Authors Note: Okay, I know it's been a while, and I originally planned to leave it at only nine chapters or parts, but I decided to expand it since I thought of a new way to end it. So, enjoy. There may be some errors, so excuse that. Thanks for reading!

One week later…

Janelle was finally permitted to return back to school. She had been told that she had to use crutches for about a month, meaning she would miss the entire rest of the season.

"Mom, I'm telling you, I forgot who was the one who did this to me," Janelle lied. She knew exactlywho it was, but was she the type of person to snitch? No.

"Honey, was it one of your classmates?"

"Mom, I don't remember. It's done with, okay? It's over with. I'm fine." Janelle grabbed her basketball windbreaker before slipping on her backpack and grabbing her crutches.

Janelle was pissed, to say the least. She wanted vengeance. She wanted to avenge what Ashley did to her. Her frustration was also towards Aaron. The fact that he didn't do anything when Ashley kissed him proved enough for her to realize that he wasn't worth it.

As her mom dropped her off to school, the bell for class had already rung as she walked slowly up the stairs, her crutches underneath her arm. Once that was accomplished, she sighed before making her way to class. Janelle decided to ignore the trip all the way down the hall to her locker as she had much difficulty with opening the door to Nathan's room.

After a few more minutes, the pledge finishing over the intercom, she opened the door as she rested her crutches to the side and used her good leg to put down the stand for the door to keep open.

Nathan immediately noticed her as he stood to help her inside. "Janelle, it's nice of you to finally join us." He flashed her a smile before resting his hand on her lower back to help her to her seat.

"Yeah. I just love this class, I couldn't be away any longer," Janelle said sarcastically.

"Well, it's good to have you back, Miss Smith." Nathan replied before flashing her a genuine smile. He walked back to the front of the class and began his lecture. Every chance he could get, he'd look at Janelle, a small smile formin on his lips.

The entire classroom was quiet due to the book work that was assigned. However, Janelle couldn't concentrate. Her mind was everywhere. She'd stare blankly at the ground, at the wall, even at Nathan, but only one thought remained in her mind: To avenge Ashley.

Nathan removed his glasses, taking notice of Janelle. He stood up and walked over to her desk as he leaned down to whisper. "I need for you to stay after class. I'll write you a pass, it's important."

Janelle was broken out of her reverie once Nathan began to speak lowly into her ear. She nodded in response and attempted to do work.

The bell rung, indicating that first period was over. She stayed after, just as Nathan said. He smiled and nodded at the departing students before shutting the door after the last one.

"How are you feeling?" Nathan asked as he walked up to her desk.

"Horrible. I mean, it hurts a bit, but I'm out for the season." Janelle sighed. She was formulating different ways to try and get back at Ashley, but none were as idiotic as what she did to her.

"I know. I need to ask you something, and be honest with me, alright?" Nathan grabbed a chair and placed it in front of her desk, his hand resting on her good knee.

"Uh, yeah sure. What is it?" Janelle glanced down at his hand briefly. She swallowed slightly as she yearned for more touch, more phyiscal contact.

"Was the shooting gang related?"

"What? Seriously?" Janelle shook her head and stood up, grabbing her crutches as she began to slowly walk her way out on one foot, accompanied by her crutches. "You don't need to write me a note. I don't care if I'm late."

Nathan ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He followed after her and stood by the door so that she couldn't leave. "I'm asking a question. Now answer it."

"Get out of my way, Mr. Gardner," she spat. Her anger and irritation rising as she gripped the handles of her crutches, her knuckles turning white.

"No. Are you in a gang, Janelle?" Nathan held his ground as he tightened his jaw, noticing how irritated she was, how frustrated she was.

"No! Why in the hell would I be in a gang? You want to know who shot me, Mr. Gardner? Ask the girls on the team, ask Aaron, because I sure as hell am not going to snitch." She pushed him aside with as much strength she had before walking out with much difficulty, making sure that the door was slammed shut.

Nathan sighed heavily before walking back to his desk in frustration. He wanted to know who had caused her this much pain, this much distress, but how can he do that when she wasn't going to help him?

Practice…

As practice began, the girls on the team warming up, the gym doors opened. She took her time to walk to where the team was before throwing her backpack on the ground.

Nathan wasn't at practice yet and Janelle took this opportunity to speak with her team. "Hey. If Gardner asks who shot me, please don't say a word." They all nodded as Nathan walked in, his face blank as he glanced at Janelle.

"Okay, girls. Grab a ball and a partner. Do some passing drills for about ten minutes." Nathan nodded at the girls before walking over to Janelle and motioned for her to follow him out to the foyer.

Janelle obliged and followed, somewhat agitated with him still. "What?" She asked as he led her to a dark corner. She leaned against her crutches as her eyes locked with his in an intense gaze.

"I just asked you a simple question and now you're mad at me?" Nathan asked as he stuck his hands in his pockets and looked deeply into her eyes. He yearned to touch her, to kiss her, to just make her feel like she was safe, but he couldn't. Not now. And maybe not ever. There would always be that thirty year age gap.

"No, I'm appalled that you even had to ask it, Mr. Gardner. Just because I got shot doesn't immediately mean that I'm in a gang. Cops get shot all the time, does that mean they're in a gang?" Janelle rolled her eyes and looked down at her feet absently, just being in presence made her more irritated than she already was.

"Janelle, I'm sorry. It's my duty as a teacher to ask." He reached for her hand, but she moved away. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he rested a hand on the wall to keep her trapped. "I am sorry."

She kept her eyes downcast, totally oblivious to when he leaned in close. Janelle realized that she was now at his mercy, nowhere to go and nothing to say. His scent was intoxicating as she resisted the urge to pull him closer.

Nathan hooked a finger under her chin, their eyes locking as he invaded her personal space. "I'm sorry, Janelle. I just- I want to fix this. I need to find out who did this to you." He caressed her cheek, his hand cupping it as he looked deeply into her eyes with a pleading look.

Janelle tightened her jaw and nodded before stepping to the side with much help from her crutches. "I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Gardner."

"No. You're not." Nathan rested a hand on her hip to keep her from moving before he leaned in to press his lips against hers. She hesitated for a moment before kissing back. They heard a faint noise of doors opening before pulling away quickly.

He pecked her lips once more and flashed her a small smile. "I'll figure this out. Trust me." With that being said, he left to go back to the gym with her following after. She grabbed her backpack and watched the entire team practice.

Much to her surprise, Janelle saw Aaron walk in as their eyes met from afar. She instantly looked away to watch the team run over plays. Nathan walked Aaron's every move as the boy approached Janelle.

"Hey.." His voice was low as she attempted to ignore him. He tapped her shoulder but she instantly moved away from his touch. "What the hell did I do?"

Janelle turned around, anger and irritation once again evident. "What did you do? You saw me get shot! What did you do, Aaron? You left. I was bleeding right there and all you could do was leave? No. I'm done. I don't want to be with a guy who can't even protect me." She moved away from him before feeling a large hand grasp her upper arm in a tight grip.

"Are you kidding me right now? She had a gun. What did you expect me to do?"

She glanced down at his hand before looking deeply into his eyes, the frustration reflecting in her own. "I expected you to at least stay long enough to make sure I was okay. Now, get your hands off of me." His grip tightened as his eyes narrowed. Aaron pulled her close, causing her crutches to fall to the hardwood floor.

"I came here to tell you that I'm with her now. You lay one hand on her and you'll regret it."

Janelle let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes, bringing up the courage to push him away. "I said take your hands off of me. I know the one thing I regret is you. Now let go of me."

"We could've been good together." Aaron finally released her before stepping back and looking her over with a disgusted look.

"Yeah, well, I'm so glad that that's not happening, nor will it ever happen." She turned around and bent down to reach for her crutches before feeling his hands on her butt. "Aaron!" Janelle stood up straight and turned around to slap him across the face, her hand connecting with his cheek.

Aaron tightened his jaw as he pulled on her wrist to bring her flush against his chest. "Get the hell off of me!" Janelle's teammates stopped what they were doing and glanced at them both. Nathan's anger rose as he ran over to them and pulled Aaron away.

"I think it's time for you to go home, Aaron." Nathan resisted the urge to punch the kid in the face, well aware that he'd get fired for that.

Janelle shook her head and grabbed her crutches from the ground and began to walk away.

"Girls, practice is over. I'll see you all tomorrow." Nathan ran up to Janelle as the girls on the team began to leave the gym. "I'm taking you home." He didn't give her any time to respond before he placed a hand on her lower back and began leading her out to his car.

"Mr. Gardner, can you stop? You have no idea how much I hate this place, more so than I did when I first got here. I just- I just want to leave." They reached his car, her back against it as she leaned forward and cried into his shoulder.

Nathan looked around before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. He ran one hand up and down her back soothingly to calm her down. "Shh, it'll be okay, Janelle. It'll be okay." He kissed her temple and reassured her, hoping that she'd be convinced.

However, someone was watching them from afar, a conniving smile splaying on their lips before pulling out of the parking lot and leaving.