Chapter eleven
Back to School
I now officially hate school. People think that because I've been on the islands has made me forget what it means to be civilized. Brother! Here's the worst thing. The pressure is on me. But Sam just ignores it. It must be a guy thing. But a lot of girls have been trying to get at him. I can trust Sam to say no to them. The problem is that those gnats can't seem to take the clue that he's not interested in them. Even teachers have been doing this to me. They talk slowly to me. Today I talked back to the teachers slowly like they're the ones who're dimwits.
"I think I understand that you think I am stupid." (Imagine that being said slowly)
The teachers were surprised that I responded the way I did. I said that if they'd treat me like a regular student I wouldn't be treating them like dimwits (even though they are dimwits). But the only thing that seems to be helping me through school is lunch. Sam and I have the same lunch shift. 3rd shift. We started learning sign language so that "nosy" people wouldn't get into our business. I told him that I'm really annoyed with the teachers treating me like I'm the "missing link."
"What do you mean by 'missing link'?" signed Sam.
"People have been trying to find a similarity between apes and man."
Sam gave me a weird look.
"I think they're the ones who're stupid not you."
"Thanks. But you and I will have to get used to those people cause there are more of those people in this world than the smart ones."
Sam shook his head.
"Hey, Sam," said one of the popular girls sitting next to him.
Sam ignored her.
"Here she is again. Doesn't that girl know I'm not interested in her?" he signed to me.
"That would be Abigail. She doesn't take 'no' for an answer."
"Obviously."
"What's wrong with him? Is he deaf?" asked Abigail.
"I'm not deaf," replied Sam.
"Well why didn't you respond to me?"
"I didn't hear you. My girlfriend is a English freak when it comes to spelling."
Abigail looked at me shocked.
"She's your girlfriend!" said Abigail.
Sam glared at her. I knew that look well enough to know that he was mad.
"You got a problem with that?" said Sam in a cold voice.
"No," whimpered Abigail.
Abigail got up and left. Sam looked at me.
"Do you think she's got the message?" he signed.
"Yes, but knowing her she's going to try to get you to break up with me."
Sam rolled his eyes.
"If she thinks I'm dumb enough to do that, she's got another thing coming. I know that hitting girls is considered a bad social standard here. But I know ways on telling a girl I'm not interested."
"That's kind of what I'm afraid of." I signed back.
Lunch was over. Sam quickly gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"For luck, Lilly." Signed Sam.
"Thanks."
Abigail tried to the silence treatment with me. I could care less. Then she tried talking to her friends about how bad I was. I was thankful that someone pointed out that I'd been stranded on the island for a year.
"How could you possibly know how bad she is if she hasn't been in school?" asked a chubby girl.
The chubby girl is Jane Bergs, nickname Ms. Professor. Everyone calls her Ms. Professor cause she's a whole lot mature than the rest of the girls in my class. She's famous cause she's been known to be wise and seems to know things that most of us don't. I like her cause she's not so judgmental. Jane is also known as a really cool person cause she's outgoing. Something I wish I could be like.
Thankfully Abigail knew to keep her mouth shut. Jane is known to chew people out. She can say things that not many of us noticed about people. If she's mad enough she can easily destroy someone's reputation. What I admire about Jane is that she's not afraid to stand up against the popular girls. She's made it clear since the first time she started going to school. Most of her life she was home-schooled. Some minutes later Jane went to my side. I knew that it was her way of saying that if anyone dared tried to say anything while she was around she'd find a way to make him or her pay.
-Lilly Hunter
I looked over at Jane.
"Why'd you do that?" I whispered to her. "About yesterday."
Jane looked at me.
"Because the way they talk makes me annoyed. You'd think these girls would grow up. But it's pretty clear they're gonna to do that kind of stuff down to their graves."
"Do you have another reason?"
"I know you're not stupid. How else did you survive as long as you did?"
"Thanks," I said, glad that at least there was someone who knew a smart person when they saw one.
"Just for clarification. Is Sam your boyfriend?"
I nodded. I think she had a look of disappointment. Then she shrugged.
"I was kind of hoping I could ask him out. But I can see why he'd rather hang out with someone he's familiar with."
I was kind of surprised. Most girls wouldn't exactly say they were interested in some guy.
"So, what was it like living on those islands? I can bet that it wasn't an everyday gig."
I nodded.
"What would you like to hear?" I asked.
"Whatever you want to talk about."
I started talking about the plants and the animals on the island. Jane made a few comments here and there but mostly she listened. I then told her that Sam didn't feel comfortable about me talking about how we met without him being there. She nodded.
"I can respect that. Even though I don't understand it. But I'll respect that."
I was glad that Jane was interested in me. I guess in some ways it was considered an honor to have Ms. Professor interested in being friends with you. Cause she's known to defend her friends fiercely. She also teaches her friends how they can defend themselves without their fists. I once heard someone say that Jane describes herself as a dragon. I then asked her why she described herself as a dragon.
She told me that in some countries they're known to be the most powerful creatures. In others they're known to be the wisest, and when they favor someone they try to make them a better person. I started to figure out that Jane doesn't jump into your life and suddenly becomes friends with you. She watches to see what the person is like. It usually takes about three months, before she starts hanging around the person. I knew right then that she's wondering if she should befriend me. I asked her why she was interested in me.
"One I don't like Abigail and her snotty attitude. Two, I think I can safely talk to you about some scientific stuff, like the big bang and other stuff like that. Three, I know that you're smart and I'd like to prove to those teachers that you can handle some things just fine."
"You make it sound like its business," I remarked.
"That's because I talk like a business person. It's kind of habitual for me."
"What does "habitual" mean?" I asked.
"I believe it means force of habit last I check. Thanks for reminding me of my fourth reason why I like you."
"What's that?"
"When you don't know something you let others know about it. Most people want to cover up the fact that they don't know everything."
"That's just plain dumb."
"Thank you! Finally someone who understands me," said Jane. "I'll talk to you later."
Yep, Jane is thinking about adding me into her collection of friends. But then again I think it'd be great. She's not like other girls. She doesn't get dirt on them. I guess that's why she's on the cool list. Boys say she doesn't play game with guys. People say she tries not to find fault with other people. I went home with Sam with a smile on my face. I told him in sign language about Jane.
"She sounds powerful."
"She is! She knows how to talk to teachers. I never thought she'd consider me of all people!"
"From what you've told me I think she wants something. But she's approaching it in a way that most people don't."
"What? I don't have anything that she'd want. Besides you being my boyfriend."
"You mean to say that she likes me too!"
He slapped himself on the face.
"I told her you were my boyfriend. She said it was cool."
"I wonder what she wants."
I shrugged shaking my head to let him know I didn't know either.
-Lilly Hunter
Today I found out Ms. Professor has 3rd shift too. She spotted me signing with Sam.
"Sign language. Cool," said Jane moving towards us. "You wouldn't mind if I sit here would you?"
I shook my head. Later on some of Jane's other friends joined us. Some of them were from different levels (I mean in social groups. You know nerds, gothic, cool kids, and a few popular kids). They started talking about different things. I was shocked that Jane was talking from one person to the next. She then started talking to me.
"I know you want something from me," I stated.
I got nervous after Jane lifted her right eyebrow. What was she going to do?
"Yeah I guess I want something from you."
"Which is?" said Sam, feeling nervous too.
"Well since you and Sam survived the island I want to know how you'd survive the island. I'm kind of interested in survival stuff. And it's in case it happens to me or my family and I."
We both sighed in relief. Jane smiled. It was a friendly smile that had some understanding.
"I know. A few of my friends were scared of me when I started talking to them. You don't have to worry about me getting dirt on you. Besides what goes around comes around, right?"
"Right," I replied.
I realized that everyone at the table stopped talking. They were listening to us. Jane must've noticed that I wasn't comfortable so she started talking to her friends about movies that were coming up. Sam looked at me surprised. After lunch was over Jane said that she'd talk to me about how to catch up on my schooling.
"And Sam too?"
Jane nodded, "Later."
"Now I see why you were making a big deal about her," whispered Sam. "Very influential."
I nodded. Sam hugged me then left me. I knew that he was doing that to let me know that he wasn't going to leave me for another girl. I think I must be getting lucky.
-Lilly Hunter
Jane gave me a list of books to read. She whispered to me that they help in Science and History. Sam asked if there were any books about math. She shook her head. Then she said that her dad was good at math.
"I'll try to get my dad to write notes and explain how certain math problems work."
Jane was known to help her friends with whatever subjects they were struggling in. When she didn't know the subject she'd look up some movies or books about them and give them to her friends. If there was one thing that I liked about Jane, it was the fact that she wanted to make sure that her friends were doing okay in school.
"Jane, how come you help your friends?" asked Sam.
"Because I believe in being loyal to my friends. Also if our friendship ends I can go on knowing that I left my friends who have some skills in surviving in the real world. Also, I know what it's like being treated badly."
She started telling us about when her family moved in her neighborhood and how badly her siblings were treated.
"They called us names saying that we were stupid all because we didn't go to school. There are other ways in getting your education besides going to public school."
I asked her how home schooling became okay. She told me that during the time when there was still segregation in the south and people trying to have blacks and whites going to the same school. There were some violence and there were some parents who didn't want their kids to face the violence, so they started to home school their kids. A lot of families had to go to court in order to make home schooling an option.
Jane then said that parents still do that. She told us that the reason why her siblings were home schooled was because of bullies and kids their age making fun of them for being different.
"I'm glad my parents had us home schooled. They wanted us to be interested in learning. For whatever reason it seems that our school system is making kids not want to learn a lot."
Lunch was over. Sam and I looked at each other. Some of her friends wanted to hang out with their other friends. Jane was cool with it. Then she started talking to her other set of friends.
"Do you know sign language?" I asked Jane.
"I'm a bit rusty on it. Yeah I know some."
I looked at Sam.
"If you were signing each other for privacy I'll respect that. Just as long as you don't talk about drugs or other bad stuff, okay," said Jane.
"We won't," Sam and I said together.
"That's good," replied Jane, she turned back to her other friends and they were talking about some other things like monsters.
Sam and I started to sign to each other. We mostly talked about how weird it was being here. I said that I felt odd being back at school. Sam said that he never thought he'd see as many people here in this school. Before I knew it Lunch was over.
-Lilly Hunter
These three weeks of school have been the worst I've been through. People started spreading rumors that I was cheating Sam. That only lasted one day because some of Jane's friends asked several people why would I cheat someone I've been with on the dinosaur islands. Rumors were that I had sex. Jane got onto Abigail about spreading that rumor. Somehow, Jane found out that Abigail spread that rumor.
"How can you, Jane, prove that Lilly didn't have sex?" said Abigail.
I thought Jane wouldn't have thought of a good answer. But she gave a cold smile.
"Well, let's wait in nine months. If Ms. Hunter doesn't show any sign of having a child then we know she didn't have sex. Or better yet we can take her to a doctor."
Abigail's face went red. I knew right then that Jane made a point that she was going to find out if the rumors were true or not. Jane ended that rumor with harsh swiftness. Other rumors started spreading but thankfully Sam and Jane sided with me. Jane would tell me to ignore the small rumors. She told me how I could handle the big and small rumors without embarrassing myself, and when she and Sam weren't around. I was glad of that. Her advice helped me a lot when I felt like exploding.
-Lilly
I knew my parents heard of the rumor of me having sex. They took me to the doctor's today. He said that I was clean. My parents sighed in relief. While we were driving home I told my parents what Jane did for me. Mom looked relieved.
"Jane Bergs?" asked my stepfather.
My parents did divorce but it wasn't bad. They did it calmly for my sake.
"Yeah."
My stepfather nodded.
"I work with her father. He's a good man. I can see why he's proud of his kids. Not many kids nowadays stand up for their friends."
I sighed. I knew very well that Abigail would try within her power to destroy my relationship with my boyfriend. I guess you could say that Jane was against this. I later found out that she believes in free agency. I saw her writing articles about it. I asked her what it was about. She told me about it passionately. So, I think Jane not only wanted to be friends with me but also wanted others to know that Abigail isn't the boss of them.
Sam was waiting for me at the porch. He was talking with my grandmother. I embraced him. I was just glad to be home. Sam smiled down.
"If I could I'd give Abigail a piece of my mind," said Sam.
I looked up at Sam.
"I always hated that girl. She thinks everything just has to go her way," I said.
"Maybe that's why Jane's on your side."
"Have you been talking to her?"
"She called and asked if you were okay."
"Oh."
Sam smiled, "She said she's been talking to her dad about convincing your parents on having you work on a G.E.D. or something like that."
"Good old Jane. Always knowing when I need help," I muttered.
My stepfather came up.
"Since you're under a lot of stress at school we thought it would be easier for you to be working on getting a G.E.D. I've been talking to Mr. Bergs. He knows some people who home school their children."
I jumped with joy. I asked mom if I could call Jane and thank her. They said it was okay. I called Jane and thanked her over a million times.
Laughing, "Glad I could be of some help, pal," replied Jane.
"I don't know how I can ever repay you," I said.
"Just be good and stay out of trouble as best as you can. Oh tell Sam I said hi."
"Jane, as a friend, could you not get into fights with Abigail?"
"That's going to be a challenge for me but I'll give it a try. But if she starts degrading people I'm gonna make sure she pays for that. And Lilly I've a question."
"Yeah?"
"What do you think of Ethan Timer? I think he's cool and, forgive me for sounding like a girly girl, I think he's cute."
I said that she should go out with him.
"Hold on, there's someone on the phone. I'll get back with you."
I was talking with Sam until Jane's voice started saying my name.
"Hey, Jane."
"Guess what!"
"What?" I asked.
"Ethan asked me out. Me of all the girls at school! I'm sounding like a girly girl don't I?"
"That's great Jane," I said.
"I'm going to have to tell my dad about Ethan. You know how dads are."
"I still think you should go out with Ethan. He's a nice guy."
"Thanks. I'll be busy so I might not call you for a week or two."
"That's okay. I'm going to be busy too."
We said goodbye. I told Sam what happened.
"I was wondering what you chicks were talking about."
I glared at him. I always hated it when he called girls 'chicks.' It feels weird. Then an idea popped into my mind. I asked my stepfather if he could deliver a message to Jane by giving it to her father. I wrote a note saying that we should have a double date sometime.
I can't wait to find out what Jane says about that.
-Lilly
