- Chap 21 The Day After

Carey woke up with the alarm clock. She sighed and rolled out of bed. About a half an hour later she was walking to her bus stop. she lip sang to the songs as she walked. When she got there Jackson was waiting for her. She sighed.

"Hey friend," he said smiling.

"Hi," Carey responded.

"What's wrong you seem kinda out of it?"

"Yeah well it's early and yesterday was really crazy."

"What do you mean?" the Who asked. Carey sighed running her fingers through her hair.

"Well, my friend didn't come to school yesterday on account that he was overly depressed. So me and my other friend had to go and help him it was hard to see him like that. I really don't want to go to school today because the kid that caused the whole problem is in one of my classes," she said wishing the bus would come so she could see if Jojo was on. The Who let out a long whistle.

"Wow that is crazy," they were silent for a while. "Um Carey?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you say friend?" he asked and Carey sighed.

"Yes."

"Um, I thought you didn't make friends easily." He said hesitantly, he didn't want to upset her, in truth he really did what to be her friend.

"Yeah I did say that," She sighed.

"Are we friends?" he asked

"I don't know," she replied looking away. She was now wishing that she had never said anything.

"But your friends with those other guys so why can't we be friends?" Jackson said looking down at her.

"Well, stuff happened and I don't know, it was just easer saying friend than trying to explain it." she blurted out finally. But it wasn't what she felt was true. She considered James and Jojo more than just classmates, but at the same time she didn't know them enough to call them friends. "How about they're acquaintances."

"Oh okay. Then what am I?" he asked.

"An almost acquaintance." She replied.

"I can live with that, for now," Jackson said laughing. Just then the bus pulled up and they got on.

As Carey walked up the stairs she was happy to see that Jojo was sitting in the seat.

"Can I sit with you?" she asked. He turned away from the window and looked at her for a second before nodding. "Thanks" she said and sat down. "How are you?" Jojo shrugged and turned his attention back out the window.

I can't say anything to her, just having her sit next to me is embarrassing, she probably thinks I'm a freak after what happened yesterday. She's the first girl I actually talked to in years and I already messed up. Maybe I really am made to be a loner, I have no people skills. Jojo thought sighing.

I wonder what I did wrong. I don't know he's probably still getting over what happened the past two days. I'm glad he came to school today. Carey thought. Ahh what am I thinking, why should I be looking forward to seeing him? He's just a boy in my class, there's nothing significant in that, I mean we hardly talk to each other. whatever, it'll all make sense later, I guess.

The bus pulled up to the school and everyone got off. Carey and Jojo walked silently up to the school yard and were met by James.

"Hey guys, Jojo what's wrong?" he asked. Jojo shook his head.

"I'll tell you later." He mumbled.

"Okay well anywho, Amy and I figured out the revenge plan but she has it and she missed the bus so I guess she's just going to show us at lunch!" Jojo looked at him confused.

"What plan?" James laughed ruffling his cousin's hair. Jojo blew it back into place.

"Don't worry 'cuz we got you all covered. Just know nothing goes unpunished." He laughed again a little more darkly. They walked over to the tree and sat down.

"Can't wait for tomorrow!" James said flopping down. "Did you guys get permission?" Jojo nodded.

"Let me ask right now." Carey said pulling out her Whophone. She text something and slid it back into her pocket, only to pull it out again a second later. "she said I can!" she smiled.

"Awesome!" he said about five minutes later the bell rang. "See you later Carey," the boys waved as they parted.

"So now can you tell me what's wrong?" James asked. Jojo sighed knowing he couldn't get out of it. he pulled out his Whophone and text something to James. His Whophone vibrated and he read it.

The whole thing about yesterday. I still feel weird about it, freaked out about what's going 2 happen when I C Bradley, the fact that the only girl that I have talked 2 in years has now seen me cry 4 the 1st time in years! I've been talking more & it's strange I don't know Y. I'm not use 2 having people around me. U no I'm more of a loner I'm not good this so much is changing & I'm not ready its freaking me out!

James read Jojo's text and sighed. Man he has so much on his mind no wonder he's quiet all the time he has to solve all that.

Well dude if U ever need help I'm here & from what I saw yesterday Carey would help U 2. I can tell she cares I don't think Carey thinks UR weird 4 crying & don't worry about yesterday everything will work out we have a plan! =)

Jojo read this and James could have sworn he saw his pail cheeks flush with color for a second. He smiled. Suddenly both of them were slammed against the wall. James cursed it could only be one Who.

"Hello Bradley." He sighed.

"I didn't say you could say anything?" He hissed hitting James's head on the wall.

"No, but you can't make me quiet either." He said defiantly.

"Oh really? What if I say that if you don't shut up I hurt your stupid little cousin here?" Brad said his friends laughed. James sighed.

"Like you're not going to do that anyway." He muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"That's what I thought." He turned his attention to Jojo. "I didn't expect to see you today, Nobody." He spun him around. Jojo didn't raise his gaze from floor. "What are you giving up already I haven't done anything yet." They laughed.

Don't do anything, stand completely still. It's a reaction he wants. But he's not going to get one. I've been silent and emotionless for so long why start now. I can beat him by doing absolutely nothing. Jojo thought as he stared at the tiled floor.

"Have I broken you for good? I thought that you might say something after what happened the other day. Or is it because your little freak of a girlfriend's not here to be impressed by you standing up to the mean and nasty bully?"Bradley mocked pinching Jojo's cheeks. "You really are stupid." He stood up. "but I have a present for you, do you want it?" he asked

No, Jojo said wordlessly. His face turned with the force of Brad's hand slapping it. He almost fell but caught himself. He steadied himself against the wall. I hate you. he thought darkly as he straightened.

"You've improved; all that means is its going to more fun to watch you fail." Bradley laughed harshly and left with a kick to James shin. The red and blue Who grabbed his leg in pain.

"Ow! Jerk!" he shouted after them. Jojo turned and walked away.

I need to get out of this hell called a school. He thought wishing he was in the observatory.

Carey walked into Journalism dreading the moment. She knew that an encounter with Bradley was unavoidable.

If only he could just drop it, then everything might be okay. She thought as she slid into the seat next to Jojo. "Hi, how are you," she whispered. Jojo shrugged and continued writing something she couldn't see. She sighed and pulled out her binder. Taking out several sheets of paper she place it on the desk in front of her. She wrote down something and passed it to Jojo.

Is this going to be the only way I ever get you to talk at school? If so then I might as well just create a notebook for our conversations. =)

Jojo sighed and responded.

Sorry but all the talking I have been doing lately is actually uncommon. I don't know if they told you but I don't really talk. Sorry.

James told me about your silence. Um is there any real reason you stopped talking?

Did James ask you to ask me that?

No, he said he had asked you but you didn't say anything. I was just curious. I want sort of silent before and I was just wondering why you did.

Oh, okay then. Why did you stop talking?

Why did you stop talking?

Jojo sighed and set the pencil down. This was harder then he liked it to be. It stayed untouched for several minutes. Carey took it back.

If I tell you why I was so quiet, will you tell me your reason?

Jojo stared at her words, his mind moving at the speed of sound. What do I say? That's a secret that no one should ever know. It's the only thing I have that is still unknown. If I voice those words then everything will fall apart. I was planning on taking it to my grave. But then again it's a chance to get to know Carey, to finally have some of the mystery reviled, I have questions that I wish I had the answers to, but is it really worth telling her my darkest secret?

Maybe. Does this include your story about how/why you knew what to do yesterday?

If that's what it takes yes.

Jojo sighed and looked over at her. She was staring at him her eyes warm. He blinked. He took the paper. And shakily wrote his answer.

Yes.

AN- AHH, is Jojo really going to tell Carey his secrets and what will she do when she finds out. And what of Carey's story what's the mystery behind the little Who? Hint it's something that will leave Jojo breathless.