The car ride to Dr. Sherman is quiet. No one talks. I'm too lost in my own thoughts. "Noodle, we're here." Mom says. I nod and follow her in. We walk right into the doctors office. I sit in the middle of the couch with my parents on each side. "Good morning Alison. My name is Dr, Sherman. I'm here to talk. We can do this however you like, your parents can stay for all of the session, some of the session or none of the session. We can talk about the things that happened in Cuba, or at school or even the latest fashion gossip, though I doubt I will know much about that." Dr. Sherman says. I actually smiled at the fashion comment. "I don't want to do this." I say and I look to dad, "Can we go home?" I ask. "Sure. Noodle. Thank you Dr. Sherman" dad says as he stands up and shakes the doctors hand. As we walk to the car I hear mom and dad chatting between them but don't know and don't care what they are talking about. "Alison, I want you to know that you don't have to talk to dr. Sherman until you are ready. You may not have wanted to talk today but you will talk". dad says. "When can I go back to school?" I ask. I need the routine that is school. "Actually mom and I wanted to talk to you about that, I called Dean Ward and she wants you to come back only when you think you are ready." Dad said. "Then i want to go tomorrow" I say. We pull up to the house and I get out of the car and head inside and up to my room.
"How was it? You weren't there long." Stevie asked. "I don't know what mom and dad are thinking. Like Dr. Sherman seems nice enough but I don't want them there. I don't want to deal with the follow up questions that come with having them around. I would have rather had you there" I said. "I will go with you next time if you want." Stevie said. "Really? Thanks. You wont ask weird follow up questions". I said. "Want to binge the Vampire movies series? I want to not think about things for a while?" I ask and Stevie nods. "I'll make popcorn." she says.
I have no idea what time it is when pizza shows up on the table in front of us. "Dinner for the movie bingers" dad says. "Thanks we say". After the last movie, I look at my phone. It's almost midnight. "I feel so gross. We ate too many snacks. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed." I said.
-MS-
I wake up the next morning and get ready for school and walk downstairs. "Noodle, you're going to school?" Mom asks. "I'm bored here and I need to get back." I say. Mom looks at dad. "Okay, well if you start to get tired or feel sick or your in pain, call me and I will come get you right away okay?" Dad says. "Promise".
I get to school and hug my friends. They are noticeably relieved to see me. I am relived to see them. I am happiest to see my best friend Simon. He gives me the biggest strongest hug, holds out his arm and I grab it and we walk to chemistry. I'm happy to be back to a bit of routine. Once we were left to work on the lesson Ms. Johnstone pulls me aside. "Welcome back Ali. Please take all the time you need with your assignments. If you need help with any of the missed assignments please let me know." she says as she squeezes my shoulder. We walk back into class and I sit beside Simon. "What was that about?" he whispered. "Just Ms. J trying to be nice."
On my way from chemistry to law, I get stopped in the hallway with a tap on the shoulder. "Ahem, Alison, you are hereby ticketed for being in violation of the schools uniform dress code. Your hot pink cast is distracting to others." Madison Torrance says with a smirk. Madison is the head of the student government and her dad is the Governor of Nebraska and not a fan of Elizabeths. "How does my cast violate the code?" I ask. "Uniform code 3 section 4, accessories and additions. All accessories should be either white or black in colour and should not be outwardly visible. They must be plain and must be removed when asked by a member of staff or the governing body. Any additions to the uniform require express written permission from the Dean or the assistant dean prior to wearing it." She says.
"A cast isn't an accessory" I say. "Doesn't matter. It's distracting. Your case will be determined in student court on Wednesday afternoon" Madison says, turns around and walks away. "You suck Madison" I say to no one.
The rest of the day was a blur of anger. I was starting to get a massive headache during last period. "Ms. Cooper, can I go to the nurse? I'm not feeling well." "yes".
I'm sitting in the nurses office when dad walks in. He grabs my backpack and leans down and kisses me on the forehead. "Come on Noodle. I already signed you out. Let's go home."