AN: I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you. The positive response I've gotten in regards to this story is remarkable and I thank you all for the feedback and support. Just so you all know, there will be either nine or ten chapters to this depending how I write the upcoming events. I hope you're as excited as I am!
On to chapter five!
"Again?" Barry asked with a small laugh as Johnnie sat down across from him at his usual art room table. She scrunched her nose playfully and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You're one to talk," she countered, rubbing her tired eyes, "You're here too." Barry held up a finger, a sly smile on his lips. "Touche. However, I am here by choice today and not as a punishment. Then again, is the art room ever really a punishment? I wanted to finish my masterpiece Lady in Grey Hat. Before its due date next week and I have nothing better to do."
Johnnie had picked up a long time ago that when Barry said 'I have nothing better to do' he really meant 'I don't want to go home'. So far Johnnie had met eleven out of twenty-three personalities and some of them, especially Jade, weren't afraid to talk about the abuse Kevin endured at home. Johnnie felt like she needed to be doing more but Child Protective Services had been called once and their investigation had been inconclusive due to the fact that Kevin just wouldn't speak up. He hid from the light most of the time and Barry had explained that each one of his alters were created to help him in some sort of way. Each one was added protection against his mother. Johnnie had yet to meet Kevin face to face but she was patiently waiting for the day she'd get the honor to.
Barry's medium of choice today was paint and although the painting wasn't quite finished yet, it seemed to be mostly grayscale. What stood out to Johnnie most though was that he'd painted the fur coat the woman was wearing bubble gum pink. It really made the image pop. Barry's art was exceptional. She'd thought that from the beginning.
"So, you going to tell me what landed you in the school prison yard this time? This is the sixth time in two months. Don't tell me you fell asleep like the last five times. I'm starting to lose faith in your creativity." She lightly punched him in the arm for his remark.
"I can't help it, okay? I'm up studying most of the night. Either that or homework. Joys of the advanced track I guess."
"Uh-huh," Barry said in a slow, quizzical tone without looking up from his work, "What exactly are you struggling with that has you studying all night?" Johnnie groaned and put her head down on the table.
"Math. Have I mentioned how much I hate math? Because I hate math. I used to be so good at it but Algerbra is just so foreign and confusing."
"Uh-huh," Barry said again, flicking his brush against the canvas before setting it down to brace his hands on the table.
"I'll tell you right now baby girl, Math is not my strong suite. Never has been but I will not sit by and let my best girl suffer. Can you be at the library after school tomorrow? I think I know someone who can help."
Johnnie walked a little slower than normal as she entered the library, headed back toward the study rooms. Barry had given her little to no information about who she was to be meeting her but she really needed to get her grade up. She entered the room, the one with the reserved sign on the back and closed the door behind her. The person already at the table stood up, a soft pleasant smile on their face. Johnnie returned the smile a bit nervously and stepped forward. She wasn't aware she'd be meeting an alter today, but she wasn't disappointed.
"Hello dear," she said, her hands cupped in front of her. She wore a simple black turtleneck and flowy black skirt, a gold chain hanging loosely from her neck. "You must be Johnnie. I've heard so much about you. My name is Patricia." She out stretched her hand and Johnnie took it, shaking gently.
"Barry tells me you're needing some tutoring in the mathematical field. I'd like to assist with that today if you feel comfortable." Johnnie nodded shyly, now holding onto her backpack straps.
"Oh, no need to be timid my dear. I will cause you no harm. Com and sit." She gestured grandly to the seat adjacent to the one she stood by. Johnnie took her seat and pulled out her math textbook, homework and several pencils. Patricia held out her hand."
"May I see that, please?" she asked, her simple smile still on her lips. Johnnie handed her the material and she began flipping through it quietly. Johnnie shifted, feeling slightly self-conscious.
"I know it must seem silly that I'm struggling so bad with this but I'm trying my best."
"Nonsense. Algebra can certainly be tricky. Math in general can be. I just so happens that its my favorite subject and I've had many many years of practice." She reached over and placed her hand on top of Johnnies. "Do not be so hard on yourself. We will get through this together."
The lesson began and although Johnnie struggled quite a bit in the beginning, Patricia had so many tips and tricks that by the end of the two hours they spent together, she had it down. Her mom texted her to let her know she was there to pick her up and Johnnie kindly thanked Patricia, slinging her backpack over one shoulder as the woman pulled her into a hug.
"Oh, it was no trouble at all darling. However, if I may say something before you go, I feel like you will be a rather good influence for Kevin. I'm glad you've come into his life because quite simply, you're good for him. Let's hope it stays this way."
Johnnie jumped to attention when Jade came storming in, her gym shoes making loud thuds on teh cement flooring.
"Hey traitor," she hissed, holding the tray of Johnnie's breakfast tightly in both hands, "Soups on." Without warning, she let go of the sides and the tray clattered to the floor, landing on its bottom. Oatmeal splattered everywhere and he daily apple rolled away, out of her reach. All that was left was maybe two spoon-fulls of the cereal and her bottle of water.
"Oops," she said sarcastically, a mean smirk on her face.
"Hey!" Johnnie yelled, standing up the best she could and narrowing her eyes. "What the fuck was that for?" She wasn't afraid of Jade. She never had been although they never really saw eye to eye.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, rolling her eyes, "My hands get shaky when I have low blood sugar. Maybe I need this food more than you do." She picked up the apple, rubbed it on her shirt and took a bite, infuriating Johnnie further.
"Bullshit! You did that on purpose because you don't like me."
"You're damn right I did," she snapped back, kicking the remaining food away from her. "You're already in the dog house so really, who is going to stop me? I hope the Beast eats you for breakfast." Those last words were so taunting but Johnnie was far from intimidated.
"Oh really?" Johnnie countered, "Well if you weren't using Kevin's body to be nothing more than a bitch, I'd choke you with a damn spoon." Jade scoffed, balling up her fists.
"Oh, so now you care about Kevin?"
"I've always cared about Kevin! Always! Stop blaming me for something I had no control over." Angry tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. Then Jade's face slightly contorted and Patricia took over the light once more.
"That's quite enough Jade. Although I can see her point, I do apologize for her behavior. I will ensure you get new breakfast." Before she left the room completely, she turned to Johnnie and said, "If I may say something before I go, I am quite disappointed. I had such high hopes for you." Then, she was gone.