A Few Days Later

Naia's POV

It was hard adjusting back to this kind of lifestyle. I had nightmares every night and panic attacks whenever something made me remember James. Gabby said that I didn't have to go back to school right away but I had already missed a month and didn't want to be behind although I knew I already was.

Nothing changed back at school. Olivia constantly pushed me around and since she was so popular, she often could get some of the boys to beat me up. It started off as nothing, just some pushing around and knocking books out of my hand but that quickly escalated within the few days I've been back at school.

"Are you okay to walk to the firehouse after school?" Matt asked me. It took some time but I now able to look at him and talk to him.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm excited to see everybody again."

We got our stuff ready and headed out the door. I walked in between Matt and Gabby and when we got to my school, I said bye to both of them and walked in.

When the lunch bell went signalling recess, I decided to change it up and go outside instead of going to the library.

"Hey!"

I turned around and felt my stomach drop when I saw Kayden and Jeffrey, two of Olivia's side kicks who lived up there status and liked to beat me up.

"Hey, can I help you?" I tried to sound polite and not sarcastic.

Kayden came up to me and pushed me against the bleachers. Trying to break my fall, I stuck out my hand but that just ended up hurting my wrist. "I don't like that tone young lady." He said, smirking down at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Says you. What about Olivia? You guys are practically her slaves." I probably shouldn't have said that but it just kind of came out of my mouth.

Kayden's eyes narrowed at me and he started kicking me in the ribs violently. When he got tired, Jeffrey stepped in.

"Come on," Kayden said to Jeffrey as I lay on the ground in pain, "She's not worth anymore of our time."

Thank god.

As soon as the dismissal bell went, I packed up my stuff and walked to the firehouse. When I walked in, a cheer erupted and a smile broke out on my face.

"Hi everybody!" I said as people came to give me hugs.

Herrmann came and gave me a tight hug which made me wince but nobody noticed thankfully. "There's my girl!" He said and I laughed.

When I finished saying hi to everybody, I took a seat in between Shay and Brett on the couch.

"I've missed you so much! The last time I saw you, you weren't doing so well." Shay said and I remembered how Gabby had told me how Shay saved my life with CPR.

I nodded, "Yeah, thanks by the way for saving my life. I really appreciate it." I joked and Shay and Brett both laughed. Shay then gave me a super tight hug which made me give a tiny yelp of pain.

"Owww." I hissed and Shay looked at me concerned.

"Are you okay?" Shay asked.

I nodded, trying to brush it off, "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about that."

"You sure?" Brett asked, not buying it.

I nodded. Boy was I bad at lying.

"I don't believe you." Shay said, crossing her arms and giving me a look.

I withered under both her and Brett's gaze and gave in, "Okay fine, I'll tell you what happened but just don't tell Matt or Gabby okay?"

"What? Why?" Brett asked confused.

I shook my head, "You have to promise."

They both looked at each other for a moment before answering. "Alright deal. We both promise not to tell Gabby or Casey no matter what." Shay said and we pinky promised.

I sighed, "Some boys beat me up at school today. Kicked me around and pushed me into the bleachers."

Brett gasped, "What? We have to Gabby!"

I gave her a look and she sighed. "Naia, why don't you want to tell Gabby or Casey?"

"Is this the first time?" Shay asked and I shook my head.

Brett looked torn but I gave her a look that said 'you promised'.

"At least let Brett and I take a look at it." Shay said and I hesitated before nodding.

"Fine."

Shay and Brett got up. "Come on, let's go somewhere more private."

They led me to the bathroom where Shay asked me to lift up my shirt. Reluctantly, I lifted my shirt to reveal the yellow, green, and purple bruises that had formed on my ribs.

"Yikes, those were some pretty hard kicks." Brett said, putting pressure on them which made me hiss with pain.

Shay shook her head, "Does it hurt to breathe?"

"Well, only if I take deep breathes." I replied honestly. At that moment, Stella walked in and stopped in her tracks when she saw my bruises.

I wanted to melt on the spot with embarrassment.

"What happened?" She asked, coming over.

"Nothing." I said quickly. "I mean, something, but it's nothing." I mentally kicked myself for being such an idiot for saying that.

Shay tried to cover for me, "Stella, can you grab some ice from the freezer and be discreet about it?" Stella gave her a strange look but left anyways.

"I'm sorry." I said dropping my shirt and covering my face with my hands.

Brett put a hand on my shoulder in a comforting way, "Hey, it's okay. None of this is your fault but you might have some broken ribs. Can I see that wrist?"

I hadn't really played any attention to my wrist all day so when I revealed a swollen and purple wrist, I let out an 'ugh' sound.

"Definitely sprained, if not broken." Shay said and Brett nodded her agreement. "We gotta get you to Chicago Med."

I immediately started protesting, "No, Gabby'll know something's up. Absolutely not." I shook my head stubbornly.

"Naia," Brett said squatting down to my level, "I know you don't want to but it's necessary. Broken ribs can lead to complications which is not what you need right now."

I stayed silent and then finally nodded. "I won't have to lay on the stretcher will I?"

Brett and Shay exchanged glances.

"We can prop it up so you can see more than just the ceiling of the ambo." Brett offered and I smiled.

"Okay."