Naia's POV
Matt and Gabby let me skip school the next day. It was a Friday anyways so it was kind of like having a long weekend. Christmas was coming up and all of Chicago new that. Lights were going up on houses, and shops were changing their themes.
"When should we get a Christmas tree?" Matt asked Gabby.
I perked up, "Christmas tree?"
"Have you ever had a Christmas tree?" Gabby asked me, skipping over Matt's question.
I nodded, "But we were never allowed to touch it. Ellie told me that all the kids in her class would talk about decorating the Christmas tree so when Mr. Samual brought one home, she asked if we could decorate it..." I trailed off as the memory came back to me.
"Please, can we decorate it?" Ellie pleaded. Like I said, she was the brave one, always speaking up.
Mr. Samual pushed Ellie away from the tree, "No. I'd be an idiot to let you and or any of you decorate this tree. You guys always have a way of screwing stuff up. You are not to touch this tree or be anywhere near it or there will be consequences. Got it?"
We all nodded glumly except Ellie who narrowed her eyes.
"You're an idiot without letting us decorate the tree." She said loudly, looking Mr. Samual in the eye.
I nudged her in the side, "Ellie." I whisper screamed.
"Why you little..." Mr. Samual lunged at Ellie but I let out a tiny scream and grabbed him by the arm trying to pull him away. He got angry at me now and then shoved me into the wall and then kicked me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me.
"You okay?" Matt asked me. I was breathing heavily and was starting to feel dizzy. I felt myself start to wobble and Matt stepped in, scooping me up in his arms. I was starting to become hysterical now.
Matt put me down on the couch, careful of my ribs and Gabby sat down next to me, holding my hand.
"Naia, slow deep breathes for me okay?" She asked and I nodded. I tried to follow her instructions and focus on her talking to me and slowly my breathing returned to normal.
"I'll get some water." Matt said and left.
I leaned against Gabby and felt her arm wrap around my shoulder.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled quietly.
Gabby shook her head, "No, no, don't be sorry."
"It's like I was reliving it." I whispered, leaning against Gabby who stroked my head. "Do I have to go back to Monday?"
"You can't avoid it forever." Gabby replied.
I nodded, "I know, but I hate showing up everyday. I hate waking up every morning and know that's what I'm walking into."
"I'm so sorry." Gabby whispered. "I can't imagine what that's like."
I decided that this would be a good moment to change the subject. "Gabby?" I asked, catching her attention.
"Yes sweetie?" She replied and I continued.
"You won't let them take me away from you and Matt again will you? I don't wanna leave." I said closing my eyes. Images of James flashed through my head and I opened my eyes again.
Gabby shook her head, "No, absolutely not."
"You promise?" I asked, sticking out my pinky. Gabby nodded and interlocked her pinky with mine. We shook and I felt satisfied with that.
Matt came back with a glass of water and I thanked him. I drank the whole glass. After being locked up for about a month in a bathroom, you really became grateful for the small things.
"Am I allowed to go with you guys to work tomorrow?" I asked as Matt took a seat on the other side of me.
Gabby nodded, "Matt and I talked with Chief and he said that as long as you stay out of the way, you're allowed to come."
"I'll stay out of the way." I promised and Matt gave me one of his signature noogies.
I scowled at him and Gabby laughed.
"If Mr. Samual hadn't pushed me into the coffee table that morning, you would have never met me." I said. It was rather random but it was true.
Gabby nodded, "That's very true. Then Ellie would have never had to call 911 and Brett and I would have never gotten that call."
"And they would still be alive." I whispered. "James was right. I am the reason they're dead."
Matt shook his head. "Absolutely not. It's not your fault." He said without a doubt.
"This is one of the rare times I agree with Matt." Gabby said. "None of this is your fault."
I looked at them doubtfully, "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Gabby said and we left it at that.