Naia's POV

"You wanted to see me, Mrs. Smith?" I asked. It was after school and I was supposed to walk to the firehouse. However, Mrs. Smith had told me she wanted to see me during History this morning so here I was.

Mrs. Smith and gestured to the chair in front of her desk. I took that as a hint to sit down so I took a seat. Mrs. Smith filed through some papers before handing me one. I could tell it was the history test from yesterday and immediately knew what this was about.

I looked at the mark in the top right corner and my heart dropped when I saw my mark. It wasn't a great mark, it wasn't even a pass.

38%.

I had never done this badly on a test before. I had never even failed a test before.

Well, now I have.

Unsure of what to say, I didn't say anything.

"I know what happened," Mrs. Smith said gently. "With all things considered, I'm going to let you retake the test."

I looked up and shook my head. "No," I said, calmly and confidently.

Mrs. Smith looked at me as if I had just grown another head, "Naia, I never let people retake tests. It's a second chance. Study tonight and you can write it tomorrow after school. I just ask that you get a parent or guardian to sign it."

"No, I'm not going to rewrite the test," I repeated, trying to clarify.

"Naia, I strongly suggest that you rewrite the test. If tomorrow is not a good day, we can organize that. I know you're a good student and with all things considered, I think it's fair. If it's because someone has to sign it-"

I cut her off, "No, I'll get it signed, but I won't rewrite it."

Standing up, I shoved the test into my backpack and heaved the bag onto one shoulder.

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't want your pity."

And with that, I turned and left.

Was this a surprise to me? Not really. When I was writing the test, I knew I wasn't going to do well. Right? I didn't remember much of writing the test. While I was walking to the firehouse, I pulled the test back out of my backpack and looked it over.

Now I knew why I did so bad. I didn't even answer about 70% of the questions. Sighing, I stuffed the paper back into my bag and continued walking. Matt and Gabby were going to be so disappointed in me.

I was so caught up in this test mark, I had no idea that this was going to be the start of a downward spiral.

"Hey Munchkin!" Matt greeted as I walked through the doors. I smiled and waved before taking off my jacket and hanging it on the coat rack. "How was school?"

Well, I failed my history test, but besides that, everything's normal.

"Fine, um, is Gabby here?" I asked.

"Just got a call, why?" Matt asked.

I bit my lip, "Uh, it's just when she gets back I have to tell you two something."

Matt nodded his head slowly, clearly curious about what I had to tell them. "Okay, I'll tell her when she gets back."

I thanked him before deciding to do my homework in one of the conference rooms instead. It was quieter there and maybe I could clear my head from some of this madness.

While I was writing my science essay on heat transfers, I heard the door open and shut so I looked up to see Sylvie walk in. I knew now that Gabby must have been back from the call and I'd have to tell them.

"Hey," Sylvie said, taking a seat across from me. "Is everything okay?"

I knew I could trust Sylvie so I decided to tell her.

"I failed my history test," I mumbled, looking down at my science essay. "I don't want Gabby and Matt to be disappointed in me."

Sylvie took my hands into hers and held them. When I didn't look up, she tilted my chin so I had to look at her.

"Naia," Sylvie said, "They could never be disappointed in you. You're so brave, and you've come so far. I know how proud they are of you. Sure, this test isn't the greatest thing but I'm sure you ask, your teacher will let you rewrite it."

I bit my lip, Sylvie will probably think that I'm crazy for turning down that opportunity. "She already said I could rewrite it."

"That's great!" Sylvie exclaimed, "See, you'll do better the second time. I can help you study if you want."

"But I said no." I blurted out. "I told her I didn't want to rewrite the test. I'm not doing it."

Sylvie looked confused, "Why?"

I sighed, "She said it herself, she never lets anyone rewrite tests. It's only because of what happened, and I don't know, I guess I don't want her pity. I'm not rewriting it."

Sylvie nodded her head, "Alright, that's your decision, but you're still going to tell Matt and Gabby right?"

"I have to get the test signed," I explained, "So yeah, I'm going to tell them."

Ambo 23, medical assist at 639 Kinzie Street.

"I think Severide is running drills with Squad so this would be a good time to catch Gabby and Matt alone," Sylvie suggested and I nodded.

I smiled at her, "Thank you."

Sylvie grinned back, "No problem."

I gathered my homework and shoved it all back into my backpack. While I walked back to the common room, I tried to figure out what I would say to them.

Hey, I failed my history test.

No, that wasn't right.

What else was I supposed to say though?

To my relief, the common room was empty besides Matt and Gabby and when they saw me peek my head in, a smile grew on both their faces, making me feel even worse.

"There she is!" Matt said, "What was it that you wanted to tell us?"

I went over and sat down across from them, looking down at the paper in my hand.

"Is everything okay?" Gaby asked, concerned.

38%

"I... I failed my history t-test," I stammered and pushed the test into their hands.

The cat was out of the bag.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, clearly on the verge of tears. "I don't know, I just...I don't know."

"What happened?" Matt asked, flipping through the test.

I bit the inside of my cheek, deciding whether to tell them the truth.

"Naia, you can tell us," Gabby said gently, and I looked at them, tears in my eyes.

"I didn't remember. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't remember any of last week. I'm still writing notes and I'm paying attention but it's like I'm not there. Physically maybe, but not mentally. I did all the homework but I can't tell you what unit we're doing in history or what the homework was even about." I blabbered, the tears coming easily.

Gabby and Matt didn't say anything, just kept staring at the test.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed, "Please don't hate me."

This made them lookup.

"Hate you?" Matt asked, "No, no, no."

"We don't hate you," Gabby soothed, coming over to bring me into a hug, "It's just a test, I'm sure if you ask your history teacher, you can rewrite the test. We'll help you study and you'll do much better."

"She already said I could," I mumbled, "But I said I wasn't going to rewrite it."

Gabby looked at me, confused, just like how Sylvie had. "Why?" She asked.

"It's because of what happened to me. She said it herself. Mrs. Smith never lets anybody rewrite tests so why should I get to?" I said, but deep inside, I knew it was more than that.

Why should I get to live when Jane couldn't?

"Look," Gabby said and I thought she was going to talk me into rewriting the test. "You're old enough to make that decision if you don't want to rewrite the test than I can't force you."

I nodded, "But."

"But I think you should think about getting help," Gabby said, her voice gentle again.

"In history?" I asked, "I've never failed anything in history before."

Matt shook his head, "Not in history. Naia, maybe you should talk to someone. You know, about what happened."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said quickly, my tone defensive. "I'm sorry for failing the test, it won't happen again. I'm supposed to get it signed so..."

"Naia," Gabby pleaded but I was already in shut down mode.

"I have homework I have to do," I mumbled and grabbed my backpack before hurrying away.

I didn't need help. Why would I need help? Talk? Talk about what?

Jane's blood poured over my hands and onto my jacket. Her face was deathly pale, the life was draining out of her and the blood steadily flowed out of the bullet wound.

"Everything's going to be okay,"