Disclaimer: Anything familiar belongs to JE and the creators of Criminal Minds.

Warning: Adult language, adult situations

Note: This is the only chapter that will have two POVs. First, Julie's, then Tommy's as they navigate through their first day of school.

Chapter 69: Thursday, September 1st, 0700-1500

The Prescott Academy

Julie's POV

Today is the first day of school for me. School started for my friends three weeks ago, but Rachel didn't send me. Then, the incident happened. Now, my Papi thinks it's time for me to get back into my routine. I'm not concerned about missing school. I do well in school and find it easy. I'm more concerned with how everyone will react to me now that I'm damaged goods. While the bruises have all faded, I'm still in a cast. I still have my bodyguards with me.

I was fairly popular in school, with a strong base of friends, but since my attack, my friends have been a little distant. I hope it's just because they were in school and I wasn't. I woke up at six this morning, took my shower, got dressed. Then, I went downstairs for breakfast. Papi and Stephanie were coming in from their run when I arrived in the kitchen. I watch their interactions, and they seem happy and content. I wonder if this means Stephanie is staying.

"Good morning, Princesa. Did you sleep well?" Papi asks me.

"Yes and no. I slept well until about four, but then I couldn't fall back to sleep. I'm nervous."

"I was always nervous on the first day of school. What if I said something or did something to embarrass myself? The worst was the September after Joe. I think that was the only time I ever wore jeans to school on the first day. The guys all tried to kiss me, the girls thought I was a slut, and only Mary Lou and Gina stood by my side. It was a tough September, but I got through it okay." Stephanie told me as she finished her bottle of water.

"I'm going to take a shower, then I'll wake up Tommy."

"Babe, I'll get Tommy. I'll be faster in the shower. Go get ready." My Papi said to Stephanie before kissing her forehead.

Stephanie left the kitchen and ran upstairs. Papi disappeared into the gym, reappearing eight minutes later all showered and dressed.

"How do you get ready so fast?" I asked.

"Training. When out in the field, you don't often have a lot of time to shower. You learn to be efficient, cleaning your body as quickly as possible. I still have to shave, but that I'll do when Tommy is eating. Do you want me to make you eggs, Princesa?"

"Don't worry, Ranger, I got breakfast." Uncle Lester said as he walked into the kitchen. "Go get Tommy ready."

My Papi nodded to Uncle Lester before heading upstairs.

"What do you want, Carina? You know if your father made you breakfast, you'd be stuck with steel cut oats, egg whites, and celery.

"French toast with real bacon?"

"Your wish is my command." He answers. I set the table and start the coffee while Uncle Lester makes the French toast and bacon. He's plating my helping when Papi and Tommy come into the kitchen.

"Morning, Julie, Uncle Les. Fwench Toast! Yay and bacon! Double yay!" Tommy exclaims loudly.

"Your French toast is coming right up, LT." Uncle Lester says.

"LT?" Papi asks.

"Short for Little Tommy."

"Tommy, are you excited to be starting first grade today?"

"Yes. Super-duper excited. I want to make new fwiends. I not have a lot in my old school. I want to have lots. I hope my teacher is nice."

"Papi, do we know who he has?" I ask.

"Yes, a Mrs. Montalto."

"She is really nice and sweet. You'll like her a lot, Tommy." I watch as my brother's face lights up. I can tell he's really happy.

"How are we go to school? Do the bus come?"

"No, I will drop you both off. In the future, either myself, Stephanie, Uncle Lester, Rocco or Tommy will drop you off and pick you up."

"Okey-dokey."

We dig in as Stephanie arrives in the kitchen. "Mmmm, bacon, and French toast. Lester, you are a God amongst men."

"I can show you other ways that I'm God-like." Uncle Lester says, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I already have my God there," Steph replies. She grabs a mug of coffee and doctors it in the way she likes it. She joins us at the table. We talk about our plans for the day, the classes I'm taking this year, and which teachers I hope to have.

"It's time to go. Tommy, Julie, get your backpacks. I'll meet you in the garage." Papi says.

"Julie, go wash your hands. Tommy, come here, let me clean your hands and face. We can't have you going to school with syrup all over your face." Stephanie says as she washes the syrup off. "Here is your lunch. You have a PB & J sandwich, sliced apples, grapes, and a bag of pretzels. I also gave you a water bottle. Do you need me to open the water bottle?"

"Yes, please." Stephanie opens the water bottle, then closes it again. She places everything in his lunch box. Then, they walk to the garage with me, following them.

We climb into Papi's Cayenne, Stephanie making sure the Tommy knows how to buckle himself in using his booster. Then, she climbs in the front. We make the fifteen minute trip to school in silence. Papi and Stephanie escort Tommy and I into the building. Once we arrive at the main office, we are greeted by Ms. Gonzalez, the principal. She says hello to me before summoning Mrs. Salazar, my guidance counselor, who hands me my schedule, before I run off to my first class after saying goodbye to Papi and Stephanie. I arrive in my Global Studies class, thrilled to see that Gabby, Lucy, and Ashley are in the class with me. I say hi to them as we wait for class to start and they ignore me. I'm perplexed by their reaction to me. I say hi again, thinking that maybe they didn't hear me.

"Oh, Julie, nice of you to decide to come to school. I thought you were going to try and milk your injuries more, to stay home longer. I know I would have. I would be too embarrassed to show my face around school." Ashley said.

I was floored. Ashley was someone who I was friends with for six years. I didn't understand what happened.

"Hi, Julie. Welcome back. How are you feeling?" I turn around and see Becky Ryan standing there. We were never friends, but we weren't enemies, either; we just kind of ignored each other.

"Better. I'm nervous about being here. I'm afraid I missed too much school already."

"Oh, you'll do fine. What's your schedule?"

Becky and I compared our schedules, noting that we shared al our classes except for one. I was in the chorus, and she was in the orchestra.

I acclimated fairly well to my classes, but I continued to be ignored by my so-called friends. Fortunately, Becky and her friends were welcoming. Sara, Pedro, and John were fun to be around and helped to make my first day better.

Finally, as we were waiting to be picked up, Pedro spoke up, "Julie, a lot of people have been talking about you, about what happened to you. They are saying that you asked for it, that your father is the reason you were hurt, and that to be around you was dangerous. I know that it isn't true. We are friends because we have all experienced similar things to you. Sara was kidnapped by her Aunt when she was eight. She didn't get returned home until she was ten. John saw his father die after getting stuck in the crossfire between two gangs. Becky was raped by her cousin. And me, well, I used to watch my mom have sex with men to support us. A lot of the kids here ignored us once they heard our stories, but we've found solace in each other and support. When one of us is having a bad day, we are here to help. We understand what you are going through, and if you need someone to talk to, we are always available."

I remember hearing the rumor about these students, and I felt horrible that I chose to ignore them, but now I understand how they felt. I'm so grateful for their friendship, and I know that they will help me as I try to navigate my way back to what my new normal will be.

Tommy's POV

We are only in the main office, but I already love this school more than at my old school. There, I had to wear a stupid uniform. Here, I get to wear my Batman t-shirt. I am also glad that Julie is in this school too. I know that I won't see her much but knowing that she is here makes me feel better. I don't have to wait alone for someone to pick us up.

Once Ranger and Stephanie finish talking to the Principal, they kiss and hug me goodbye. After they leave, the Principal walks me to my classroom. She opens the door, and I see my classmates and my new teacher. She comes over to me immediately. "Good morning, Tommy, my name is Mrs. Montalto. I am your first-grade teacher. Why don't you sit at the blue table at the seat by your name?"

I walk over to the blue table and see a name tag with Thomas written in block letters. I look at Mrs. Montalto and notice she is around Stephanie's age. She has straight black hair that falls below her shoulders, kind brown eyes, and is shorter than Steph. I already like her.

Sitting at my table are Brianna, Mark, and Valentina. They help me get settled into our routines for the day. I'm happy that they are helping me. Brianna has a baby sister. Mark has an older brother who's in the second grade, and Valentina has no brother or sisters. I tell them about Julie. I can't tell them about Emma. Besides, Emma is in heaven with Mommy and Daddy.

Today, we are learning about addition and words that rhyme. We also read a story about Labor Day. In Science, we talked about Pluto. No, not Mickey Mouse's dog, but Pluto the planet that isn't a planet anymore. How can something go from being a planet to not? I saw Julie when I was walking to lunch. She was on her way somewhere and waved to me. It made me happy. Lunch was fun, and recess was better. I got to play soccer with some of the other first grades, and Ranger's lessons helped me to score a goal. I super excited.

The second half of the day went fast. I love school. At dismissal, I walk to the area near the front of the school where I must meet Julie. I see her with four other kids, and I'm a little scared. She turns around, holding out her hand to me. I feel brave to walk over to her now.

"Tommy, how was your first day?"

"Gweat! I made thwee fwiends, Brianna, Mark, and Valentina. What about you?"

"These are my friends, Becky, Sara, Pedro, and John. This is my brother Tommy."

"Who do you have, Tommy?" Becky asks.

"Mrs. Mon…Mon…Monaldo."

"Oh, Mrs. Montalto. She's wonderful. My sister had her last year."

"I like her," I say. Then, I hear Stephanie. Ranger and Stephanie are here to pick us up. We say goodbye to Julie's friends and run over to the car.

"I had the bestest day ever," I tell Steph.

"That's wonderful. You can tell us all about it on the way home. What about you, Princesa?"

Ranger asked.

"It's complicated."

"Let me know if you want to talk, Julie," Stephanie replied. I don't know why, but I think Julie is sad. Poor Julie.

TNTCE

A/N: My grades are submitted, and I am officially done with grading papers for school, even though the last day in June 26th (don't ask). With that chore completed, I have more time to write. I know some of you are doing a chair dance now (those who aren't are reading this in public and are trying not to draw attention to themselves.

Thank you as always for your kind words and encouragement. They help fuel my muse. Thank you, Susan, for you magnificent editing.