Chapter Two-Hundred and Fourteen
Mrs. Hernandez tried to help John into his desk, backing off when Chance gave a small growl to warn her off. "Glad to see you John." She smiled, placing a large pillow on the floor for Chance to lay on.
He nodded, awkwardly adjusting himself until he was somewhat comfortable. "Glad to be back."
She returned to the front of the class, knowing that they only had a half-hour before the next class. "Today, we're beginning Spanish two." She stated, writing on the board.
John limped into Shop Class, being careful about the steel on the floor so that he didn't trip over it. He let Tyler help him into his leathers and pull up a stool for him to sit on while he welded a new project together. "Thanks." He smiled, placing a few small pieces together until they made something he could work with.
"No problem." Tyler smiled, going back to his work table a few feet away.
John dropped his mask over his face, starting the process of welding Johanna's new mobile together. He yelped as someone grabbed his shoulder with a harsh hand. "What the fuck?" He growled, taking his helmet off and looking into the face of Timothy Bennett the same jerk who'd thrown John's bandanna into the forge.
"You think you're some kind of hero, don't you?" He snapped, pushing John off of his stool.
John glared at him, pulling himself up to stand with the help of the table and his chair. "Fuck off, Tim." He ordered, jumping when he pulled a blowtorch out and closed his finger over the button to light it.
"Hey!" Ross shouted, shoving Timothy back and taking the torch from him. "Leave him alone!" He lit the torch, holding it close to Timothy's arm. "How would you like it if you were burned-"
"No!" John barked, locking eyes with Ross. "No one should ever feel fire on their skin." He adjusted himself on his stool, going back to his project. "I'd rather die from the infection in my worst one, than let someone else feel it."
Tyler nodded, remembering that John still hadn't changed that bandage. "Come on, we need to clean that one up a little." He helped John out of the leathers, taking a bag of medical bandages from his backpack and starting to clean the wounds. "God…" He whispered, the sight of the yellowish discharge making him uneasy.
Chance growled as the other teens in the room closed in on John, nipping at Timothy's ankles and making him fall over. She sat on his chest, sweeping her tail over his face as she guarded her master from the threat.
Claire kissed John's jaw, looking down as his cast that was so scribbled on with names and drawings that she could barely see the white plaster. "Wow… someone's popular." She laughed, noticing that Chance was still on the defensive. "Chancie, settle down." She patted the pit bull's back, touching John's back as she stood.
John chuckled, jumping as Julia's voice spoke just down the hallway. "Julia?" He asked, limping his way toward her. "What're you doing here?" He asked, taking Johanna from her arms to hold her.
"We just wanted to make sure you're okay." She smiled, brushing Johanna's hair back and kissing her head.
"I'm fine." He bounced her in his arms, starting a small song in his throat.