Garfield

Winter break is over far too soon. It was extended a week because of what happened, but only a week. Now they're having their first day back in class. Garfield fidgets in his chair. Ms. Flores was one of the staff who had died at the ball, so no one knows who their new teacher is.

Right on the hour when class starts, the door opens and Ms. Vanderbelt comes in with a tall skinny man with red hair and bright blue eyes.

"Hello children, this is your new teacher Mr. West. He has graciously agreed to teach you for the rest of the school year while we find a more permanent replacement for..." Ms. Vanderbelt pauses and coughs. "Of course, no one can replace Ms. Flores, but."

"But you do need a teacher." Mr. West fills in for her. Ms. Vanderbelt gives him a soft smile. "Hello everyone. I'm Wally West, that's Mr. West to you." The man gives them all the cheery smile and Garfield can't help, but think he's going to like this guy. Something about him seems fun in a way the other teachers here aren't. Maybe it's because he still seems pretty young to be a teacher or maybe it's the T-rex print tie around his neck.

"Please give him your full attention and a warm welcome," Ms. Vanderbelt says. The students clap, well everyone except Raven. He couldn't get a seat next to her. She was suddenly very popular after what happened. The other kids knew better than to try to talk to her, but they were constantly waiting for some kind of display like at the ball or when she saw the video. That night, she'd broken seven windows, twenty lightbulbs and a pipe in the girls bathroom had burst. James was not a fan. He still isn't finished with all the repairs.

Mr. West writes his name on the board and Ms. Vanderbelt leaves, closing the door behind her.

"Why don't we start with names?" Mr. West points to the front row and they start rattling off their names. When it's Raven's turn she doesn't say anything.

"That's Raven," Garfield says for her. The other kids continue as if she'd spoken it herself. Garfield is in the back row. He says his name too. Mr. West thanks them all and then passes out a test so he can see what they know. It's hard. Garfield always feels like his brain is jello after a break from school. Everything they tried to shove in there is either trapped and inaccessible in the middle or has bounced out of his brain during the break.

The test takes two hours, but when they're done, they get to watch a movie until lunch while he grades them. He assures them that their scores don't matter, it's only for him, but Garfield likes to make good impressions. He doesn't want Mr. West to think he's dumb. The Daytons could find out too. What if he does bad and they find out? Will they still want to come and see him? Maybe he can ask Raven to help him review, so he can get good grades this semester.

At lunch, after they eat in the cafeteria Richard, Garfield and Raven head upstairs to the library. Garfield would love to go play in the fresh snow that fell last night, but none of the kids are allowed outside until further notice. There are still a handful of reporters and nutcases hanging out around the property. One of the little kids almost got snatched the other day by some weirdo. Speaking of weirdos, the library door opens. It's not a visitor day, but the man who enters with Ms. Vanderbelt isn't staff. They'd met him at the ball, but Garfield doesn't think the man ever told them his name. He has a black eyepatch over one eye and silver hair. He's wearing a business suit and an eerie looking smile, that gives Garfield the creeps.

"Good afternoon children," he says.

"This is Mr. Wilson, he said he met you all at the ball and wanted to check-up on you after what happened. Isn't that sweet?" Ms. Vanderbelt smiles, like she really does think it's sweet. "Remember to be back to class on time."

"I won't take up too much of their time." Mr. Wilson says. She leaves and as the door closes, Raven gets up and goes to the shelves. Garfield watches the man follow her there with his eye, before approaching the boys at the table.

"What do you want?" Richard asks.

"That's not a nice way to greet your guest," Mr. Wilson says, but he's not looking at Richard. He's looking at the table where Garfield's game system is sitting and Raven's book. Richard closes his laptop.

"We don't like guests," Richard answers.

"You seemed to like Bruce Wayne and Rida and Steve Dayton." He knows about that? Garfield looks at Richard, he doesn't meet his eyes, but Garfield can tell he's surprised too. What else does this guy know about them?

"How does it feel to be heroes?" Mr. Wilson asks. "Do they give you an extra cookie for dessert each night?" His tone is mocking and it takes all of Garfield's self-control, not to transform into a tiger and rip his other eye out.

"What do you want?" Garfield asks. Mr. Wilson turns away from them and looks towards the shelves where Raven is probably curled into a ball.

"I would like to make you an offer." He turns back to the boys. "You three are wasting your time here. I can give you everything you've ever wanted."

"At what price?" Richard rolls his eyes. The man smiles.

"Think about it. I'll be back in a few weeks." He turns around and heads out the door without looking back. Garfield lets out a breath of relief. They both get up to go get their friend.

"He's gone," Garfield says.

"..." she doesn't say anything, but he's not surprised. After she found out about the video, she hasn't been the same. Garfield wishes he could find a way to make her feel better, but his jokes don't make her laugh and he can't erase the video from the internet or get the other kids to shut-up.

When it's time to go back to class they all head back downstairs. Richards in the other classroom for older kids, so they have to split up once they get downstairs. Garfield can't wait until next year when they're in the same class again.

When everyone gets back and is seated Mr. West gives them a smile.

"Since I still need to review your tests, I want you to write me at least a two-page essay all about yourselves. I want to you what your favorite food is, what you do at recess, if you could have the powers of any member of the Justice League who would you pick, that kind of stuff. Let's keep it fun. I wrote some examples on the board to get you started." Garfield looks at the board. Mr. West had written all kinds of fun questions. His favorite is "what flavor donut would you be, if you were a donut."

Some of the questions feel a bit odd though, like: "Have you ever seen real magic?" or "When was the last time you when to church?" Garfield isn't sure what to make of those, so he ignores them. He manages to get three pages, because it's not hard talking about himself. When they're done with that, they get to watch another movie while he continues to review what they turned in. Garfield hopes everyday can be like this.

When classes are over, he goes over to Raven's desk and they head out the door. They only make it to the stairs.

"Raven." It's Ms. Kinders. She has a lady in a suit with her. Garfield looks at his friend and she looks back at him. "I need to see you for a minute." They both start walking towards Ms. Kinders. "Just Raven. Garfield, go do your chores." Raven looks at him, something in her eyes asking him to stay with her, but he's not allowed to. He puts a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll meet you in the library?" he asks. She nods and he heads upstairs.