Tori's POV: As I stood there, paralyzed in fear, I saw how little space there was between Jade and myself. I also realized how little time I had to escape; if I wanted to survive that is. It only took about 3 seconds to choose what to do. And it was in that 3 seconds that I would get thee worst head start ever. Within approximately 5 seconds, Jade had me on the ground and was holding nothing back, extremely intent and doing nothing but beating me to a pulp.
All I could hear were the screams of people, mostly fearful of Jade, but also freaking out about the murder that would've happened had Beck, Andre, Lane, and even Sikowitz and the Principal not stepped in to save me. I would love to see the day that someone was actually able to stand up to Jade, challenge her to a fight, and beat her like she beat me. That sight would make my day.
I say that simply due to the fact that it took 2 teenage boys, and 3 grown men to get that one girl off of me; or what was left. When the beating was finally over, I didn't dare try to lift my head up, because all I had to do was stick my hand behind my head to see and feel the blood that Jade made pour out of me. Everything was becoming blurry, my vision, sight, and my hearing became muffled. I felt dizzy even though I was lying on the ground.
Though with all the commotion around me, all the people rushing to get me the medical attention I desperately needed, you'd think that all the footsteps would make the ground, and my body, vibrate. Then all of a sudden, everything went silent. My vision: gone. My hearing: on mute. My sense of smell: all I could smell was my blood spilled on the concrete of the "Asphalt Café". My sense of touch: my hands were wet.
And all I could taste was the faint taste of mint from the gum that I swallowed when I gulped as a result of the assumption that I was done for. In the amount of time it took for me to lose my senses, they came back, with the exception of my hearing. Luckily I could read lips, or I'd be severely irritated at the, hopefully temporary, handicap. As I regained my sight, it came back in blurry at first, to where I could only barely make out the outlines of the people hovering over me.
Then I finally got back my entire 20/20 vision, and used it to look around for a clue as to my whereabouts. I immediately realized I was in an ambulance. Correction: a fast moving ambulance. I noticed that I had 3 companions. Sikowitz, Lane, and Beck were gathered together talking quietly. I cleared my throat to make my consciousness known, and simultaneously, Beck, Lane, and Sikowitz looked to me with what seemed to be quite puzzled expressions.
I tried to figure out a way to, a, let them know I was currently deaf, and b, communicate with them to both ask, and answer questions. I had a feeling this was going to be difficult, though I knew I had to try. I attempted a whisper, because I'd rather be too soft of voice than too loud, and Beck leaned in to hear what I had to say. I read his lips as he repeated my message. "She said she's okay, she can't hear, but she can see and read lips, and she wants to know what happened." I smiled at Beck as a thank you, and felt relief that Sikowitz and Lane figured out they had to make sure I could see their lips for me to understand.
I read their lips as they explained. "Well, it's unclear the exact reasoning behind Jade's attack on you," Lane began, "But we definitely know there's a strong reason backing up her strong reaction," Sikowitz finished. I half-nodded, then apparently cringed at the pain, because I could read everyone's lips as they told me to relax. What I would do for my hearing back…
It would make everything so much easier for me right now. I also wished that I could hear someone's soothing voice; no one specific, just anyone. The voice of someone calming me down, reassuring me by reminding me that everything will be alright, and to stay calm because it'll get better and easier. As I was silently wishing for my hearing, I could've sworn I heard something.
I tried to listen closely, despite the obvious fact that I had nothing else to tune out, and heard it again. This time the noise was louder and longer, then I began to hear a voice. That single voice turned into 2, then 3, then I could hear surrounding noises. Your wish is my command. This whole experience just got a little better. "You guys? Does anyone know the extent of my damage?
Or how much longer till we get to the hospital?" I spoke at normal volume for the first time since telling the guy in the lunch truck what I wanted. "The paramedics said you lost a pretty bad amount of blood from your head. You also have a concussion, a black eye, a broken nose, a busted lip, and some scratches on your face," Beck had informed me in a strangely calm manner. "And it'll just be a little while longer till we get to the hospital, so hang in there Toro," Sikowitz reassured.
"Did you call me Toro again?" I playfully questioned the crazy teacher. "No. Yes. Maybe." He simply replied. "You do acknowledge that it's Tori, right?" I explained, putting emphasis on the proper pronunciation of my nickname. He smirked and threw back at me, " I know, Tori." His smirk turned into a smile and he reached down to hug me gently and placed a reassuring kiss on my forehead.
I smiled and thanked him, "Thanks Sikowitz. I really needed some comfort. You'd think I'd get that from the GUIDANCE Counselor -cough cough- LANE -cough cough- Beck, Sikowitz, and myself all smirked and turned towards the counselor who, compared to us, was cowering in the corner of the speeding vehicle.
He looked at us as if he had done nothing wrong. "What? I'm observing the situation, and debating with myself on what to do about it all," Lane defended. I turned from him and breathed a sigh of relief, along with the others, when the ambulance finally came to a stop. He heard the drivers shut their doors, and their steps towards us.
They opened the doors and the lights from the street combined with the lights from the hospital nearly blinded me.