At around 6 am the next morning Hotch knocked on JJ's door. She opened the door sleepily.
"Ready for your first day of school?" She slammed the door in his face. Morgan laughed and knocked on the door.
"Sweetie." He called out. The door opened. "Don't you dare call me that. Ever. Ok, I am a woman with a gun, and I swear if you mess with me Morgan you will regret it." she snapped.
"Whoah… You ok there?"
She walked over to her bed and sat down. "It's my first day of school in… I don't even know how long. I'm a cheerleader. I'm..." she trailed off. He sat down next to her.
"Listen to me. You will do great. And remember, I am only an email, phone call or video conference away." They hugged.
"Thank you. I should…pack." He nodded and left the room. She threw everything into her suitcase. By 7am was completely packed and ready to go. She hugged everyone, but she hugged Reid the tightest, never wanting to let go. In case she never saw him again, in case something happened to her.
Reid sensed this and held on for a long time but eventually let go. Hotch lead JJ to the car and loaded her stuff in. She had tears in her eyes as she got into the car and they drove off. She waved until she couldn't see them anymore.
"JJ." Hotch said sternly. "You will be coming back. You will be ok."
"How can you say that Hotch? I have to go to school for a month, and get into a cheerleading camp. How can you guarantee that I will be safe?" she asked.
He was silent for the remainder of the drive. JJ stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by, watching the birds in the nests with their families. That's what the team felt like to her; family. And she was leaving it all behind her. Starting over.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Hotch pulling up to the school until the car had completely stopped. Hotch grabbed her bags out of the car and walked with her over to the school office. A bored looking secretary, who reminded JJ of Garcia, was spinning around in her chair. She spun around three more times until she noticed JJ and Hotch.
"Hi, can I help you?" she said, finally stopping the chair.
"This is Kate Millar. She's a new transfer here" Hotch said.
"Ah yes. Our new Boarder." She grabbed some papers from a filing cabinet. "Please fill these out." she instructed as she handed the documents to them with a pen.
JJ and Hotch took them over to a seat on the other side of the reception. JJ began to fill them out, with Hotch's help when she got stuck. They were just basic questions regarding existing medical conditions and dietary requirements.
After they were finished, they gave them back to the receptionist who photocopied them, storing them all in a folder in what JJ presumed was her file.
"Ok great. Now here is your class schedule, a copy of the school rules and other information you might need, including a map and your room key. You will be sharing with a girl named Kelly. I am sure you will get along great," the receptionist said in one breath, handing the materials to JJ. "If you would like to bring your bags, I will show you to your room." JJ hugged Hotch goodbye, and he slipped her an earpiece whispering in her ear, "just today." She smiled then let go mouthing "thank you."
She grabbed her bags and followed the receptionist down a corridor. "I'm Helen," the woman said smiling. "If you need anything you just ask me. I'll sort it out for you."
"Thank you." JJ replied as they turned down another corridor. After twisting and turning corners they finally reached the room; number 12. Helen knocked on the door and Kelly answered rubbing sleep from her eyes.
"Oh, your Kate right? Hi, I'm Kelly," she said sticking her hand out. JJ stuck her hand out and shook it. They acted as if they'd never met. They walked into the room and JJ dumped her bags on the empty bed.
"Well, it looks like you are all settled here. I should go now," Helen said as she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
JJ unpacked her bag, putting her clothes in the chest of drawers on her side of the room, and hanging one or two dresses up in the closet. She set up her laptop on the desk, and put a few things away in the desk drawers. JJ finished setting her things in the bathroom while Kelly watched.
"Ok, school starts at 9am, so we have…" Kelly began, checking her watch. It was eight o'clock. "We have an hour to pick a decent outfit for you, and turn you into a 17 year old."
Kelly rummaged through her clothes and eventually picked out a black mini skirt and a white singlet top. She also pulled out a thin black jacket. She put them on the bed and commanded JJ to put them on while she picked out her own outfit. JJ reluctantly put them on and then sat down on the bed.
Kelly then helped her do her hair, putting it up into a high ponytail and applying a little bit of makeup on her face. She headed off to the bathroom and got herself ready. By ten of 9, they were ready to go. They grabbed their books and other necessary items before leaving the room, locking the door behind them.