Twenty six
It was 7:30 when everyone was piled into the minibus to go to the hospital to wait for Oscar to be discharged. While they were waiting Elektra went in to his room to talk to him while Jamie tried to comfort an extremely tired Alana. Alana hadn't been able to get to sleep all night because she was worried for her brother. According to Cassie she'd ended up just sat by the window staring at the stars all night because when she'd woken up Alana was in the same position she had been when Cassie had fallen asleep. Alana looked a mess, Jamie could tell that much. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, she had purple shadows under her eyes and was really pale. Her school uniform was falling off her. Her shirt was buttoned up wrongly, her school cardigan hang off one shoulder and her school skirt was uneven lengths above her knee. He turned her to face him. "He'll be alright," he said. She nodded. "let me sort you out." She nodded again. He pulled her cardigan off her and turned her so she was facing the wall so nobody could see. He undid her shirt buttons and was relieved to see she was wearing a vest top underneath. He redid the buttons the right way, put the cardigan back on her and tugged her skirt down so it was even. Alana didn't even register this as she stared into the distance. Tyler glowered at Jamie. Alana was his girlfriend so it should be him sorting her out. Mind you Jamie was looking out for his friend. They all sat down in the waiting room. Jamie and Tyler met in the middle of the room. "I don't know what to do with her," Jamie told him quietly. "She's like a zombie. Her brother will turn up, she'll pick his bag up and help him to the minibus and round school but she will not realise she's doing it. We've got to do something." Tyler nodded. They sat down either side of Alana.
"Alana, relax, please," Tyler pleaded. Alana slumped in her chair, her expression still alert. "Alana!" he shook her and turned her to face him. Alana looked up at him and smiled. "please." She shook her head.
"Sorry, tired. Couldn't sleep," she yawned. Tyler nodded.
"We know, look you've got to relax and keep calm. Oscar will be alright," Jamie said. Alana nodded.
"I know but I just can't lose him," she said quietly. The boys nodded as Elektra came out with Oscar. She had Oscar's bag and a nurse was helping Oscar. Jamie and Tyler both grabbed Alana's wrists to stop her running over to help. It had been decided that Rick, Summer and Elektra would look after Oscar at school, except during break, lunch and detention when Alana would help or be solely in control. She struggled slightly but realised it was no use. The boys were stronger than her and they had decided she wasn't going anywhere. Rick stood and went over to Oscar. He put Oscar's arm around his shoulders and led him to the minibus with everyone else following. Alana was still being held by Jamie and Tyler at the back of the group. Oscar knew Alana was being stopped from helping. From what he had seen when he had approached everyone she was a mess even with her now immaculate school uniform. Once in the minibus he was grateful that Alana was allowed to sit next to him. He needed her like she needed him and he knew that being away from each other was making them feel even worse.
They pulled up at the school and everyone got out. Rick supported him and Elektra had his bag. Summer was waiting patiently and took Oscar's other side. Alana stood watching them help her brother. She'd promised not to help but it was hard for her to just watch. As they led Oscar into school, Molly appeared. Her ear bandaged up.
"Told you, weak!" she said. This time it wasn't Alana that snapped it was everyone else who wasn't supporting Oscar up although Alana could see Summer and Rick debating whether to put Oscar down and join in with everyone else. Alana walked over to them.
"Leave it, it's unfair enough as it is," she said maturely. She watched as the Elm tree kids formed a very straight line in front of Molly and started walking towards her.
"don't you dare say that. He's an ill boy," Cassie cried out, upset at Molly's harsh words.
"He's a fake and he deserves it," Molly said slightly worried about the amount of people she was up against. Jamie glared at her before jumping on her and dragging her to the ground. Alana ran over.
"Leave her!" she shouted. "She's nothing more than a bully. Just ignore her. Oscar needs our support and energy more than he needs us beating up Molly!" she continued. Cassie, Tee, Tyler, Jamie, Johnny, Elektra, Carmen, and Gus (who had been writing notes while all this went on) looked at her in shock. "just leave her alone!" Alana turned back to Rick, Oscar and Summer. "get him inside" she told them. They nodded and led him into school.