AN: I'm going to fix the chapter numbers, starting with this one. I got all mixed up with the chapter numbers the past few chapters...

...

Sequel: Chapter 24: Back at School

Kevin's PoV:

It's been a week, since I've returned home. It sucked that we had to leave New York, but I know I'll be going back, someday... Though, Mom and Dad seem to be keeping something from me and the others... What could it be, I wonder?

It just so happens that it's my first day of school. I haven't been to school, since December 10th. I ran away shortly after I got home from school that day... Since I haven't been to school for a long time, I'm nervous... What will the kids say to me? Will they pity me? Bully me? Pay excessive amounts of attention to me? "Mom... I'm scared..." I say, putting on my backpack, coat, hat, and mitts. I can put on my backpack, coat, hat, and mitts a lot easier now, since my arm has been removed from my sling, and is now in just a cast.

"Don't be scared, honey. It's just school," Mom says, wrapping my scarf around my neck.

"They'll treat me differently... After what happened... I'm sure everyone knows..."

"Will they treat you differently? Of course, it's to be expected. But, you have to act like it doesn't bother you. I'm sure all your friends and teachers were worried about you,"

"What about my bullies? What about the other kids I don't really talk to?"

"Do what you always do. Ignore them,"

"Hey, buddy, if you can handle Harry and the others, you can handle school," Buzz says to me.

"Your brother's right..." She then bends down and kisses my head, saying, "You'll be fine, honey. Have a good day," Mom opens the door, letting us all outside.

Shortly after we arrive outside, the bus pulls up. What Buzz and Mom said is true, but I'm still scared... I think Buzz senses this, because he takes a hold of my hand... We aboard the bus, and I notice that as soon as I'm on the bus, everyone stares at me, forming butterflies in my stomach. The bus driver, which is an elderly man, says, "Welcome back, Kevin,"

I nod and say, "Thank you,"

"Come on, Kevin, let's sit back here," Buzz says and leads me to a seat around the middle of the bus. I sit on the side, closest to the aisle. I cross my arms and shrink down in my seat, afraid for the day...

I feel something tap the top of my head. I look up, startled. I notice that it's my friend, Josh. "Oh, hey, Josh," I say, still startled, but happy to see him.

"Long time, no see!" he says, clearly happy to see me.

"Yeah. Over a month!"

"Do you wanna hang out as soon as we get to school?"

"Sure!"

"OK," Josh sits back down in his seat, and we continue our bus ride to school...

At School...

"Are you sure you're going to be OK?" Buzz asks me, when we get off the bus.

"Yeah. I'm just hanging out with Josh," I answer.

"OK. Come find me, if you need anything," He rubs my head and takes off with my other siblings.

Josh and I stand in an awkward silence, before he starts, "So, how have you been?"

"Better, since..." I trail off...

I bow my head and start to walk away, but Josh chases after me. "Hey, wait up, Kev!" I sit down on a bench and hold my face in my hands. I hear Josh sit down beside me. "Hey, Kev... I'm sorry..." This is what I was afraid of... Exactly this... "I didn't... I didn't think..." Thinking about it all, makes tears form...

"It's OK..." I look up from my hands, not wanting to show the tears, and I say, "I'm sorry, Josh, I have to go now..." I get up from the bench and head inside the school...

...

Once I'm inside the school, some students and teachers say to me, "Welcome back, Kevin," I hear it constantly, until I finally reach the office.

The secretary, Mrs. Leslie, also says to me, "Welcome back, Kevin,"

"Mrs. Leslie, I need to call home..."

"Are you sure, honey? You just got here,"

"Yes... Please?"

"Alright. You know where the phone is,"

I head for the phone and pick it up. I dial the home phone number. After a few rings, I hear on the other end:

"Hello?"

"Hello. Mom?"

"Kevin?"

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong? Are you OK?"

"I wanna go home..." At least this time, I have the option to go home, when scared and not feeling well...

"What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna be here..."

"I know you don't, honey... But, you'll be fine,"

"No... I can't be here, without memories being brought up..."

"What happened?"

"Josh... He didn't mean to... He asked how things have been, and I answered, 'Better, since...' It made me bring back memories again... Everyone looks at me... Not only are they shocked to see me, but some of them look like they pity me..."

"Well, honey, people were concerned for you. When they see you back at school, they start asking questions. Some people will feel bad. But, you know what, that will pass. People will start treating you normal again. Don't worry, you'll be fine,"

"Mom... I'm just not sure if I'm ready to be here..."

"You're ready. Trust me, honey, you're ready..."

I hear a "click" on the other end, and I ask, "Mom? Mom?" But, there's no answer...

I hang up the phone and I turn around to leave the office. I don't say anything, until Mrs. Leslie asks, "Honey, are you OK?" I shake my head "no" and leave the office...

...

I'm sitting in class, being an introvert from everybody. I sit here, with my arms and legs crossed. Of course, everyone, including the teacher, tries to talk to me. I just ignore them. The teacher understands, but the other third graders don't... I actually ignore the whole lesson that the English teacher, Mrs. Tommis, teaches. I eventually just lay my head down on my folded arms on my desk. I guess Mrs. Tommis understands, because she leaves me alone about it...

After the lesson is over, I hear someone strut over to my desk. My shoulder is tapped, and I look up to see Mrs. Tommis, smiling down at me. "Honey, are you OK?" she asks. I shake my head "no". "Do you want to go home?" I nod. "Do you want to call?"

I nod again, but then I say, "I already did... first thing this morning... But, my Mom wanted me to stay here..."

"Well, maybe you should just go lay down in the office, until you feel better,"

I nod again. I stand up, gather my things, and start to leave the room. But, before I'm able to leave the room, I hear, "Kevin," I cautiously turn around, and it's Erik, the kid who picks on everybody, no matter what... A lump forms in my throat... "Get better soon, eh?" I slightly smile and nod. Wow... That surprised me... I expected a smite, sarcastic comment from him, or something... Maybe Mom's right... Maybe things will get better... But, for now, I just need to lay down... So, I exit the room, to go down to the office...

After School...

Well, I can't say my first day of school was successful, but it wasn't terrible... Even though I spent most of my day down in the office... Buzz was with me the whole time on the bus. I didn't want to talk to anyone, not even Josh, so I leaned up against the window, ignoring everyone... Once we get home, Mom says to us, "Kevin, Buzz, the rest of you, I have some news for you..."

To be Continued...

...

A/N: Thanks again! Do the usual! ^_^ Useless info: I watched Ted for the first time last night, and it's going to inspire me to do something later on. ;) I loved that movie! Plus, I'm obsessing over the fact that Mila Kunis (Mac's ex-girlfriend) was in it, and Ted Danson (whom Mac worked with in Getting Even with Dad) made a cameo! ^_^ Ooh! And I have to do this from the Ted movie, "FLASH! Gooordon!" Heh, sorry... XD

Anywho, sorry it's another short chapter, but I think after the next chapter, it'll be done! Though, I have some extra things planned for later on, when the story's done. ;) So, stay tuned! Ciao! :D

- Termina's Hero1234