"We should do something."

"Kara, he's in the ICU. Even when he gets out I doubt he's going to be up for a party."

"It doesn't have to be a PARTY. But you know, something to celebrate."

"Emma, Kara's right. Jordi's been thrashed that's worth a little something something."

"Dash, you're as crazy as Kara. But if you can think of something that would be appropriate for a minor and not exhausting celebration I'm in"

"Cool."

Leo could hear them chatting inside the classroom. He took a deep breath and walked in behind a couple of the other kids.

"Hey guys." Leo said casually as he sat down.

"So," Kara didn't glance in Leo's direction. "Maybe we could get him something for his room."

"Yeah." Emma nodded. "He's all hospital issue everything. It's so cold and impersonal."

"That sounds awesome," Leo chimed in. "How can I help?" His question was met with silence. None of them would even acknowledge he was there.

"How about some lights?" Emma suggested. "All the holiday stuff is out and we could get a couple of strings of lights, maybe a little Charlie Brown looking Christmas tree."

"The lights sound rad," Dash laughed. "But it's way too early to think about Christmas."

"Good point."

"It's weird but what about a blanket. Something that isn't that nasty hospital snot yellow."

"Good morning class." Mrs Benton walked into the room.

"Let's do lunch in my room and figure it out." Emma whispered before opening her books.

Leo tried to pay attention but his thoughts kept going back to his friends ignoring him. Dash had always been his wingman and now he was joining in on the "Leo is not there" game. It hurt. He was worried about Jordi also. He screwed up and he knew it and everyone was treating him like trash. He couldn't prove it but he suspected that Jordi had asked Dr McAndrew to not talk to Leo about him. Forcing him to lurk around corners to try to find out anything. But he was pretty sure they knew he was listening and avoided the topic. Or maybe he was just being paranoid and no one was hiding anything from him on purpose.

Mostly his thoughts kept returning to what Dr McAndrew had said about how Jordi might be really really sick. If the others were talking about Jordi getting out of ICU that would be a sign that he isn't. Or maybe the doctor just hadn't told them yet. And then there was what Jordi had said to him. Was he right? Was Leo just a self centered jerk? Had everything he had done really just been a way to get attention. He hadn't thought so but maybe he was wrong.

"Okay everyone, that's all for today." Mrs Benton's voice cut into his thoughts. Had it really been a whole hour. "Since its October for our next reading assignment we're going to look at the stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. I want you all to get in groups of two or three and you are going to each draw the name of a writing out of my witches hat which you will present to the class. I have some questions you can use as a guide for what to talk about."

Kara, Emma and Dash quickly jumped up together as a group, picked up their books and worksheet and pulled their title. Leo didn't even bother to try to join them.

"Hey Wesley," Leo turned to the kid that typically shared his table. Wesley, or Wheezer as they called him behind his back due to his severe asthma. "Wanna be partners?"

"Uh sure." Wesley shrugged. "okay" There was a tone of pity in the other boys voice.

They gathered their books and such and agreed to meet after Leo's physical therapy.

Between PT and working on their assignment the afternoon went quickly. Leo soon found himself walking back to his room. He saw the others sitting in the lounge but didn't notice Nurse Jackson or Dr McAndrew also in the room with them. Not until he overhead Emma's question.

"When?"

Leo stepped back out of the doorway to listen, hoping none of them had seen him and would clam up.

"The test results should be back in the morning so unless there is something wrong he'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

"That's awesome."

"We wanted to do something to welcome him back."

"He's still pretty tired."

"Yeah, that's why we were thinking we might decorate or something."

"That would be nice. If Nurse Jackson is okay with it."

"As long as you don't do anything that might mess with the equipment or trip me when I'm walking around, have at it."

"We better get busy then." Leo heard shuffling and a moment later Kara and Emma were walking out and walking away from him.

"Hold up a second, Dash."

"What's up doc?"

"There was something else. I didn't want to put you on the spot in front of the others."

"Okay."

"Jordi asked to be moved to another room."

"He doesn't want to room with Leo."

"No he doesn't. Not after the fight they had."

"So what, you want me to switch?"

"you've been asking to move into the Swamp for a while. So if you want to, then sure."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then are you okay with having a roommate?"

There was a moment of silence.

"Sure, Jordi's cool. Besides I"ll be leaving soon anyway."

"Thanks. Perhaps you better go tell the girls so they are decorating the right room."

Dash noticed Leo out of the corner of his eye as he left the room but said nothing.

Leo was gutted. He had thought once Jordi was out of the ICU he'd convince the others to drop their grudge. Surely Jordi understood that it was just the heat of the moment and it wasn't all Leo's faults. Or perhaps he didn't.

Leo walked down the hall to their, no his room. He wanted to go talk to Ruben about what happened but the older man was gone, off on his hindu spirit quest. He couldn't talk to Dr McAndrew as the doctor was clearly on Team Jordi. So Leo was stuck with only himself. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice Brittany dropping off his dinner or picking it back up. He didn't notice the room getting darker or even when he fell asleep.