So I'm reading some of my older stories (ok so this one isn't that old) but I have decided to delete The Summer After and post that story in parts. Mainly because it was a story that works in parts except for the beginning and end bits. I'm going to expand on them and post my favorites on Ao3.
If these next chapters sound familiar that's why!
Claudia sat outside the office sketching and waiting for the appointment that was arranged for her. She didn't know why she had to go to the office, just that it wasn't for the principal to see her. Plus she was getting out of math, so as long as she wasn't in trouble, this was already a good day.
"Claudia Kishi," said a perky redhead as she looked up at her. Nobody in the office even turned to look at her get up and sling her bag over her shoulder. Then she went to a small corner office that overlooked the student parking lot. From where she stood, she could see Sam Thomas' car parked near the football field.
"Yes, hi," said Claudia with a smile on her face.
"I'm Mrs. Murphy, your guidance counselor here. Would you like a piece of candy?"
She gestured to a glass bowl and Claudia took a Hershey kiss and then some m&ms for good measure. Mrs. Murphy just grinned and wrote down something on her legal pad, before taking a seat. She glanced around the room and smiled at an art piece hanging on the wall. It reminded her of something she drew when she was younger.
"Thanks, I'm not in trouble am I?" she asked lightly. She couldn't be in trouble, it was only the first week of school.
Mrs. Murphy just shook her head no.
"Not at all, you're just here because I like to get to know all of my students. Although I do have a reason for bringing you here Claudia," she said and tapped her pen against her pad. "And I will admit that there are a couple of ways that I can phrase so please bear with me."
She had pulled out a file with Claudia's name scrawled on it. Her stomach dropped a little, was this the famed permanent record that all students would be threatened with? Oh gosh she thought it was a myth!
"So this is your school record that we keep on file. It's a mix of paperwork detailing what your teachers have to say, transcripts from middle school, and the like. I think yours is very unique," she said leaving her to perk up a little. That had to be good right? "We have comments from your teachers saying that you are bright but need to pay attention or could use some extra help."
Great, which teachers, she thought, but there was probably something in their contracts about that.
"I can do better I swear," said Claudia, sweating a little. They couldn't possibly put her back in middle school could they?
"Hold on a second, I'm not done. Your art teachers are thrilled to have you in class. So much so that your intro to drawing teacher wants me to put you in drawing four. Only seniors are in that class. Your art history teacher thinks that you have a better grasp than most students."
That caused her to sit up straight and couldn't help but smile at the glowing reviews. That's good right?
"What does that mean?" asked Claudia curiously.
Mrs. Murphy peered over her glasses and studied her for a minute.
"Claudia, have you ever heard of a condition called ADHD?" she asked, leaving her to think for a minute and then shook her head no. It sounded like some psychology stuff that she zoned out of when Janine started talking about it. How Mary Anne was able to enjoy that class, she'd never know.
Was that a bad thing? She could feel her heart pounding in her ears even though she had no need to. Claudia looked at Mrs. Murphy wondered if she would be telling her.
"So, ADHD is attention deficit hyperactive disorder. It's different for everyone, some need medication and some don't. In boys, they tend to be more active, boys want to run or don't pay attention at all in class. It presents itself differently in girls than in boys and is frequently misdiagnosed. In girls they frequently daydream or have difficulty finishing assigned work. I'd like to have you tested for that if it's possible…"
Mrs. Murphy continued to talk while her mind just went far away. A learning condition? I remembered my fourth-grade teacher wanting to test me, but my parents had said no. What if there was something wrong with me? Would this affect her art!? Oh my gosh she really wished that Stacey or Erica was here.
She rubbed her cheeks feeling a little humiliated. At least she didn't have to repeat a grade before wondering what'll change for her.
"What makes you think that I have this?" she asked a little on the defensive.
Mrs. Murphy pulled out a paper and showed her an old homework assignment with her handwriting on it. "At the end of last year your English teachers had all students write a short paper." Claudia vaguely recalled that. "It was to determine if you should go into honors English or remedial English or regular English. Now look at the word chocolate and remember. You misspelled both wrong but misspelled each one in a different way. It isn't your ability to spell so much as that you aren't paying enough attention to it. I think you are very bright and a great student to hear so many great things. It just might be a little difficult for you, which is okay."
"If I do have it, that won't make me, I mean…" said Claudia, stumbling a bit on her words. Then took a deep breath like Mary Anne had taught her to do. "What's going to change for me?"
Mrs. Murphy smiled at her, reached over and patted her hand. "It all depends on the diagnosis. Sometimes it just means you'll go to another room and take your test a little longer. Your schedule is already changing, and we can adjust it accordingly. Claudia I have the utmost faith in you that you will do wonderful. I can't imagine that school will hold you back and that you will be very accomplished."
Claudia let out a sigh of relief and then grinned looking a little embarrassed. She glanced at the door and clock wondering if it was time to go. Then thought back to the schedule comment.
"Wait, did you say my schedule was changing?"
"I feel like I'm doing more talking than you, but I have a feeling that you already know."
Puzzled, something clicked in her mind.
"Is this about my art classes?"
"Yes, you'll be placed in art classes that normally only seniors or juniors are in if that's okay with you?" she asked and she just nodded enthusiastically. "Until the next time I see you; I want you to tell me where you think you might be in the future."
The ADHD test had come and gone without much of a fight from her, she just had to answer the questions honestly. At least it wasn't spelling or hard math questions. Just like a general assessment or something like that. Claudia was told not to overthink it and just follow the instructions.
Then the results came in the mail a week later. Her parents were waiting for her to open it or for them to go over later. It was sitting there on the counter with the rest of the mail her parents had to organize and open.
Her mother was making tacos so it wasn't like she could just take it and open it without some big discussion. Sulking a bit, she just grabbed her sketchbook and sat on the front stoop looking for some inspiration. Janine was walking up the path from her after school club and Claudia gave her a wave as she tried to focus on the flower.
"Claudia," said Janine walking up the front path. "Did you lock yourself out?"
"Hmm?" she said a bit distracted not hearing her right away. "Moms in the kitchen."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm just thinking."
"About an art project?"
"No school."
"School, really?"
She seemed a bit shocked and honestly so was Claudia. When did she ever think about school on a Friday evening? Especially when she had plans after dinner to go to a movie with Stacey, Erica, and (ew) Rachel. Nevertheless she was and it wasn't as embarrassing to admit out loud.
"Yep. I'm just thinking that if I have this condition what changes and what doesn't. My counselor wants me to think about what I want after high school."
Janine looked at her before plopping down next to her on the stoop. She had put her arm around Claudia and hugged her a little awkwardly from the side. Smiling, she hugged her back and put the sketchbook down.
"Want to talk about it? It's okay if you tell me that you don't want to go to college," she said comfortingly. Claudia just smiled thinly at her and shook her head.
"Actually I am thinking of going," I said. Janine looked a bit surprised but I just shrugged. "Like for design. I've heard computers are the way of the future so I think graphic design would be interesting. I could design packaging for a box of cookies or do advertisements for some big company. I'd like to run a studio on the side for my own personal projects and sell them or something."
"That sounds like a great idea Claudia. I'll be your first customer, I'll need someone to help decorate my "boring" apartment," said Janine, smoothing her skirt and a teasing look on her face.
Claudia sat back and looked at the houses across the street as if they had a clever remark. She was glad that they had this time together at home before things changed even more. Janine was so busy that they didn't even talk anymore then they already had before.
"I wouldn't worry about whether you're diagnosed or not. I'll be able to help you. In fact I think the ACT would be a lot better for you then the SAT."
She didn't know what those letters stood for but they sounded important. Both of them laughed a little but knew how that was going to go. Claudia began to feel lucky to have Janine as her sister knowing that she'd be right there to help.
"Thanks Janine. What about you? Where are you going to go for college? I know you applied to a lot of places."
"I'm not going that far actually. I accepted a spot at MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and started my first nuclear physics class right away."
Smiling, Claudia just hugged her sister again. She really didn't need to know what that was before mom called them in for tacos, one of their favorite meals.
Dinner seemed to go by quickly as Claudia piled her food high with tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole. Her dad gave her a knowing smile as they both went back for seconds. Janine told them about accepting MIT and her scholarship she earned.
They waited until after dessert to finally open the letter from the school counselor. Cludia took a breath as she opened the results from her testing. Hopefully this was something that she could handle.
"Janine you look," hse said, passing her the paperwork.
Janine read the letter aloud as the results did come back positive. And that they should meet with their doctor or a psychiatrist for further instruction.
"Well I guess that explains my inability to pay attention in school," she said jokingly, still not sure what this really meant for her yet.
"All that matters is that you'll get all the help you need and that we'll be able to help too," said her dad, taking her hand.
And that was all she really needed to hear.
