Larissa hurried, grabbing her car keys, her purse—anything significant to her. “Don’t end the call, okay? Stay with me.” She maneuvered quick out of her office and into the moderately lit hallway, “Keep the phone close to your mouth so I know you’re conscious and breathing.” Jesus, if she had to cover one more death—“Okay but please hurry.”
A relieved sigh pushed past her lips, somehow hearing you speak eased her worry a bit, “I will be right there before you know it, sweetheart.”
The night was cold, streets were empty, you were trying to fight the sleep that was already heavy in your eyes.
Momentarily, with your phone still pressed to the side of your face while you sat on the dirty concrete curb, a vibrant crimson vehicle halted across the street just right in front of your therapist’s building. The headlights were flashing an almost blinding light, you covered your eyes with your arm, still situated on concrete.
The Principal revealed herself, her movements brisk and calculated but lacking its usual grace, “Ugh, thank heavens.” The phone almost slipped your grasp. When you swallowed, you tasted a hint of your blood from the little tear on your lower lip. “Take me home please.” You had both arms extended upward with grabby hands in an almost child-like manner, a tired look on your face, lips pouting adorably.
Viewing Nevermore as your home warmed the Principal’s heart, it tugged the corners of her lips into a tiny grin despite the sadness in her eyes upon seeing you.
She pulled you up, surprised with how light you weigh, “Can you walk?” you felt her hand on your cheek, while your head was nuzzled on her chest, using her to steady yourself. You only hummed.
Once you were settled on the passenger’s seat, all secured, the woman made her way around to slip into the driver’s side.
“Tell me what hurts.” With how much lightheaded you were, you didn’t realize she had already started the car and was halfway to Nevermore. Larissa kept glancing over you, checking you from time to time.
You had the side of your head pressed to the window, grateful for the cold glass that seemed to soothe your skin, “Everything.” You moaned, visibly in pain. She didn’t say anything, instead she peeled one hand off the steering wheel and wrapped it around yours. She felt you squeezed her hand with mild force.
Later, you found yourself conscious in the familiar atmosphere of your own room. As if on cue, Larissa appeared holding a first aid kit and began tending your wounds.
Though the silence was a comfortable one, the looming curiosity in your Principal’s eyes made you fidget. You knew you had to tell her what happened.
“I went out with this girl and then I told her I was an outcast. Next thing I knew her brothers came and beat me up.” You explained though she didn’t ask.
Larissa stopped damping the cotton ball on your forehead, her silence was your cue to continue, “I know I shouldn’t have told her right away but I thought it was okay. She was sweet and kind. I didn’t want to hide who I am.” You said trying to cover the hurt in your voice but Larissa knew you all too well.
She placed a hand on your shoulder in attempt to console you. You shrugged, “It’s whatever. She’s not that special. I know what I’m worth. You taught me.” There was a little beam on your lips as looked at her. It made her heart swell with pride.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out but it’s not your fault, never yours, do you hear me? And she never deserved you in the first place.” She tucked a piece of your hair behind your ear as if it would improve your overall battered look, but you didn’t care, you allowed yourself to appreciate the piece of affection she gave.
“mhmm.”
She moved next to you, taking your arm to clean the abrasion you collected, “I’m really glad you called.” She said.
“Who else was I supposed to call? You’re the only one I have.” Right. Larissa wanted to kick herself.
“If I were younger, would you adopt me?” Larissa laughed, and continued cleaning you up. “Maybe.” Was what she only said.
Not long after that when you were all patched up and clean, she stood up, “Get some sleep.”
You stared at her, “I mean it. I wish you could have been my mother.”
Larissa sighed and gave you the warmest smile you had ever seen before she bent forward to kiss your forehead while stroking your hair back. “Sleep and that’s an order.”
“Aye aye captain!” you said with a playful salute.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Principal.”
Larissa mentally made a note as she left that she would need to contact the sheriff the following morning to report this incident. Whoever did this to you, she would make them pay.