A/N: Trying to decide how to get from here in the story to the next big events without racing through the stress and details.....This is not an attempt to drag the story out, but instead I think this chapter is more about getting a real sense of how the characters are feeling. There are a few very emotional chapters coming up, and this is the ground work for that. I'd love to hear everyone's theories in the comments, so please post them, even if they are wrong for this story, they might be perfect in West's and I'll dedicate the chapter to you for it.
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Alice started down at her bleeding hand, wondering just how the day could have deteriorated to this.
Monday morning bloomed like any other day in March, with gusts of wind and cold biting pellets of rainy snow. Or snowy rain, depending on how you looked at it. Either way it was dreary and miserable, everyone hurrying inside the school, huddled into jackets and under umbrellas, no one talking or even looking at each other as they all just wanted to get in out of hte weather. That suited Ace just fine, she didn't want anyone to start in on her this morning, they'd get going once they realized who she was of course. Her bruised and battered visage had been plastered onto the front of several tabloids, with luridly detailed accounts of hte abuse she suffered at the hands of the Walter men. At 7 am this morning she'd received a phone call from a stiffly apologetic Officer Bradley. Apparently one of the younger officers that had been assigned her case had carelessly left his notebook behind, and that innocent, easily forgiven mistake had surred all of this publicity. Because the person who picked the book up next had been a reporter trying to impress his boss....
So now Alice walked into the school with dark sunglasses on to obscure her face, and her long hair tucked under a toque, and her body wrapped in the dripping jacket she wore. She went straight to her locker, hoping that maybe everyone would have the Monday funk going on and not bother her about it? Ace came to a crashing halt as she saw her locker though. When the first of her secrets had been exposed, her friendly schoolmates had scratched, scrawled and scribbled insults and stupidity into her locker. Now that the last of her secrets had been brutally exposed for public consumption, her locker had been targeted again. They'd had a week to learn about her life history, and the locker was their sounding board it seemed. The front of it was written on and scratched over repeatedly.
Whore was scratched out, the word hero written in big letters overtop of it. Weak had been carved into the metal door, but then there was an army of sticky notes taped all telling her that she was brave. Alice blinked at the contrary words and she turned around and walked away from it, not even bothering to put her books away. She heard someone suck in a breath as they recognized her, and she couldn't explain why, but she ran from them, bolting for class. She tumbled into her seat, chest heaving even though the run had been light and easy. It wasn't exertion that stole her breath, but emotion. She could feel it churning in her stomach, an acid bubbling pressure that made her feel sick. She reluctantly pulled the hat and sunglasses off, tucking them into her full bag and pulling out her course work. Hamlet was long over with, and they were ploughing through a book that Alice hadn't actually read before. It was called Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. She'd read it in one sitting and was now flipping through it again, wasting time by picking out random words off the page and writing them down in a sentence that made no sense. It was very mad gabs and kept her occupied while hte rest of class filed in.
She could feel the weight of their eyes on her, studying her as if they could see the damage that had been done to her. As if they should have been able to tell that she carried nonphysical scars all over. She scoffed a little at the thought, annoyingly amused by their sudden curiosity. They had to peer at her as if she suddenly looked different than before. Alice looked at her hand, it was a little darker looking, more dusky but that was all thanks to the Mexican sun, not Stuart. A pair of legs stopped in front of her desk and the tension in the room sky rocketed. Alice slowly looked up, a bored air radiating off of her. It was the kid who sat behind her, the one that had hit on her and she'd busted his nose up. He was looking sheepishly at her and held a cupcake in his hands. He set the pink icing pastry down on her desk.
"I'm sorry for being an a** earlier in the year. You're really brave." he said in a rush, flushing as he realized that everyone was looking at him. Alice could see Malcolm scowling at the student. It was hard on him too, he was the kind of man who protected his family, but he couldn't in this instance.
Alice looked at the cupcake, and instead of freaking out like everyone expected, she started to laugh. "It's alright. Not like I went around introducing myself by saying 'Hi, I'm Alice. My foster family makes the Bates look normal'." she waved his apology away. He did have to apologize yes, his actions had given him a negative reputation as far as she was concerned. But really, a cupcake apology? I'm sorry your foster brother routinely beat and raped you, here's some sugar to make you feel better? Alice just laughed softly to herself, though it did hold a slightly self mocking edge. She almost preferred the animosity to all the pity she could smell saturating the air as everyone softly whispered to each other about her.
Malcolm stood in the front of class and tried to direct everyone's attention to the sci-fi dystopian novel in their hands but not a single student seemed to give a flying blue penguin about the book. Not that you could blame them, the seniors had all just gotten back to school after their eleven day vacation. It's hard to get back into the discipline required to study. And the distraction and general air of can't-be-bothered-to-give-a-crap-about-school continued on into her next class.
Butch walked her to class as had long become the tradition, though now Sammy joined them so she could steal some smoochies from her boyfriend. And Gabby grabbed Alice at the door and marched with her head held high to their usual seats. Thankfully Alice's science class friend pointedly did not discuss the widespread news about Alice's history. Instead she passed a note to Ace that was completely unexpected.
DJ Mask has been contacted to do our Prom! You're the best!
Alice read the note and swallowed her laugh. She looked at Gabby and grinned, giving her a thumbs up. So Lexi had made the request even though Alice had brought the suggestion forward. Maybe the hostile blonde was becoming less.... volatile?
I rock like that. Actually I'm really all the awesome in the world and you all just borrow it from me.
She wrote back to her friend, though the good humour was an act on her behalf. She was thrilled about the whole DJ Mask and prom thing, but right now worrying over prom was the least of her concerns. Chief among her stress triggers were the fact that Stuart was after her, everyone knew about her, Malcolm's parents disapproved of their relationship and all the seniors were waiting for the early acceptance letters to come out from the colleges and universities. Thanks to Malcolm and West she already had a date, and a dress. So it was pretty low on her list of things to gnaw her nails over.
Wow, easy patting yourself on the back there, don't want you to pull a muscle. Seriously though, how are you holding up?
Gabby wrote back, unable to resist the elephant in the room anymore. Alice took in a deep breath, trying to quell the waves of nausea that stole over her for a moment. She released the breath carefully, not wanting anyone to hear the sigh. She scribbled her answer down and sent it back to Gabby.
I've lived with the knowledge for years. It's you guys who are new to the dog and pony show. It'll blow over as the next big gossip takes up everyone's attention. Just grin and bear it I guess.
Gabby nodded, seeming to be satisfied by that answer. She switched the note passing back to babbling about her own gossip, and Alice was filled in on all the doings of the nexy year down. Gabby was one of those bright students who got special dispensation to skip ahead in certain classes. So while she was a grade eleven student, she was doing grade twelve science block because she was keen that way.
Lunch bell rang and the knot that had settled in Alice's gut suddenly gave a tight jerk and Alice found herself scurrying for a bathroom so she could throw up. The thought of sitting in a cafeteria full of staring eyes and whispers was just enough to break throught her calm facade and ruin her careful emotionless wall. She washed her face off and stared at herself in the mirror, oblivious to the looks that hte other girls were giving her. Some were full of curiosity, a few concern. No one throws up for fun. One held vague amusement though, as if she found the 'hero' getting ill to be justly ironic. Of course Lexi would have to be in the washroom when Alice lost her cool.
But the blonde didn't swoop in for the metaphorical kill. Instead she derailed all the whispers with a simple statement. "Tell your boyfriend that he better be as good live as he is online, or I'll speak to him directly. DJ Mask is a risk and our prom has to be legendary." she stated cooly, then walked out, sweeping the other girls with her.
Alice stared at the retreating back of her nemisis and shrugged at the randomness of her statement. Whatever powered that girl's thought process wasn't logic. Probably peroxide. Ace sucked in a breath, put a calm, blank face on and walked out to try and force food down her throat. She'd gained exactly four pounds while away and everyone was still riding her about the need to gain the weight back. Whether she wanted to or not, food would be pushed on her. But she couldn't make herself move from the sink, clutching hte edges of the porcelin as if that was the only thing holding her together.
The bathroom door swung open and Maddison Avery stood in the doorway, looking at Alice. "Well come on, you've got us all waiting." she stated, waving for the younger dancer to hurry up. It was just nonsequiter enough to make Alice frown and reflexively follow. Who was waiting for her, and why? Alice followed the dance teacher, not to the cafeteria, but to the performance hall. And sitting along the stage edge were all her friends, eating cafeteria food as if this were a lunch table.
"Figured you might want to avoid the spotlight for a little while. People just can't get enough of you, though once they realize you're nothing special, it'll blow over." West casually winked at his girlfriend and then slung an arm over Alice's shoulder.
"Gee thanks." Alice said sarcastically, smiling at West's girlfriend, and her teacher. "And thank you Ms. Avery." she added on.
"Please, as long as you guys don't trash the place, I have no objection to you guys eating in here everyday if you want. Just try to keep the noise down ok?" Maddison laughed at them. She was cool as a substitute teacher, and friendlier as West's girlfriend, though she maintained a professional attitude when others were around.
"I'm sure we can muzzle them if they get too loud." Alice replied, smiling at her friends. Their touching gesture was not lost on her, and she blinked back tears of gratitude. She'd honestly once thought that she was passed feeling emotional reaction to things, living as a stripper had made her numb ot the world. But her friends were showing her that time really does heal old wounds. So they ate in the performance hall, and even though it was echoingly empty, Alice felt like it was the best place ever to be.
She'd gone to go change for class when a student she didn't recognize stopped walking right in front of her, blocking her way passed. "You're Alice Spade." he said, not asking but stating.
Alice warily nodded, getting a bad sense of this guy. "Yes I am. Who are you and why do you care?" she asked back, not bothering to make it sound less rude. Sometimes rude got answers much faster than politeness could.
"Have you heard from Stuart since he disappeared? Has he tried to contact you?" the guy in front of her demanded instead of answering.
"I don't see how it's any of your d*** buisness." Alice snapped, annoyance obvious on her face and in her voice. She tried to step passed him and he moved to block her path again. "Get out of my f***ing way, I've got to get to class!" Alice demanded.
"I'm from the Chatterbox, people want to know the truth and they7 have a right ot ask questions to get those answers. Can I get a statement?" the disguised reporter said. So that's what this was all about.
Alice smiled, though it held no friendliness nor warmth. "You want a statement? Here's one, and you can quote me on it. Go f*** yourself." she said sweetly and then shoved him out of the way to storm passed him and into the girls locker room.
Through the door she could hear him shout, "We're ready to pay for your story!" Alice felt her hands clench into fist and she turned, striking out at the wall to vent some of her stressed out fury. Which is when she tore her hand open because, like an idiot, she punched the one wall in the room that had a mirror on it. The glass shattered and suddenly Alice was staring at the dark red blood, wondering if she had a target painted on her back for bad s*** to hone in on. She finally realized that it was a decent sized cut and not likely to close on its own, so she grabbed wads of paper towel and pressed it to the wounds, hissing as it finally started to sting.
"If he's still out there...." Alice muttered darkly as she shouldered the door open, both hands getting stained with her own blood. Thankfully the reporter had vacated the premises. The bell for class rang and she cursed, doing a sort of skipping walk to the nurses office, trying not to drip blood everywhere. "I think I might need some stiches." Alice panted as she walked in, startling the school nurse out of his light nap. Suddenly Alice felt a little woozy and lightheaded, so she sat down in the chair to the side of hte door.
"Here we go, let me see that..." the nurse's voice softly talked as he placed a bin at her feet in case she ralphed. Then he unwadded the tissues from around her hand and carefully examined the injury. His face was professionally blank and impossible to read. She could have a tiny scratch or have lopped off her fingers and he'd look the exact same.
"Next time....I won't hit.....the d***....mirror..." Alice panted, not understanding why she felt so sick.
The nurse looked at her and gave a wintry smile. "I'm going to call your guardian on file and tell them to take you to go get some stiches. You still have a piece of glass in there and I don't want to remove it incase it's acting as a stop gap for a bigger bleed. So just stay here, and if you feel woozy, that's what the bucket is for." he directed and walked out before Alice could say anything.
She stared down at the re-wrapped hand and blinked, not understanding how she still had glass in her hand. It wasn't hurting all that badly now anyways. She sighed and pulled out her cell phone, awkward at trying to text with the wrong hand. She sent Malcolm a quick text so he wouldn't worry when she wasn't there for her ride home. They usually met up off school property so no one would know they lived together.
Got cut on broken glass so they're making me go get stitches. I'm fine so calm down, I'll see you tonight.
She knew he'd scowl at the phone, his natural instinct to coem fuss over her warring with the need to stay cool and act like nothing was going on. It was an uncomfortable situation for them both to be in, and it was starting to take its toll on both of them. Thus Alice's little outburst that was now landing her in the hospital. Again. At least she'd honestly done it to herself this time.
The male nurse came back in and smiled at Alice. "Sorry that took so long, there was a little mix up. Your guardian Salami is coming to get you." he mispronounced the large Native woman's name and Alice snorted.
"Thanks, sorry for bleeding everywhere." she felt compelled to respond. Anything to make the seconds tick by faster.
"I can't leave you alone for five minutes can I?" Salali asked as she boldly walked into the room. Alice saw the nurse's eyes go wide with startled surprise when he saw the body that went with the rough voice. Apparently there was something that could jar the professional look from his face. All it took was an obese Native woman with a bad smoking habit. Speaking of, Alice noticed that Salali had her work apron on still, her pipe tucked into a side pocket like a security blanket dragged around by a child.
"There was a reporter pretending to be a student. It was either commit bloody murder or..." Alice shrugged, letting her fill in hte blanks.
"Bloody murder or just plain bloody I see." Salali harumphed, not lathering more sympathy onto Ace. She guided Alice out to the car and quickly drove her to the by-now familiar E.R.
The only saving grace was that it was not the same nurse who stitched her up as the one that had treated her after Stuart's attack. The nurse that came in to clean her up was an elderly lady that had wrinkles on her wrinkles and a jaundice tint to her skin. She tutted over the jagged tear in Alice's hand, going from the side of her pinky, up the side of her hand and curling over the back of her wrist where it ended. A while later the doctor came in and promised to make this as painless as possible, only to jab Alice with a needle that had to be filled with thick, viscous acid. It hurt worse than the freaking wound did! Then they left her seated for a little until the numbing kicked in, then insisted that she look away while he fished into her wound to pull out not one but three different shards of glass still imbedded. Alice could feel blood ooze onto an area of her hand that wasn't numb and had to swallow thickly to keep from throwing up again.
The stitches were set and Alice was released back into Salali's custody, pumped full of painkillers and a tetanus shot with antibiotics because they were all concerned that she'd gotten hurt in a germ filled locker room. Salali took Alice back to her place, wanting to keep an eye on her while hte painkillers had left her so fuzzy headed. The shock of injury had long ago worn off, and the numbing agent had burned away, leaving Alice's hand feeling like it had been sanded down with a cheesegrater. She drifted on a painfree doze that the meds offered until Malcolm made his way over to check on her.
Alice blinked back into focus, realizing that she was horribly out of it and vulnerable in this state. But Malcolm's worried smile and his arm wrapped around her let her know she was safe, for now, and she let the medication wash everything else away. It was her first day fully exposed and it hadn't painted a bright future for her, but things couldn only go up from here, right?
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A/N: With a closing line like that, you know that wicked things are this way a-coming!
I want to hear what you guys think is going to happen next.
Also, now getting a chance to work on West and Maddison Avery's story. So yeah, I'll post that asap so you folks can go check it out and tell me what you think of it.