Ms. Reed's POV
12:30 P.M.
(Just won the championship)
The kids did it.
They won the Championship Title.
I begin running towards all the kids on the court and I begin to hug each of the kids, saying what I know they've been wanting to hear from me after putting them through physical torture.
"You guys did so good! I'm so proud of you all!"
I'm not keeping count of how many times I'm hugging each of the players but I know I've been hugging each player more than once. I am so proud of them. All that they have gone through has built up to this moment.
There's not many days where I like being a teacher or a coach but moments like these make me remember why I chose education.
I look down, hugging all of the kids but when I look up, I see Jules from the sidelines, looking at me.
I'm questioning whether I should go over to her. But what am I supposed to say? Congratulations? Last night was a huge mistake and so inappropriate of her and especially me. But the team wouldn't be where we are without her. I'm deciding to just keep on hugging the girls that are right in front of me.
I keep thinking about last night instead of us just winning the Championship though.
Jules is like the tide that pulls you in without drowning you.
She's annoying, yes, but she is the happiest girl I've ever seen. She had me under her spell last night and the knock of the door snapped me out of it. I sincerely don't know what I was doing last night. It was late and I guess I just needed comfort from anybody because of the anxiety I was having for this game.
And of course it was Jules.
After a few more minutes celebrating with the girls on the court, I look back to the sidelines and notice that Jules is gone.
She's probably in the bathroom or something though. She was drinking a lot of water for the tiny breaks she had so she's probably got a full bladder.
We were leaving in a few minutes though so why couldn't she have just waited?
Then again, it is Jules I'm talking about here.
"Ms. Reed, while this may be the wrong time to ask this, can I use the restroom real quick?"
"Yes, go ahead. But be quick, we're taking photos soon and they're going to be really fast."
My eyes linger on Skylar as she makes her way towards the restroom.
"Alright everyone we're taking photos in a minute so start gathering in the center."
I can't help catching my eyes glancing at the nearby bathroom. I don't know why but I feel uneasy right now. I feel like there's something missing.
Skylar comes out of the bathroom not even two minutes later.
"Hey Skylar, did you see Jules in there by chance?"
Skylar's eyebrows begin to furrow as she wipes the sweat off of her forehead.
Not sure why she was wiping her forehead when she only played for 3 minutes.
"Uhm, I'm not 100% sure. There were a lot of people in the stalls so she was definitely one of them. She might've had to take a number two."
I just nod. That's too much information for me which I do not give a shit about. Literally.
I check my phone and realize we have to get out of here as soon as possible because we have reservations at a restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner.
"Okay guys, just take the photo. Jules is in the bathroom and I'm not sure how long she is going to be so we are unfortunately going to have to take it without her."
I join the team and stand on the side. As soon as I see the first flash I immediately start to grab all of my belongings and then hopefully can find Jules. I'm honestly beginning to start stressing a little bit. Something feels...off.
"Alright you guys, go wait on the bus, I need to wait on Jules."
As much as I don't want to have to wait and then be alone with Jules, at the end of the day I am a teacher and it is unacceptable for me to leave a student behind.
I wait by the bathroom for another good three minutes but then I see one of my students start running towards me.
"Ms. Reed, she's already on the bus. Some of her belongings are there but the bathroom on the bus is locked so I think she's in there."
I feel a wave of relief wash over me. I'm beginning to question why she would choose to go on the bus without telling any of us first?
Whatever. That's three days worthy of detention for her and her sorry ass for when we get back.
The bus ride on the way back to the hotel is buzzing with the chants of victory. My students who are normally quiet, have unleashed this inner lion in them that I never knew existed. It was truthfully refreshing to see kids this happy. It's something you rarely ever see these days.
I can relate although I am not a teenager.
However, I have been feeling happier recently.
The ride back isn't long and we arrive at the hotel before I know it. Before leaving the bus, I begin to do roll call.
"Ten, eleven, who's twelve? Oh! Where is Jules?"
"She hasn't left the bathroom yet but can we please go inside. It's Texas and this bus is going to make me suffer from heat exhaustion."
I don't like Ashley's attitude whatsoever but I am letting her get away with it only because I agree.
It is so fucking hot.
"Uhm, yea. I'm going to wait for her in the lobby so everyone go to your rooms please...and begin getting ready for reservations. You have an hour and a half."
The kids start rushing out of the humid bus. While they're leaving, I notice Maisie had grabbed Jules's stuff. Did Jules ask her to do that? Whatever. It's not really bothering me so I follow behind the last student out.
They were right, it was too fucking hot in there.
While I'm walking into the lobby and sitting on one of the couches, all I can think about is how stubborn and irritating Jules is. She's so open but so closed at the same time and she only thinks about herself.
Still, I forget about that and am completely drawn to her.
I'm looking at all of the 'congratulation' messages I have received from my friends, family, and my co-workers. I felt happy to know I helped accomplish something big at our high school.
"Ms. Reed?"
I turn my head and see one of the kids Brooklyn, I think, beginning to rush over towards me with her face as pale as a ghost.
"Yes?" Something inside my stomach turns and I'm beginning to feel sketched out and uneasy. "What is it?"
"Jules, Jules's stuff is gone. Her suitcase is gone, all of her belongings, everything!"
I stand up immediately. I might not know all of my students' names but I can tell when they're telling the truth.
And right now, she is telling the truth.
I immediately rush back outside and step on the bus.
I make my way to the back where the bathroom is and I open the door.
Nothing.
No sign of anyone having been in this bathroom at all.
Jules is gone.
I feel like I am trapped inside of a nightmare and I cannot wake up. I decide to walk up the the bus driver to see maybe he knows where Jules has gone.
"Did a girl come on the bus before the group of girls came? Like, individually?"
He leans back on his seat with his arm on the steering wheel.
"Nope. Just those kiddos who came on together."
Fuck. Now I'm really starting to panic.
"Ms. Reed we found something!"
Maisie and Ashley start rushing towards me. I'm so furious and paranoid right now that the tiniest thing such as their voices is pissing me off and is something I really can't deal with right now.
"What is it girls? I'm under a lot of stress right now-"
Maisie hands me a folded up note, with the front reading Ms. Reed
I look at Maisie and then back at the note with my mouth slightly agape, curious of what this could be.
"It was on our nightstand. We didn't read it, don't worry."
I open it up and begin to read.
"Hey Ms. Reed or Georgia,
The word 'winning' is invisible but today, everyone felt victorious because of that word. I am a physical thing but I felt invisible. This wasn't my victory, I don't belong here, with this team. Or you. I'm going to the place where I feel the most visible and comfort...back home. Please don't give me detention.
Sorry, Jules"
I feel a punch to the gut and feel myself about to pass out but I don't.
All I want to do is stand in the position I am forever. But she's my student and my responsibility and I have do something about this.
"Maisie, Ashley," I say as my trembling hand folds the paper up carefully and placing it in my pocket, "let the other girls know we're going on the next flight back home."
They rush to get the other girls but I still stand there frozen, staring at the empty space Jules once was, finally letting the words on the note sink in.