The Ocean (27 page)

“I would do just about anything for you. Al of this wil keep her busy and away from us for quite a while.” I spoke softly now, not positive about how much trouble either Jil ian or I was in. Abby and Mason stil stood there staring at us, as was most of the cafeteria now, including Jil ian. “This is just the beginning to make it up to you.” I clutched her hand in both of mine, holding it to my chest. People were talking in a low roar about the article.

Others looked accusingly at Jil ian. She began to survey the cafeteria nervously. A girl who played in the marching band walked up behind her and dumped her tray over Jil ian’s head.

“Mr. Monroe was my favorite teacher.” She turned and walked away, as a cheer rose from the tables near where Jil ian stood now drenched in spaghetti and pudding. Food from across the room was flung toward her. A boy sitting beside her shook up his unopened can of soda and popped the lid toward her, spraying her in a sticky mess.

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” she screamed in a shril voice as food continued to pelt her. Suddenly Mr. Dailey and several other teachers appeared in the doorway. One teacher snatched her by the elbow while others grabbed a few other kids in the middle of slinging food. Mr. Dailey walked over to where we stood, his eyes boring a hole through me. My heart began to pound; I had known this was coming. I dropped Gia’s hand from my chest and held it at my side. Gia squeezed my hand encouragingly.

“Mr. Nichols, wil you come with me please?” He was al business. I let go of Gia’s hand and fol owed him.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?” Jil ian screeched at me, stomping her feet.

“Miss Taylor, please, SHUT UP,” Mr. Dailey addressed her and led us to the office. Six of us sat down in the waiting area. They told Jil ian to stand in place. One by one each of the students who had been caught throwing food were brought in and then brought back out after about fifteen minutes. They had al been slapped on the wrists with detentions for a month.

“Travis, Jil ian, would you please come in?” Mr. Dailey stood in the doorway to his office. We walked in silently, Jil ian sending me daggers. She looked innocently at Mr. Dailey.

“Mr. Dailey, I was attacked for no reason,” she began. He raised his hand to cut her off.

“Travis, you have had these pictures for so long and never came forward; you obstructed an investigation. We have to contact the police as there was an investigation into the matter. What do you have to say for yourself?” He frowned at me from behind his desk. I looked over at Jil ian as she began to piece together why we sat in his office, me in the soft cushioned chair, her in a folding chair.

“I understand that I’m in trouble. I didn’t come forward because I didn’t piece everything together until wel after the fact. Then I wasn’t sure if it was my place. I broke up with her and thought removing myself from the situation would be the best. Apparently it wasn’t.” I glanced at her sideways; she gasped, and I continued. “I’ve told Mr. Monroe everything and have offered to help in any way I can to remedy my mistake. I think Jil ian is the worst kind of bul y because she feels invincible. She has been pretty indestructible since I’ve known her.” I looked down at my hands. Mr. Dailey leaned back in his seat.

“Wel , you are suspended for breaking into school and putting that article in the paper. Did you have help with that?” He leaned forward on his elbows.

“No, it was just me.” He scrutinized me, not believing me.

“OK. Now go to the office and cal your mother. If she gives permission, you can drive yourself home. I don’t want to see you until after fal break.”

“She has some of my personal property that she stole.” I knew I was pushing my luck.

“She wil return it. Now you need to go cal your mother before I change my mind and suspend you for two more days next week.” I stood and left the room as he began. “Jil ian, these are criminal acts. The police are on their way now to question you.” I shut the door. In the office I found out the other students had gone back to class. I used the office phone and cal ed my mom. I told her the short version of what happened. She was disappointed in me yet again. She told me we had more talking to do when she got home from her trip after fal break but for now, just to go home. I hung up and left the office. Hovering in the hal way outside of the office was Gia. She stepped close to me so no one in the office could see her face.

“I told Mr. Franklin that I was sick. Mrs. McCurdy seems to think I’m sick enough to go home.” She winked at me, keeping her voice solemn.

“Wel , you haven’t been feeling very wel these past few days.” I put my arm around her shoulders. We walked out of the school together. In the bright sun of the most beautiful day I’d ever known was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. And she was mine.

***

What Doesn’t Kill Us Only Makes Us Stronger

Travis

Jil ian was prosecuted as an adult. Because it was her first offense, she didn’t have to go to jail; she did have five years of probation and had to register as a sex offender for the next twenty years. I thought it was a little harsh, but the judge said he wanted to send a message to teenagers who sent naked pictures of under-aged children over the web. She was expel ed from school and had to attend the alternative school. What surprised me was the complete turnaround it made in her. She is spending her spring break at UC-Berkley speaking about bul ying and the effects it has on young people. She has actual y spoken across the country and had to do a public service announcement that aired in our state.

I got six months of community service for my obstruction of justice, but it wouldn’t show up on my permanent record because I was a minor. I volunteered at a local shelter for women and children from abusive homes. Gianna volunteered, too, and though my sentenced ended last Saturday, we plan to return to our weekend volunteering after spring break.

Today we are on our way to spend spring break with my father. I’m actual y flying hundreds miles to visit him for the first time in eight years. Hailey sits by the window staring out at the blue sky. Gianna sits between us with me in the aisle seat. My father’s tumor is in remission. He has a new take on life and wants to start over, beginning with us. I only agreed to come if he paid for Gianna to come. He agreed, overjoyed that I would even consider it. I know we have a long way to go, but if he is serious about making an effort, so am I. Gia squeezes my hand as I soften my hard stare at the seat in front of me, contemplating the immediate future.

My strength comes from her. She is also a new creature. Since she had her breakdown and final y cried, she was able real y to mourn her mother.

She truly is beginning to put her life back together. Oliver has taken to fatherhood wel this time around. The three of them are becoming very close.

She’s my rock, and I have a feeling that I am hers, too. I’ve never loved her more than I do now. It seems that I can’t love her more, and the next day I do. She has revived something in me that I never knew I’d lost. We stil spend evenings in her once safe haven that is now our spot. And on those days that we watch the sun set and the tide rol in, I am grateful that she moved back, and that she gave me not one but two extra chances. No matter what happens, as long as we love each other, we wil make it over any obstacle.

***