Un-Ordinary Girl

Chapter 9

          When I opened my eyes, there was this bright light in my eyes. I tried to shield my eyes with my left hand but couldn't. I looked to my left and realized that the reason I couldn't was because Jackson is holding my hand again. That made me happy. I soon realized while looking around that we were in the infirmary at school. I must have actually passed out. Jackson had just noticed I was awake when Nurse Deidre came in. She looked at me genuinely concerned.

          "Ms. Moore. You, my dear, seemed to have had a dangerous cocktail of reactions in the classroom earlier." I looked at her confused. "You had a panic attack that evolved into an asthma attack. How long have you had asthma because we don't seem to have this information in your health file. Just as well the principal couldn't find an inhaler in your locker or bag." This was all news to me as well as to them.

          "I never knew I had asthma. I've never had an asthma treatment as far as I can remember." And I thought really hard about every aspect of my life really hard and thought of a few things that could possibly coincide with the asthma part. It really would explain why mom only smoked in her room with the door shut. "Have you contacted someone?" This was a really important question in my opinion.

          "The only person we could try to contact was your mother. But she unfortunately didn't pick up." She looked a bit unsure of what she was saying. She was lying. I don't understand how I knew but I knew that she was lying.

          "Tell me the truth Nurse Deidre. She said that if the b***h isn't near death or rampaging through the school killing everyone, then don't bother calling me." Nurse Deidre sucked in some air sharply. Her lips becoming pinched, blushing, and standing a bit straighter. That confirmed that I was right. "I'm fine now. Besides a small pinch feeling lingering in my chest, I'm fine. I can go back to class now."

          "Not a chance dear. You are dismissed from school for the rest of the day. You need to have your mother take you to your primary care doctor and get you set up with an inhaler and maybe also discuss the panic attack." My jaw dropped. That would also mean that I might be late for work! But I can't tell her that. I sighed in defeat. I can't let the school find out about my job.

          "Can I be excused as well? I live next door to her and know her family. Plus I can drive her. I have my license and a car."

          "You'll have to take it up with the principal." He jumped up ecstatic. He seemed very excited by the prospect of taking me to the doctors.

          "Okay!" He helped me up and we made the walk to the principal's office. That was something that I couldn't understand. Why was the nurses office so far from the main office? That is also where the principal's office is, inside the main office. In my middle school, the nurses office was next to the main office. And in my elementary school, the nurses office was inside the main office.

          "Why would you do this for me? And what about the girl you like?" It hurt me to talk about this unknown girl but it was something I had to do and think about. Besides, I didn't want some other girl to hurt like I did right now. "Won't she be sad if you don't see her today?"

          "How could she be? I'm always with her. She's my best friend." This made me annoyed.

          "I thought I was your best friend." How could he have another best friend?

          "You are. I just wish we were more." He whispered that last part almost like he was talking to himself. But by that time, we had reached the principal's office. She quickly agreed to let Jackson accompany me home which I thought was really weird. He drove me straight to a clinic that wasn't too far from the apartment complex.

          "Why are we here? I thought I was going home." I could go ahead and finish the rest of my essay's and get them printed out.

          "After we make sure you're alright. Besides, if you wanna still go to work tonight, we need to get rid of that pinch in your chest. Also, you're wheezing again." How did he know I was wheezing? I sighed and groaned a little but got out the car with him and walked in to the clinic. I was soon seen. I was prescribed Paxil for the panic attacks since I mentioned that I had them in the past and Albuterol for the asthma. According to my medical history that they seemed to have on file, I had an asthma attack one day when mom dropped me off at daycare. It took an hour and a half to get through all of the tests, instruction's, and checking out.

          He drove me to a CVS that was also close to the apartment and I got the prescriptions and took my new inhaler. The medicine from the inhaler tasted horrible. So bad that I actually made a face gagged. Jackson laughed. I scrunched up my face.

          "What is so funny Mr. Stewart?" He kept on laughing but calmed it down some.

          "The face you made after taking your inhaler. It was hysterical." He kept on laughing but started back laughing harder again. I started to get irritated after a while.

          "You still haven't told me who this girl is." I said as a way to change the subject off of my misery.

          "You still haven't guessed yet." I sat silent after that. He did have a point. Plus he also didn't have to tell me for real if he didn't want to. He has given me hints and clues to who she might be. I'm not use to this type of behavior with anyone since I'm usually by myself. Oh well. I'll guess later. He drove me home so I can put my medications away. Grandma was in the house so of course she started her fussing.

          "Katelyn dear, what happened? I come out of the shower and you were gone. I was so worried. Then when Jackson came over this morning to get you for school, I worried even more because that meant that you weren't next door. And your mother. Oh that woman makes me wish she was still small enough for me to put over my knee with her indifferent attitude and not wanting to go look for you." She stopped fussing and looked at the clock in the living room. "Why are you home so early? School doesn't let out for another two hours. And your mother says that you usually go to the library afterwards. What's going on you two?" She scrunched up her face and looked at us suspicious.

          "I had a panic attack and an asthma attack at school today. The school nurse said that I needed to get checked out and that I needed to to home early. Jackson's here because he drove me everywhere I needed to go to keep an eye on my well being." I blushed as I admitted the truth. Usually I wouldn't have to explain my problems to anyone since no one who ever cared was around. I knew we should have just gone to the Wong's apartment because I knew Nana would be here.

          "Why didn't the school just call your mom?" I stayed quiet. "Katelyn? Answer me sweetheart." I looked away from her ashamed. "What aren't you telling me?" Before I could even speak, mom came in the house.

          "I do not understand what they were talking about. You look absolutely fine. You need to go back to school. And you." She pointed at Jackson, voice full of venom and malice clear on her face. "You need to stay out of my apartment, and away from that child."

          "Mom, don't be rude. He helped me out today. He stayed by my side the entire time. I had a panic attack and an asthma attack today at the same time! He was there and helped! He actually cared about me! He took time out of his education to make sure I was alright!" I felt tears welling up in my eyes but I didn't let them fall. I sucked up all my emotions and shut them all down. "I'm ready to go now Jackson. It's time to introduce you to Mr. Roberts." We walked out the door with a stunned mother and an upset grandmother looking at our retreating forms. Once again, I planned on not returning to that apartment tonight. I refused to let her be rude to my new, one, and only friend. Even if I feel like our friendship won't last long.