“Nathan,” Mary interrupted, “Dr. Peterson wants x-rays of her back, focused on her shoulder blade area, and of the left side of her face. I’ll be in the hall when you’re finished.” She nodded to Karla and walked out the door.
“Okay Karla. Let’s get Andrew’s pictures and you can tell me what the heck happened to you.”
“Mr. Parks, I haven’t talked to Rylee yet and I’d rather her hear this from me.”
“Understandable. I promise I won’t say anything to her unless she approaches me about it. Now what happened?”
Karla sighed deeply. She’d known as soon as she’d seen him that he wouldn’t let her evade his questions. “I was attacked at school by a boy who I thought was really sweet, but turned out to be just the opposite of sweet. It would’ve been a lot worse if Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Wright hadn’t heard me scream and stopped him.”
“Wow. I’m glad they heard you. Where were Rylee, Callie and Conner?”
“They’d went to class already. I needed to talk to him alone and they understood. Now I wish I’d let them wait for me.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks, Mr. Parks.” Karla smiled shyly at him. He’d always been really nice to her.
“Okay that part’s done. Sit up and I’ll get some of your face and we’ll be all done. I’ll personally review these and take them to Andrew when I’m done.”
As he took the x-ray of her face she thought about what Callie, Conner and Rylee were going to say when they find out what happened. She knew they’d be worried about her and she didn’t want them to worry, which is why she’d sent them all a text before she’d left the school.
“All done. I’ll let Mary walk you back and I’ll be there as soon as I can to go over these with y’all.”
“Thank you, Mr. Parks. I really appreciate you not saying anything to Rylee until I get the chance to talk to her.”
“You’re welcome, Karla. I’ll see ya in a few.”
Leslie was on the phone when they walked back into the room. “Rylee, honey, calm down please. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but Karla is fine. She’s right here with me.”
“Leslie, let me talk to her. Maybe I can calm her down.” Karla walked over to Leslie and Leslie handed her the phone. She heard Rylee’s rapid questions before she even brought the phone to her ear.
“Rylee, chill!” Rylee immediately went quiet at the sound of Karla’s voice. “I’m okay. What have you heard?”
“Oh my God Karla. We’ve been so worried about you. What happened?”
“Can you, Callie and Conner come over after school? I’ll tell you all at the same time.”
“Yeah, sure. Can you answer one question for me though?”
“Umm..sure.”
“Did James really attack you? That’s what we’ve heard and that’s why I called Leslie.”
“Okay. Yes. That’s what happened. I’ll tell you all about it when you come over later. Ask Conner and Callie to come please.”
Rylee paused for a minute before she sighed. “We’ve already called our moms and are leaving as soon as they get here. We’re coming over in just a little while. Mr. Johnson okayed us to leave after we confronted him in his office earlier.”
“I’m not home Rylee. Leslie insisted on having me checked out so we’re at the hospital.”
“Okay. Well we’ll all be leaving here in just a few minutes and we’ll go home first and wait for you to get home.”
“Okay. That works.” Andrew and Nathan walked in just then. “I have to go. Andrew’s here and I should get to go home in a few minutes.”
“Okay. We’ll see you at your house later. Bye.”
“Bye.” Karla handed Leslie back her phone and looked at Andrew. “Please tell me I can go home now.”
“You don’t have any broken bones, so that’s something at least, but you do have severe bruising and some pretty deep scrapes on your shoulder blades. You also have some bruising and swelling on your left cheek bone.”
“Andrew, stop being a doctor for a second and just talk to me please.” Karla interrupted him.
“I’m sorry, Karla. Here it is. I’m writing you out of school tomorrow because I don’t want you there getting jostled around. You’re going to be really sore and I’d rather you stay home and relax.”
“I figured as much. I can go back Thursday though right? We have finals in two weeks and I can’t afford to miss anything.”
“Rylee’s in all your classes and I’m sure she’ll keep you up to date on everything, but yes, you can go back Thursday. I am writing you out of any kind of physical activity until Monday though.”
“That works for me. Can I please go home now?”
“Yes. Leslie just needs to sign your release papers and you may go. I’ll see you tonight at home.”
Leslie signed the papers and helped Karla put her hoodie back on. Karla stuffed her ruined shirt in the trash can on the way out of the room and Leslie vowed to buy her a new one just like it as soon as she could.
Karla fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Leslie woke Karla up after she stopped in the garage and helped her into the house. Karla laid down on the couch and immediately fell back to sleep. Leslie sent Rylee a text and a few minutes later she arrived with Callie and Conner. Leslie led them into the kitchen so they could talk without waking Karla.
“Is she really alright Mrs. Peterson?” Rylee asked as soon as they were seated at the table.
“Physically, yes. She has some scrapes and bruising on her back and a very clear print of his hand on her face, but those things will heal. It’s her emotional wounds that I’m concerned with. The three of you know just how badly she was abused and I’m hoping this doesn’t cause old memories to resurface.”
“I wish I hadn’t gone inside this morning. If one of us had stayed with her none of this would have happened.” Rylee said sadly.
“We all should have stayed and waited for her.” Callie agreed.
“I don’t think you all being there would have stopped him from reacting like he did. Plus Conner being there may have made it worse actually. When she told him she didn’t want a relationship with anyone he immediately brought Conner into it. He said some very hurtful things to her and when she tried to walk away he grabbed her arm and pushed her into the wall. Mr. Johnson has it all on video from the security cameras, which thankfully also pick up sound.”
“She got hurt because of me.” Conner spoke for the first time since they’d left school.
“No, Conner.” Karla spoke from the kitchen doorway. “This isn’t your fault. It’s James’.”
“Karla!” Rylee yelled and jumped up from the table.
Karla held up her hands to stop her friend. “I’m sore Rylee, really sore, so don’t grab me too tight.” Rylee slowed down and hugged Karla gentle, thankful that her friend was really alright. “I’m going up to get a shower and find something comfortable to wear. I’ll be back down in a few minutes and tell all of you everything that was said. Leslie, would you mind helping me please? I don’t think I can get this hoodie off or wash my hair by myself right now.”
“Of course I’ll help you. I’ll be right up.”
“Thank you.” She said then turned and walked up the stairs.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Help yourselves to anything you want.”
After she left Callie went to Conner and wrapped her arms around him. “She’ll be okay Con. She’s strong and she has us. We’ll help her get through this.”
“I can’t help but blame myself sis. If I hadn’t been stupid and said what I did on Thanksgiving she would never have accepted his movie invitation in the first place.”
“You were pretty stupid for saying that, but this isn’t your fault. James did this. James is to blame.” Rylee told him as she hugged him too.
“The girls are right Conner.” Leslie said from the door. “This isn’t your fault and I know Karla doesn’t bl
ame you.”
“Karla got hurt because I was scared. I really like her Mrs. Peterson and I want more than friendship someday. I was so stupid when I said that all we’d ever be is friends, but I sort of freaked out a little when my mom made that comment because I don’t want Karla to feel pressured in any way. We had just talked before dinner that night and agreed that friendship is all we’d have right now and I didn’t want her to think anyone was pushing her into anything she didn’t want.”
“Conner, I need to tell you something that James said to Karla that directly concerns you. He told her that the reason you backed off and only wanted to be friends was probably because you found out something from her past. That’s when she tried to walk away from him. I know she didn’t believe him, but sometimes doubt can surface in anyone.”
Conner dropped his head into his hands and sat like that for a few minutes. He blamed himself and nothing anyone said was going to change that right now. Karla, the only girl he’d ever liked, was hurt because he’d pushed her away and she’d trusted the wrong guy. No more. He was going to tell her his feelings the first chance he got and hope that she’d forgive him.
When a hand gently brushed his shoulder he knew it was her and he looked up. “Ready to hear everything?” She asked softly. When he nodded she sat in the chair beside him and told them everything that was said between her and James. Conner’s hatred of himself and James grew with each word she spoke. When she got to the part where James pushed her against the wall and kissed her Conner stood up and walked around the large kitchen. He’d never had anger issues, but right now he’d like nothing more than to rip James’ head off.
“Before I left school Mr. Johnson assured me that between the video and my statement James would be expelled and never be allowed back into our school again.”
“Karla I am so sorry you got hurt.” Conner said as he sat back down beside her.
“This wasn’t your fault Conner.” Karla assured him.
“Karla I need you to know that your past is not why I backed off. I really like you and I’m sorry for what I said on Thanksgiving. I just don’t want you to feel pressured. I really hope you can forgive me.”
“Conner there’s nothing to forgive. I’m not ready for a relationship right now and I know what James said isn’t true. He was trying to hurt me with his words and when that didn’t work he hurt me physically. You, Callie and Rylee are my three best friends and I couldn’t stand it if I lost any of you. I think we should wait until we’re older to attempt anything other than friendship. I know you feel the same.”
“I do feel the same.” He agreed.
“Then stop blaming yourself please. I don’t blame you for any of this.”
Conner looked into her eyes and knew that she didn’t, but he also knew that self-forgiveness was the hardest kind of forgiveness and that’d it’d be a while before he was able to forgive himself.
Chapter Sixty
The next day passed quickly and when school was out Conner, Callie and Rylee came over to give Karla her assignments and update her on everything that was going on at school. “Apparently James has been in trouble for something like this before.” Rylee told her as soon as they were all seated at the kitchen table.
“How’d you find that out and what happened?” Karla asked.
“I found out through his friend Hunter. According to him at the beginning of the summer James asked a girl named Lindsey out and she agreed to go play mini golf with him. He did the same thing he did with you, took a simple date as a relationship promise. When she found out about it she told him the same thing you did and he went nuts. He beat her up so bad that she had to go into the hospital. James had to go to anger management and do community service all summer because it was his first offense. This time he won’t be so lucky.”
“Wow.” Karla was shocked that she didn’t see the signs. In the past she’d always known what was hidden beneath someone’s calm exterior. “I can’t believe I missed the signs.”
“Karla, none of us knew this about him. We’ve known him for years and didn’t know.” Callie told her.
“Yes, but I have dealt with this type of personality for years and can usually pick up on it immediately. I missed it with James. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t looking for it though. James is unstable and now, hopefully, everyone will see that and get him the help he needs.”
“According to Hunter last time it was just her word against his. This time they have video evidence and Mr. Johnson’s and Mrs. Wright’s witness statements. He’ll go to juvie this time.” Rylee assured her.
“Karla, can I ask you something?” Conner asked tentatively.
“Anything Conner.” Karla answered.
“If I hadn’t said what I said at dinner on Thanksgiving, would you have ever agreed to go to the movies with him?”
“Probably not, but that does NOT make this your fault Conner. James is the unstable one. James is the one who took it to this point. James is the one who hurt me. Not you.”
“She’s right Con. James is at fault here, not you.” Callie told her brother.
“I just can’t shake the thought that if I hadn’t said what I did then you’d have never agreed to go out with him and none of this would have happened.”
“If it wasn’t me it would have been someone else Conner and that person could have gotten seriously hurt. I’m fine. My physical wounds will heal. I don’t blame anyone but James. He did this, not you, not anyone else, just him. He’ll hopefully get the help he needs now.”
“Hopefully.” Conner, Callie and Rylee all agreed.
****
The next morning Karla was still pretty sore, but she needed to be back at school. She needed to get back into her routine. When she went downstairs Leslie and Andrew were sitting at the bar sipping coffee and looking at their laptops. Andrew looked up when she entered the kitchen and a look of concern crossed his face when he saw that she was dressed for school. “How are you feeling this morning honey?”
“I’m a little sore still, but I need to get back to school. I don’t want to miss anything important. I’m fine Andrew. I promise.”
“If you’re sure then I’m okay with it. If it gets to be too much you have to promise to call Leslie and leave though okay?”
“I promise. Thank you Andrew.” She smiled at him and grabbed an apple for breakfast.
After she was finished eating she went upstairs and brushed her teeth, grabbed her stuff and headed back down. She checked her phone and saw that it was almost time for the bus so she called out a quick good bye to Andrew and Leslie and headed out the door. When the bus pulled to a stop she got on and went immediately to her usual seat with Conner and sat down.
“How are you feeling?” He asked her when the bus started moving.
“I’m alright. Just a little sore, but I needed to get back to school today.”
“We’ll be here if you need help with anything. You know that.” Callie said from the seat behind them.
“Yeah, I know and that’s why I knew I could come back today.”
When Rylee got on the bus Callie looked at them and smiled. “I need everyone’s help.”
“What’s up Callie? We’ll be glad to help if we can.” Karla answered her
“Well Chase’s birthday is Sunday and I haven’t gotten him anything yet. With Karla getting hurt and Conner being in a mood I hesitated to ask, but I’m really starting to freak out a little. I have no idea what to get him.”
“He’s a really big football fan right?” Rylee asked.
“Yeah, but I don’t know anything about football.”
“Do you know his favorite team?” Conner inquired.
“Yes. He likes the Titans. Why?”
“I was thinking that you could get him a jersey or something like that. I’m sure he’d like anything you got him though.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. You are an awesome brother Conner. Thank you.”
“I know I’m awesome.” He replied with
a grin and a wink. “You’re welcome sis.”
“Who’s up for shopping Friday after school?” Rylee asked with a smile and Conner groaned.
“I am. I have to buy some clothes for my trip anyway. Leslie insists I need at least four new outfits.” Karla responded with a smile at Conner’s groan.
“Awesome. This is going to be fun.” Callie chimed in.
Karla smiled at her friends as they continued to talk about shopping and when the bus stopped in front of the school she followed them off and into the building. It was going to be a good day, she thought to herself as her friend’s laughter reached her ears and caused her to laugh with them. It was going to be a really good day.
Chapter Sixty-One
Throughout the day several people approached Karla and asked how she was. By lunch she was tired of answering questions, but knew she’d be forced to if she remained at school all day. When Hunter, James’ best friend, approached her she was a little nervous. “Karla, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Umm..sure. Have a seat.” Karla said, not offering to move away from her friends.
Hunter sat across from her and looked around at her friends. “I was hoping to talk to you alone, but I guess this will be okay. I talked to James last night.”
“I’m sorry Hunter, but I really don’t want to hear it.”
“You need to hear it Karla because he’s saying things that may cause problems for you.”
“What’s he saying?” Conner asked, anger laced his words.
“He’s saying that Karla came here after being involved in some pretty bad stuff in her past. That her parents sent her away to live with the Peterson’s because they couldn’t handle her anymore and that if she doesn’t straighten out here then she’ll be sent off to military camp.”
“He’s lying. If that were true she wouldn’t be in the Advanced Program.” Callie told Hunter.
“I know it isn’t true. I’m just telling you what he’s saying.” Hunter told them.
A New Beginning (The Second Chance Series Book 1) Page 18