*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 9

Expelled

When Monday showed up, Mrs. Hall waited for James to show. She'd been given a note that was for him, and she wanted too know why he was going to be given the note. She'd already read it. James came in, "James, this note is for you..."James took it and tried to read it, failing. Mrs. Hall took it back and told him what it said, "It was a note from Nicolas' father. He said you were being a bad influence on his son, and he doesn't want you near him again. I'm sorry, but now that this came, I can't let you play with him anymore..."

"What?!" James asked, stunned, "But I didn't do anything!!! All I've done is visit Nick at the hospital! What did I do?!!!!!"

"The note says you've been letting him listen to satanic music..."

"WHAT?!! I haven't brought any music to school except for this little music box!" James pulled out the small music box from a pocket, "It doesn't have any of that music on it, I swear!"

"All the same James. You aren't allowed near Nicolas anymore."

Player squeezed his eyes shut and tried hard not to cry, "That guy is everywhere! Damn it, I should've done something!!!!!" He opened his eyes and made it to his seat. The desk was now on the opposite side of the classroom, by Bruce.

Bruce tried to smile as Player sat down, "It's...okay...James. You...didn't....know it...would...happen."

"But Bruce!" Player whispered, "Nick's dad is that guy who kidnapped you!"

Bruce bit his lip and turned away, "Don't...talk...about...him. My...mom...is still...crying."

Player gasped and tried to comfort Bruce, "I'm sorry...I hadn't meant anything..."

Bruce shook a little as Player put a hand on his shoulder, "I...know. I...just wish...she would stop...crying. She...doesn't...take care of herself...anymore. It's...like...she's completely...different...now."

Player could relate. He still had a hard time remembering how his mother had acted with him. He didn't want that to happen to anyone else..."Bruce, is it okay if I come home with you tonight? Y'know, to help you fix your home back up?"

"You...don't...have to. Mom...is already...looking...at...apartments...for us. It'll...be...cheaper." Bruce pulled out some paper, "We...should...get...back to...school...James."

Player nodded and began working on his letters until the recess bell rang. He took a side trip to the bathroom and gave himself the medicine before joining his friends.

"What?" The principal couldn't understand it. He was sure that James had been someone trustworthy, and now this?! What should he do? James left for recess, leaving the principal alone in the bathroom, "He's taking drugs! No wonder we were given that note about him..." He walked quickly to his office and and picked up the phone. He dialed Kia Grey's number, "Ms. Grey, I need to speak with you."

"What is it?" She asked over the phone, "Has James done something?"

"I saw him in the bathroom only a few moments ago. He stuck himself with a needle! Did you know he's been taking drugs?!"

She gasped on the other end, "But sir, he would never--I know he doesn't take drugs! He only wants to learn how to read!"

"Ms. Grey, I saw him do it. How else would you explain what he's doing?"

"Bu--but sir! He's honest! He wouldn't take drugs at all!" She sounded desperate, afraid, "Give him a chance! He'll explain himself..." The principal almost didn't hear her add the next phrase, it came through quieter than a whisper, "...I hope..."

Kenny, Bruce, Gina, and Player were all trying to think of something to do. The pinball chess game just didn't seem fun for some reason...

Player watched Kenny, sure that the boy would soon become distracted by something and run off to play. Instead, it was Kenny who came up with the first idea, "We could play tag...there's a whole bunch of kids doing that right now."

Player shook his head, "I'm too big to play that game with you guys. If I ever got tagged, it wouldn't be hard for me to get someone else..."

"We could play on the playground." Gina said. She was looking wistfully at the sandbox.

Player watched her and sighed, "Look you guys, you should play without me...I'm not in the mood."

Kenny looked up at him, "Why not? We can't just wait for Nick to come back..."

Bruce nodded, "Yeah...he's...gonna be...gone...at least a...week. We...should...do...something."

Player gently pushed them away, "Exactly. Go do something. I just need to sit right now..."

Bruce tried to keep his mind on the playground, but he kept glancing back at James, who just seemed...hurt. Bruce couldn't word it beyond that. He wanted to go comfort his friend, just as James had comforted him when he'd been kidnapped. He left the other kids and went back to sit by James, "James...you...should...play...with us. It's...not as fun."

James smiled at him, "Thanks Bruce, but I'm just not feeling playful today." James suddenly curled up and whimpered, giving Bruce some very sad eyes. Bruce sat down and patted his lap. James laid his head down and fell asleep, whining with worry.

Bruce held in a giggle and watched him, slowly stroking his head, pretending that James was the pet he would never have, "I'm gonna miss it when you leave, James. I like you..." The end of recess bell rang, jerking James awake and back to his normal self.

He frowned, "I just went animal, didn't I?"

"Yeah." Bruce chuckled, "Let's go back inside." He and James gasped, "I just spoke without stalling!!!! I just spoke normally!!!"

"Bruce?.." James asked, wonder on his face, "Did what I think just happened, happened?"

Bruce nodded numbly, "Yeah. I spoke like a normal kid." His eyes widened. He'd done it again!!!!"

James started smiling, "Bruce, do you realize what this means?!! You'll never be teased about you problem anymore! It's gone!!!!!"

"I'm normal?.." Bruce couldn't believe it, "I'm normal...I'm normal! I gotta tell mom!!!!!!!!!" He rushed inside, happily shouting all the way, "I'M NORMAL!!!! I'M FINALLY NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Player waited for Gina and Kenny to come up, "Guys, did you see that?"

Gina looked at him awkwardly, "What?"

"Bruce spoke like a normal kid!"

Gina and Kenny were stunned. Kenny found his voice first, "Y--you mean, he's not gonna pause between sentences? He can talk like us?"

"Yeah!"

Gina started laughing. It didn't sound like the kind that thought he was lying, but rather the kind that was overjoyed, "Then he's normal! He's NORMAL!!!!!" The three of them started dancing around. Player dropped to all fours and licked their faces until they were covered in slober. He blinked and realized what he'd done, blushing deeply.

"Sorry." He squeaked.

Neither child cared. Both were too happy to get angry.

Gina danced around in wild abandon, "If Bruce's problem could get solved, then so can mine and Kenny's! Our problems aren't as bad as Bruce's was! There's a chance to be normal!!!!!!!" She felt like crying for some reason. She couldn't understand why, but she flet like she needed to cry. She made her way back to James and used his shirt to cry in. James didn't stop her.

"I can't believe it either, Gina. Bruce is normal now..." James spoke softly to her and rubbed her back, "Just think, if he can be normal, so can you...you and Kenny both! Isn't that wonderful?"

She nodded, but couldn't stop crying. It seemed too good to be true...she didn't realize just what had happened until they were inside. Inside, everyone took their seats. Mrs. Hall came up to them, "Gina, Kenny, can the two of you please go wait by my desk?"

Confused, they did as she asked. She said something to James, causing him to get up and leave in a sort of rush. Mrs. Hall went back up to the front of the classroom by them and made them face the class.

Player walked quickly to the principal's office, "This can't be happening! Not now!! How did they find out?" Somehow, the principal had seen him giving himself the medicine before recess, and now...now he'd been found out! The trip to the office seemed to drag on forever as he walked along. He only hoped Kia would be there...he didn't think he could do this alone...he dropped to all fours and sat in the empty hall, whimpering. He was scared...he didn't want to leave! He'd made friends; he'd liked school; he couldn't leave until he knew Nick would be safe! There was the door...

Player opened it and walked inside. The dilophodragon didn't even look up as he sat down to wait. Where was Kia? She should be here. She was always there to help him...why wasn't she here yet? The door opened to the principal's office; the principal called him in. He was nervous again..."Sir, I can explain--"

"Not yet." The principal held up a hand, "Do you know why you're here right now?"

Player sighed, "Yes..."

"Then Mrs. Hall told you?"

"Yes, she did, but please--"

"James Elias, you know that I saw you taking drugs?"

"But sir, those--those weren't--I..." His voice trailed off. He didn't like talking about his medicine. It unnerved him.

"If those weren't drugs, what were they?"

He stayed silent.

The principal nodded, "That's what I thought. Kia Grey is coming by soon to take you home. You know, you really shouldn't take drugs. They won't help you at all."

But they weren't drugs! He needed to say something, anything to convince this man that he wasn't taking drugs! Nothing came to mind...Five minutes later, Player stood outside the school, waiting for Kia to come. The school bell rang, ending the school day. Gina, Kenny, and Bruce saw him as they were heading for the buses.

"James?" Bruce asked when he saw him, "What're you doing out of class?"

Player gulped and said in a quiet voice, "I'm not allowed to come back..."

Kenny heard him, "WHAT?!!!! But we'll miss you!" He looked around, searching frantically for some sort of excuse, "What about Nick?! He'll want to see you when he gets back!"

Gina tugged on his arm, "You can't go! You can't!"

Player felt sick. He had to go...there wasn't a choice for him. He leaned down and gave each of them a hug. Kia came by and took Player home.