Phil's Kid

Ch-62-Alright-?

. . .

I forgot mom and dad were in the same room as me. That's embarrassing. Can't wait for the car ride home...

. . .

"So, you and Karter?" Mom asked from the passenger seat while I sat behind her in the back. I groaned in annoyance, expecting this question. "Were just friends." I said annoyed. "I was worried about them, and after what happened to Jammie." I mumble the last part. "It's good to have friends your close to and care for." Dad said from the driver's seat. "Exactly!" I said a bit too loud.

.   .   .

Of course, I liked Karter, who doesn't like their friends? Yes, I care for them, but who didn't care for their friends? Sure, Karter is the one I meet most recently our of our little friend group, but I still care for them as I would the others. If I think about it, it really hasn't been that long since we meet, it's kind of like we're growing closer faster. Maybe because of all the things that are happening?

But even before that, I felt some sort of connection with them. I'm glad Karter is opening up to us, especially me, more. I remember when we first meet they would stutter, and not talk a lot. Now look at Karter, they don't stutter in our group too much, and I feel like they're talking to us more. Maybe they were just shy. I'm so proud of them. I kind of feel like an older sibling. What? Wait. What about Jamie? I'm closer to her, but I don't feel like she's my sister. Then why do I feel like an older sibling to Karter?

.   .   .

When I get home early from school I sit on the couch and text Richard first, since I knew he was awake right now.

Alex
- how are your injuries?
- the new nurse didnt check on your injuries

While waiting for a response from Richard I text Karter.

Alex
- this is for when you wake back up
- and dont read if your still tired
- sorry I had to leave you my parents came to take me home
- idk why I had to leave early to
- I wish I could still be with you
- and be there with you when you wake up
- I hope your mom is ok
- maybe we can call latter to
- text me back when you wake up
- and make sure to rest

As soon as I finished texting Karter for when they wake up I get a text from Richard.

Richard
- yeah im good
- they just needed me at the principals office
- so I got checked out after I left
- you werent there
- where did you go?

Alex
- my parents came to take me home early
- idk why I had to leave to tho
- did you see Karter?
- how are they?

Richard
- they were still asleep when I left

Alex
- they woke up earlier
- then I had to lay them down to make them go back to sleep

Richard
- that's good

Alex
- so why did you get called to the principals office?
- and what happened while I was trying to unlock a door without key
- lol

Richard
- Id rather tell everyone at the same time

Alex
- when Karter wakes up?

Richard
- yeah
- I want to call you Karter Noah and Jamie and tell you all

Alex
- oh
- seams serious?

Richard
- yeah
- something like that
- hope Jamie won't mind calling tho

Alex
- Im sure she wont mind

Richard
- hope so
- gtg
- talk to u later
- when we can all call
- by

Alex
- bye

I sighed turning off my phone. "So." Mom said sitting next to me. "We got a call saying a fight went on, and you were involved?" She asked me. I looked at her confused. When dad sat next to her I looked at him confused. "Can you tell us what happened?" "Sure." I nodded my head.

"Karter didn't show up at school, and so we went to look for them at lunch. I was trying to unlock the closet without a key." I couldn't help but giggle at myself. Gosh, I was so stupid. "After a while, Richard came back from chasing someone and gave me the key. I went in and found Karter." I pause as recall the memory.

Karter was there laying on the floor on their side facing the door, one hand resting by the door where there were scratch marks on the door. The other hand was placed over their stomach where their yellow sweater was stained red. They looked up at me with dull eyes, that had tears pouring from them. More red stained the sweater, as the stain grew bigger. The red moved to the floor slowly creating a puddle. It wasn't just red, it was red blo-

"You found Karter?" Mom askes placing a hand on my shoulder looking at me with worry. That snaps me out of the memory. "U-uh yeah." I say turning my head to look at them. I see both my parent's worried faces. "Then Richard cane in and carried Karter out to the nurse." I summed up.

"So you don't know anything about a fight? Or didn't see it?" Dad askes. "No." I shake my head. "But Richard was hurt. He just told me he got patched up after he went to the principal's office." I tap my phone that's laying next to my leg.

"Ok." Dad nods his head. I'm not sure if he's happy by what I told him, or released, maybe both? When I look at mom she seems, more relaxed? Maybe it was a good thing I didn't see the fight.

"Um." Mom coughs. "We need to talk so..." She trails off. "Do you mind going upstairs for a bit? You're not in trouble." Dad says. "Ok." I say.

I grab my bag and as I'm about to head up the stairs I remember something. "Dad?" I turn to him. "Yeah?" He askes. "Do you want your jacket back?" I ask pulling one of the sleeves down for his jacket I'm still wearing. "Nah, you can keep it." He smiles at me. "It suits you." "Thank you!" I say then run-up to my room.

.   .   .

A wife turns to her husband looking worried. "Do you think he should stay at that school?"

.   .   .

Another wife turns to her husband. "What are we going to do? I mean, a friend like that?" The husband replies. "I think we should talk about whether he's staying in that school or not."

.   .   .

A different wife turns to her husband. "What now?" She askes worried. The husband sighs. "Well, he obviously can't stay there anymore."

.   .   .