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Bella's return - she's decided that no one knows a damn thing about how quickly fractures of unknown severity can heal, so she's not limping anymore, and wears only a mostly-symbolic handful of (actual) bandaids in some visible locations - is the talk of the school. Mike even talks to her again, solicitously demanding (annoying), wanting the story, wanting to be the first to know if she needs anything, wanting to walk her to class in case she falls; she's cool to him, but not outright cold, she doesn't want enemies if she doesn't have to make them. Tyler Crowley, van driver, apologizes so profusely that she expects him to offer her his life in servitude. Jessica cases Bella quickly and efficiently for any details of the story that weren't obvious (Bella hit by van, injured, out of school two weeks, back with only minor scratches left) and then serves as a very convenient buffer for everyone else. Eric wants to know if Bella has scars. Lauren wants to know if Bella's car is fixed yet. Angela doesn't like the attention she's getting for having been Bella's schoolwork-ferry for the duration.
Bella wants to eat her damn lunch. Sigh.
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self_composed
edgeofyourseat
[Second one? And probably not right now anyway, because class is starting.] Indeed, Ms. Finch is turning to greet the influx of students.
self_composed
[Right. After.] Bella fetches her mat. She'll sit through one more day of stretching and bodyweight exercises and yoga, out of everyone's way, and then she gets to play.
edgeofyourseat
Alice sticks around for class, but departs afterward without stopping for a chat. Hilary is coming to pick him up and take him grocery shopping, and he expects her to be prompt.
self_composed
[Seeya.]
Bella hangs back. She waits till the place is clear of non-Ms.-Finches. When this is the case, she says, "Ms. Finch?"
Bella hangs back. She waits till the place is clear of non-Ms.-Finches. When this is the case, she says, "Ms. Finch?"
edgeofyourseat
[Toodles,] he says cheerfully, just as he spots Hilary's car turning into the lot.
"Hi," says Ms. Finch. "Again."
"Hi," says Ms. Finch. "Again."
self_composed
"Laney" (Ms. Finch would probably understand 'Alice', but that would be a distraction right now) "doesn't want to talk about it himself, but he said I could tell you - the other day his father was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. For child abuse."
edgeofyourseat
Ms. Finch blinks.
And rubs her hands over her face.
"Wish I could say I'm surprised," she remarks. "What kind?"
And rubs her hands over her face.
"Wish I could say I'm surprised," she remarks. "What kind?"
self_composed
"The beating him up every day or three kind," Bella says. "I mean, there was verbal mixed in too, but that wasn't the bulk of the charges."
edgeofyourseat
"Yeah," says Ms. Finch. "Again: wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not. It's been pretty obvious since he got here that there is some part of that kid's life that is immensely fucked up."
self_composed
"I think most of that is actually just him being himself, but yeah," Bella says. "I think he'll get into fewer fights now. Possibly no fights at all. He won't be acquiring other injuries to cover for."
edgeofyourseat
"Yes," Ms. Finch agrees. "He's being himself, and himself is immensely fucked up."
self_composed
Bella nods, shrugs. "Well, I guess I'll call my dad and get my ride home now," she says, stepping away with a wave.
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