Moonlight Nocturne

"Sorry, Miri. I'll see you tonight, okay?" She sighs heavily. "Maybe Lou will homeschool me soon."

 

"I hope so," Miri sleepily mumbles.

 

She changes clothes sleepily, and follows Nick out the door. Ughh. School.

She's so not in the mood for this. If anyone messes with her, she's going to punch them.

 

Nick hands her breakfast as they head towards the car...

The drive is pretty, but longer than usual, so Elena... is probably sleepy.

 

She dozes off with her breakfast half-finished, head leaning on Nick's shoulder. Stupid school.

 

He gently shakes her awake once they reach the school. "Hey. Hey. We're here."

 

She startles, going for her knife, wide-eyed. It's halfway drawn before she really wakes up.

"Oh. ... Ugh. Thanks, Nick."

 

He hugs her tight. "....knock 'em dead, alright? I'll pick you up after?"

 

"... uhhuh. See you then." She smiles shakily, putting her knife away, and hugs him tight in return. "Bye, Nick."

 

Around lunchtime, Nick gets a text from Elena.

"kicked out, can u come pick me up?"

 

Nick stares at his phone, texts hurriedly back.

What?

He heads for the door, flipping the store sign to closed and heading for the car.

He... might be speeding.

 

um, stuck in principals office, got in fight?? help?

Sorry!

 

She doesn't get a text back for 5 minutes.

 

She panics, curled up in the corner of the principal's office, starting to cry. He's staring at her.

 

The front doors to the office are pushed open as Nick steps in, looking around, amber eyes worried. "...Elena? What happened?"

 

She's easy to spot, curled up in the corner, crying hysterically and covered in smears of dirt and blood.

 

The principal looks up at him, and frowns skeptically. "... Elena, you need to get an adult to pick you up. I know your mom's in the hospital, but..."

 

Nick moves, quick, to crouch next to her, hands moving to her arms, quick, gentle, warm. "Hey. H-hey. Hey. It's okay, I'm here, I uh..."

He glances at the principal. "I. She's staying with my big sister and her husband, I. Uh. If. If you call the Sheriff's office and ask for Sheriff Wilkins?"

 

She sobs, clinging tight around his neck. "'m sorry. I'm sorry. They were saying things. Can I have my knife back now?"

 

The principal frowns. "The sher--" He pushes his glasses down his nose, looking more closely at Nick. "... Sheriff Wilkins, huh? He's taking care of her?"

He sighs deeply. "Alright. But... Don't let her get into trouble like this again, alright? She's lucky to have a clean record, or we'd be seeking police action."