It takes a couple minutes before Heather lets her parents know that everything is alright and I let Mrs. Campbell take care of the parents while my people take care of Heather. There are a few hugs and a bit of an apology between Kyle, Masha and Heather when it comes down to me. I get some space for us as the buses start arriving and we're alone for the first time since last year when she was stalking me.
"You didn't have to be here," Heather says as we walk," I mean I would understand if you wanted to keep me at arm's length."
"No need to, you aren't who you were and we believe that, even me Heather. I mean you would have been calling all my girls sluts and telling me how I'd rule the day I left you," I joke and she laughs.
"I remember all of it, I was nuts," Heather says with a sad chuckle," I think the term is manic-depressive. I didn't pay attention when they told Mom and Dad what was wrong with me."
"Well now that you're back with reality I gotta tell you I don't like the old bag lady look," I tell her, getting a sad laugh," Kori and the girls want to help you, I want to help you."
"Help me how, you can't be everywhere," Heather tells me plainly.
"Well I spoke with the Student body President, cool guy but a bit of an ass, and he's taken it upon himself to make sure you have someone assigned to you for every class of the day plus your advisor is his and we have you set up for make up credits through the school online system which has been paid so that you can make up your missed classes from last year," I tell Heather who stares at me amazed.
"Who would do all that," Heather asks, stumbling over her words a little as my people come to find us.
"I'd like to present to you Class President Guy Donnelly who won last year on a write in vote," Kori tells Heather who is stupefied by the news.
We explain the new ruling situation to Heather as we walk her to her first class with Matty and Natsuko. I head off on my own and once done with my two classes, Jun sets it up to where I'd be done early; I set off to take care of things at my school. Sure enough I catch a glimpse of Heather on her own and a pair of girls from what looks like the Punk set harassing her.
"Queen bitch is back, not so high and mighty now are you," an Asian girl asks as a white one I recognize steps up, Vicki from last year.
"I think we need to give her a makeover," Vicki says, grabbing Heather by the shirt.
"Please, I was wrong and I'm sorry. I was mean but please don't do this," Heather begs, too scared to defend herself.
I start to whistle a low tune, it's subtle but it takes the Asian girl a second before she sees me slowly walking and gets Vicki's attention. One look from me and Vicki lets go as I walk up and my presence alone has them back up.
"Ladies, why? Why are you doing this? Didn't we get past all this last year, the persecution, the discrimination and crude intimidation," I ask them quietly.
"She led them, she made sure everyone who wasn't with her suffered," Vicki says trying to plead her case.
"She did yes, but she has suffered. She has lived with her shame and pain, she came back here as a penance for her crimes against everyone including herself. She lost her way and you decide to debase yourselves by intimidating her," I ask, turning my voice to one of sincere questions.
"Guy we're sorry, we're not strong," Vicki tells me as her friend nods in agreement.
"You are strong, you stood up to my stupid cult or regime or whatever you want to call it. I did wrong by you and I expect everyone to hate me but I am sorry," Heather says trying to step in.
"Ladies there are classes that need to be attended, Vicki I will see you at study group yes," I ask her and get a nod.
Minor crisis averted, I keep an extra eye on Heather as she heads back to her class after a visit to the restroom. My day goes off without a major incident and it's as if my family and I are all assembled. I'm about to hold court when I see Heather approaching us nervously. I point her out to Kori who moves to her and brings her close.
"We all have our issues; we all have done some things that have hurt each other here. I'm letting all that go, so are my girls. Going forward from here all debts are settled, I understand pain but we are either all together or anyone can walk away from me and my girls right now. I won't think any less of you if you do," I state for my assembled masses.
Nobody moves and I note that Ben is up on the back of Devin's truck keeping looking out and I smile, no prompting just on duty. I move up so that my people, a very extended group of followers that surround my family, can see me.
"Bring me Hideo," I said loudly.
The crowd parts as Hideo, a younger and less scared version of Jun. Isaac, my crew's personal spy, steps up with Hideo. I take note and hold my hand to the side for Isaac to step forward.
"I asked for Hideo, you stand with him brother," I ask Isaac.
"Yes, he has helped for nothing. He has done work for us when there was no reward other than the freedom that others would enjoy," Isaac tells me with a very well prepared speech.
I move Isaac aside and stand in front of Hideo. He's not as scared as he was last year, I note that he doesn't wear glasses like Jun did and he's changed his wardrobe from prep to casual.
"I need technical support, not a geek or a nerd. I need an expert who can meet demands when they arise. You stand in the shadow of my first brother Jun," I tell him expectantly.
"I won't fail you; Jun was my friend and looked out for me before he joined up. I just want to prove that I can do what is needed," Hideo tells me with a little waver in his voice.
"Good now would you please crack Kori's phone for free data usage or something because she's downloading way too much shit," I ask him, getting a laugh from everyone as he steps past me.
I would have brought Vicki in today and by the expression on her face she is looking at the rejection pretty hard considering Hideo and her started dating over the summer. Group blending, gotta love it. Vicki starts to leave and I turn on my angry voice.
"Vicki get your ass over here now," I bark and the assembled masses freeze and part the space between her and me.