October 23, 1997
As Tristan stepped out of her brother's sedan, she felt as if she were walking into a dream. Walking back onto the campus of Steeplechase, and through its halls, she felt as if the past three weeks were nothing more than a passing nightmare. Everything seemed so normal. The level of activity reached a fever pitch as students discussed their winter formal event and their upcoming Halloween plans. Mrs. Collins, the school nurse, was in the school yard handing out permission slips to students for the flu shot. Mr. Davies, the head of the Student Affairs Council of Steeplechase was still hell-bent on chasing the groups of smokers away from the ancient elm tree on the far side of the parking lot. Although Tristan's world had temporarily fallen to pieces, the rest of the world had not. There were, however, a few noticeable differences. The parking space where Bernard Kendricks used to park his polished sports car was now empty, with his name removed with the broad white swipe of a paint brush. In neat black letters, the word vacant now stood where his name used to be.
Ready to get back to her life, Tristan was eager to get back into the classroom. She heard that the substitute English teacher was a very nice lady named Mrs. Mitchell, and that she was a welcome escape from the high standards of Mr. Kendricks. Tristan couldn't help but wonder about the project she failed to hand in. Tommy and Blake reminded her on more than one occasion that she was missing, and she couldn't be failed for not completing assignments during that time. Still, she worried that her grade point average would be wrecked somehow, as a triumphant farewell gift from Kendricks. Tristan wondered if the entire school knew the reason behind Kendricks’ departure, or the story of what happened at her family’s land in the past few weeks. While she wanted her mother's name to be cleared up, she didn't exactly want people knowing all of her family's business. She had earned her right to privacy. Breaking free of her inner dialogue, she noticed that Cole was looking at her quite intently.
As she looked up at him, a smile grew on his face "Are you okay?"
"It just feels weird to be back."
"I bet. Listen, you don't have to feel weird... we have your back." This provoked a smile and a small chuckle from Tristan. "I just want to get back to normal."
Cole took her hand as they walked towards the school together, "It doesn't get much more normal than this."
Liam called to Tristan from the driver side of his sedan. She turned to face him.
"Call me if you need anything, I'll come and get you," Liam said with a worried look on his face. Tristan smiled at him, it was never like him to worry. He was the most laid-back of all the brothers, but after the circumstances of the past three weeks, she could definitely understand why he would be more on edge lately. "Thanks Lee, I'm okay. Well… I'll be okay. See you at 3:00." Liam, taking the hint, waved at his sister before driving off.
Moving through the halls of Steeplechase, Tristan felt her heart begin to race as they approached room 219. Cole glided through the entrance, but Tristan halted, stopped dead in her tracks. She stared at the door frame, damaged from when Jack had kicked it down. Plywood was now secured to the door where the window had once been. She shuddered just looking at it, as the memories flooded her mind. Prior to coming to school that day she kept telling herself that there was no way classes would be held in the same room; alas, she was wrong. The investigation was over, and classes had resumed. Adam and Liam would be coming up this weekend to fix the door for their father.
Running up the hallway, Tommy and Blake were late for class, as usual. Shane, trailing close behind, had white powder from his donut on his lips as he ran to keep up with his cousins. Blake noticed Tristan first. He put his hand on her shoulder causing her to jump, shocked out of her momentary mental prison.
"It will be fine. Mrs. Mitchell is cool."
Still in shock, Tristan tried to erase the stressed look upon her face. With a deep breath she entered the classroom. Cole, with a worried look on his face, watched as she took her seat; he then shot a sideways glance at Tommy, who made a motion with his right thumb over his shoulder, non-verbally telling his pal that he would tell him later.
The first period bell sounded as Mrs. Mitchell walked through the classroom entryway. Dressed smartly in khakis, a red blouse, and a vintage jean jacket, Tristan was surprised by the substitute teacher's appearance. Steeplechase was known for hiring educators who maintained a highly professional appearance. Mrs. Mitchell was a breath of fresh air, completely natural and unpretentious. She entered the class with a smile and looked over her students to see who was present. She paused briefly at the sight of Tristan, then continued across the class as if she hadn't missed a beat.