Embrace by Cherie Colyer

say?”
    But I only saw a ghost of the friend I knew behind those deep brown eyes. “Nothing. You sure you’re okay?”
    “Yeah.”
    Mrs. Parris told everyone to listen up, then droned on about the Civil War. Until Kaylee’s blood-curdling scream startled half the class, including me.
    “Kaylee,” Mrs. Parris said. “What is the matter with you?”
    Kaylee was crouched on top of her chair staring at her backpack, which was on the floor between us. “Get away from me!”
    “Kaylee Bishop, that is quite enough,” Mrs. Parris demanded. “Get down from there!”
    Kaylee screamed another earsplitting cry in response.
    I watched in horror along with the rest of my History class. Kaylee continued to stare at her backpack, shrieking loud, piercing screams all of Essex County could hear, and seeing something no one else did. Books, papers, and pens landed on the floor with thuds and clanks as she shoved them aside and kicked the chair away in her haste to scramble on top of her desk. The chair’s metal legs screeched as it skidded several inches across the tile, and Kaylee looked at it as if it was on fire.
    Mrs. Parris pushed her way out of the room through a throng of students who had already arrived from other classrooms. They gasped at the sight of a hundred-and-ten-pound junior crouched like a cat on top of a desk, screaming as if her life depended on someone, anyone, helping her.
    Kaylee pointed frantically at the History book in front of me, shouting what sounded like “Madison, give me the book!” but I wasn’t sure. As I watched my best friend on top of that desk, I wasn’t sure of anything.
    Paige snickered and handed Kaylee her book instead. Kaylee swatted at the imaginary fire or thing or whatever she thought was in front of her. Her short brown hair hung in her eyes. When the book slipped from her hand, she frantically looked for another. My eyes caught shy Natalie Parker’s tear-filled ones while several other students snickered.
    Emma went to hand Kaylee another book. This snapped me out of my stupor. I jumped up and knocked the book from Emma’s hands, sending it flying across the room.
    “Stop it!” I screamed to every laughing jerk in the room before facing Kaylee. With both hands held out to help her, I said, “Kaylee, come down from there.”
    Kaylee hopped on top of her desk like a frightened bird trying to escape. I was afraid she’d fall off.
    “Please, Kaylee, let me help you.” I ignored the warm tears that streaked my face and took a step closer. Kaylee’s eyes darted all around me as her whole body shook. I could hear Josh yelling for others to get out of his way.
    “Kaylee, can you hear me?” I asked. “It’s okay, I’m here.”
    Kaylee sprang backward, evidently forgetting she was crouched atop a three-by-four-foot perch. I lunged toward her, knowing there was no way I could keep her from falling, but Josh caught her and pulled her to him. His muscular arms pinned her to his chest.
    My gaze met Josh’s golden brown eyes. Fear and confusion penetrated his, as if to ask, What happened?
    “Get them off of me!” Kaylee kicked both legs. Josh held her tighter.
    I didn’t know what I was supposed to get off her, but I brushed the imaginary intruders from her jeans and arms. All the while, Josh whispered in her ear, “It’s all right, babe, I got you now.”
    Finally, I combed my fingers through her tangled web of hair, brushing it away from her eyes, and rested my forehead against hers. “You’re okay. I promise.”
    Mrs. Parris came back with Mr. Stoughton, the Economics teacher and an ex-football player.
    “You got her?” Mr. Stoughton asked, almost as if to say that if Josh didn’t, he would.
    Mrs. Parris put a shaky hand on Josh’s shoulder. “We better get her to the nurse.”
    Josh nodded. With his arms still wrapped around Kaylee, he guided her out of the classroom. I pretended not to see the numb expressions around me and grabbed mine and Kaylee’s things before