I'm Not Okay-Chapter Five

Chapter Five1

When Karmen walked off to find out what all the fuss was about, she didn’t expect to learn what she did.2

“Hey Johnny. What’s all the whispering about?” She asked, one of the guy’s in her class.3

“Something’s up with Johnson. I haven’t quite got all the information. But it has something to do with him going to the hospital last night.”4

“Really?”5

“Yeah, scary isn’t it? Hope the poor dude is ok.” Johnny said, starting to walk away. “Start asking people what they know and then meet me by the trophy case in five and we can share info.” 6

“Okie dokie.”7

So Karmen walked off in the opposite direction of Johnny and started asking people what was going on. Not many people knew, but she did get information from one girl, named Leslie.8

“Hey do you know what happened to Johnson?” Karmen asked.9

“Yeah, he went to the hospital last night. When I was on last night, they said he had had a heart attack. Poor guy. I left about midnight and I hadn’t heard anything about his condition.” Leslie said.10

“Wow. Well thanks for the info, Leslie.”11

Karmen walked off towards the trophy case where she saw Johnny waiting for her. 12

“So I found out why he went to the hospital last night.” Karmen said as she approached.13

“Really? No one I talked to knew anything. So why did he go up to the hospital?”14

“Well Leslie said that when she was working last night one of the nurses told her that he was there. Leslie went to find out more and learned that he had had a heart attack. But that’s all she knows.” Karmen said shaking her head. “Poor old guy. Now I feel bad for showing up late today.”15

“Don’t be, I” Johnny started, but stopped short when he saw the Dean coming down the hall. “Oh, this can’t be good.”16

“No, it can’t.” Karmen said eyes wide with worry.17

As the Dean approached the crowd of students got deathly silent. 18

“Good morning, class.” the Dean said. “I have some news about Professor Johnson. As it turns out he went up to the emergency room last night at the onset of what was a heart attack. The doctors did everything that they could for him, but Professor Johnson wasn’t in the best of health. And I’m sorry to say this but the heart attack claimed his life.”19

A wave of gasps and inhaled breaths went through the crowd.20

“We understand that you all were a very close class and we are truly sorry for this loss. Classes will be suspended for the time being and we will announce when the memorial and funeral will be. So please all of you return home to your dorms or apartments.”21

With that all of the students stood there. Some looking lost others confused.22

As Karmen was standing there she realized Sydney, Chad, and Trevor had no idea about what was going on. So she ran to find them, pushing her way through the crowd.23

When the three of them saw the look on Karmen’s face as she walked towards them, they all immediately got quiet.24

“Karm, what’s wrong? What did you find out?” Sydney asked walking over to meet her.25

“Sit down, Syd. It’s not good news.” Karmen said as she walked towards the two guys. After waiting for Sydney to sit down, Karmen told the three of them all that she knew.26

“Oh my.” was all any of them could get out of their mouths.27

“Did the Dean say when classes would start back again? Or who is taking over the classes?” Trevor asked.28

“No she just said that as soon as she knew something we would know something. So really we’re just to play it all by ear for right now and just move on.” Karmen replied.29

“Sort of seems a bit mean and heartless, doesn’t it? I mean the guy that died last night has been our teacher for all four years of our college life and now they want us to just move on.” Sydney said getting ready to cry. “It’s like they don’t consider things like that before they make these big ole speeches. Sometimes I think they do it for kicks, just so to see the students get all emotionally screwed up.”30

“Syd, chill. They don’t mean to seem ruthless and heartless. The school has a job to do and something like this can’t get in the way. The Dean is right we just need to move and try to finish out the year. The school will do the best they can to find a replacement that is similar to Professor Johnson. And then we’ll just have to make do with what we got.” Trevor said in his matter of fact way.31

“Trev, are you ever gonna share that valuable sensibility with any of the rest of us?” Chad said. “Look, I don’t mean to seem, I don’t know, rude but today is supposed to be the best day of our lives. Remember?”32

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s sad that all of this had to happen today but if Professor Johnson knew we had gotten signed he wouldn’t want us to sit around and mope over his death. He knew how much we really wanted to get signed and he would want us to celebrate.” Karmen said shrugging.33

“I guess so. It’s just that it feels weird to think that one person that has helped us get this far in our careers as musicians isn’t here to share it with us.” Sydney said.34

“Yeah true but think of it this way we can always celebrate in a place where his presence will always be felt.” Karmen said with a wiggle of her eyebrows. “What do ya say, let’s pay a visit to our old hang out.”35

As the thought sunk in with all the others Karmen stood there with her arms across her chest waiting for some response. 36

“Come on people, what do ya say?”37

“Well it certainly has a sentimental feel to it. And well we can make it a good bye and celebratory party if we went there. I like it.” Trevor said grinning.38

“Yeah so do I, it has a sort of risky adventurous sense to it. Count me in.” Chad said.39

“Well what about you, Syd? Are you with us?” Karmen asked.40

“Umm… yeah why not? Like you said Johnson would want us to celebrate and if we go there I won’t feel so bad about celebrating the day after he died.” Sydney replied.41

“Alright it’s settled then. We’ll go to dinner tonight as was planned, how’s 7:30? And then we’ll go to the store get some things and head on over there. Sound good?” Karmen asked.42

“Sounds fantastic.” Trevor said with Chad and Sydney nodding in agreement.43