life is a bitch or how death tore us apart and pulled us together

the Date

Hayley's point of view

I woke up still feeling tired and exhausted, but I had to get up, no matter what.

I unlocked my phone and found a new message.

"Looking forward to seeing you again today. I'll wait for you after school, okay? "

I stared to smile.

" Good morning to you too, Chris. Yeah, that's fine. I'm done at half past two, will skip the last two hours. ", I wrote back.

" :) :) " was all that I got as an answer.

Shaking my head I stood up.

Mom was still sleeping and I would be really silly waking her up now.

So I woke up the little ones and helped them getting ready for kindergarten.

I heard Ian before I saw him. He was coughing harshly into his fist when he entered the kitchen.

My brother had bags under his eyes and I felt really sorry for him.

"You're okay? ", I asked concerned.

He shrugged and nodded.  " Guess I have to. "

His voice was husky, but not weak. He would never show weakness around other people.

" Oh darling. ", I sighed.

He did not want to eat breakfast, but helped me with Ben and Annie.

From the kindergarten where we parked the little monsters we walked to school together and I had the feeling that his cough got a bit better in the fresh air and his voice got more understandable.

" Good luck today. ", he said.

I smiled back. " You too. By the way - could you please pick up the little ones again after school?  I'm actually going out with someone and would extremely appreciate two hours of no trouble. ", I said growing red.

Ian laughed loud. " Sis is having a date?  Uuuuh. "

He smiled at me. " Of course. Have fun!  And don't you dare come home without being kissed! "

I laughed and slapped him friendly on the back of his head.

" Careful,  little brother! "

With that I went to Joanna and Susan, the two girls I had kind of grown close to during the last week. They were kind, nice and did not judge me.

Smiling quitly in expectation of the afternoon, I made it through all the lessons without any trouble.

Not even Nick was able to pull me down.

" I'm sorry, miss, but I don't feel well. My stomach is hurting if you understand what I mean... ", I said to our young PE teacher and looked at her with big eyes.

I mean - it was really that time of the month again, but I would never, ever leave school because of that.

The teacher looked at me. " Oh. Of course, you are dismissed. Just get well soon. "

I smiled at her and left the room.

Half past two - perfect timing.

" So? Missy is leaving school? "

I heard the voice from behind me and rolled my eyes.

" You have to speak. ", I said.

He jumped in front of me and blocked my way.