I lay in my bed, covered in blankets, staring at the sun. How can it still shine? How can it possibly be able to when my sunshine was stolen from me? It feels as though it's taunting me. His maniacal laughter rings in my ears.
My dad knocks on the door. He is in worse shape than me. He hasn't shaved since the funeral, making his face look scraggly. His eyes are purple and baggy. He hasn't had much sleep in the last few days. I can hear him crying through the walls. Since he saw Mary he hasn't been the same. It's so much worse than the last time. His eyes, the same grey as mine, pierce my heart with a pain so harsh it makes my vision blur.
"Are you going to school?" His voice is weak. His sunshine was stolen from him too. Both of them. I shake my head.
"Do you want anything to eat?" That question earns another no. He sighs and shuts my bedroom door, leaving me in silence.
I put my head under the covers, annoyed with the world. The sounds of the birds hurt my ears. It feels as if I can feel the world spinning around me, while mine is at a stand still.
My phone buzzes on my bedside table. I groan. Whoever it is, I hope they enjoy being ignored. It buzzes again. And again. And again. Yep, they definitely hate being ignored. I reach for my phone, almost falling off the bed in the process.
It's Casper.
C- If u aren't at school today i will find u and shove oreos down ur throat
Secret of mine: I absolutely hate oreos. They taste disgusting.
C- people piss me off
C- school's no fun without u
C- friendly way ;)
I roll my eyes and place the phone back on the table. He doesn't need to know that I'm awake and not going to school. My phone starts ringing. I look to see Casper's name lighting up my screen. Hoping he'll take the hint, I reject the call. He doesn't give up there. He calls three more times. Doesn't he have class? If he's not in class I will find him and force him to be there. Torture.
Five minutes pass without a single call or text. I sigh with relief. It's finally quiet. My phone rings again. I groan. So much for quiet. I don't even look at the phone as I answer it.
"What do you want Casper?" My voice sounds harsh. Good, I'm annoyed.
"Actually, this is Riley." I sit up straight in my bed. Why am I suddenly so nervous?
"Uh, hi." I haven't spoken to Riley in 6 days, since the funeral.
"Do you wanna do something?" He asks.
"Yeah, I want to sleep for the rest of the day." I close my eyes. That sounded really stupid. He probably thinks I'm selfish.
"I meant do you wanna do something with me?" I can hear the smile in his voice. I have to turn this conversation around so he doesn't think I'm some stupid girl that cares about nothing but herself.
"Aren't you at school?" So much for that plan. I look at my alarm clock which reads 10:03.
"There's nothing there for me if you aren't there."
"Since when do you flirt?" I ask, genuinely confused.
"I'm only stating the truth." Okay, my heart hurts from all of it's fluttering.
"Fine, meet me at my house in 20 minutes." I can hear his deep chuckle as I hang up the phone. He sounds like an old man.
I get dressed quickly, putting on an oversized hoodie and jeans. As I'm slipping on my converse I start to worry. I really hope my dad went back to sleep. Either that or he doesn't check on me again today. But what if he needs me for something?
Maybe I shouldn't go with Riley. I would much rather sleep all day. Or forever. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.
Just as I'm about to call Riley back and cancel, he knocks on my window. I guess I have no choice now.
