Daffodil Sprouts🌼

Ch. 46 ' Goodbye...?

I'M ALREADY AWAKE when a heavy knock resounds through the room, but it still takes me a while to pick myself up and open the door. I feel so drained and exhausted. And many other tiring feelings.

Mom?

I don't think I'll be able to stand seeing her this morning. I might burst into tears.

With a strength inducing breathe, I open the door. And come to face with Jason.

This is worse.

"Yesmi!" he shouts, face radiating with joy. His elation lifts my mood a bit. "Good morning!"

"Good morni—" I'm barely able to say before he shoves two soccer boots in my face.

"Which one? Which one should I wear?"

I stare blankly at the boots, trying to figure out what this is about.

"Pick Fast!" Jason urges.

"The lemon one," I say. The other one is Pink—the only thing differentiating them being colour. The lemon feels more right.

Jason smirks. "Good choice." He turns to leave but stops. "You're coming to watch, right? You can't miss this one."

"What's that?" I ask, but then it immediately occurs to me. "Oh. It's the match day. I thought that was what you guys played on Monday."

"No, that one was a school practice in anticipation of this one," Jason explains calmly, studying me.

"What about your injury?" I ask, avoiding his hand.

He rolls his eyes. "I hurt my hand," he shoves it in my face and my heart breaks, "NOT my legs."

Because of me.

I nod and start to close the door.

"Something wrong?"

"Huh?" I feign ignorance.

"Is something wrong?"

"With?"

He purses his lips. "Your countenance, it's dull. What's wrong?"

I stare back blankly, head void of lies to tell. Why did he have to notice? He should've just left when he wanted to. My hand makes a fist out of anxiety.

Jason laughs suddenly, startling me. "You were asleep, weren't you? No wonder you look lost, like you were millions of miles away from earth and still trying to make your way back." He shakes his head, still laughing. "Just make sure you're there! I plan to score three goals. One for you, one for Stephanie and one for Dad."

He grins smugly, and I grin back, mood lightened.

"I'll see you later!" he says and bounces away.

'a million miles away from earth and trying to make my way back'

That's exactly how I feel.

Pushing the door close, I go to find my phone to call Dad. If my assumption is right, everyone will be in school today to watch Jason. That includes Mom. We need to talk this over.

It occurs to me now, searching among the bedsheet looking for my phone, that I'll be leaving without my things.

Dad will come to get them later.

You know by then he'll be too busy for you again.

By then he wouldn't care about whatever happened anymore . . . Since I would be where he wants me to be, under his control.

I dust the thought away. He'll get my things. If he can't, he'll get someone to. No matter what, I can't come back here. Who knows what I would upturn then.