The Light of Roria

Chapter Five

It had been two full days since I had flushed my seemingly normal reputation down the toilet, with Jake bearing witness. I desperately wanted to avoid him and was able to do so the first day by calling in sick with the fakeness—I mean, stomach flu.

The second day was slightly more challenging. I wouldn't be able to miss my night classes that evening, and it just so happened that I would be on shift at work with a girl named Ashley, who shared the same math class with me. I couldn't possibly "be too sick to work" and then miraculously recover less than two hours later. So I was forced to come up with an alternative plan. And by "alternative plan," I mean ducking behind plants and vendors as I dashed my way through the mall.

I was lucky enough to avoid running into Jake, but that didn't keep me from worrying most of my shift that he might walk past me or that he would see me during my lunch break, which is why I chose to eat in my car.

Taking a bite of my turkey sandwich, I raised my ringing phone to see Staci's picture pop up on the screen. Wanting answers, she had of course ambushed my room that same night, disregarded my sleeping state. When I had told her everything (leaving out the fact that I was currently seeing things), she was genuinely bummed out for me and told me that Jake would most likely give me a second chance, if he had any decency, since it wasn't my fault I got sick. Although heartfelt, her words didn't comfort me. But Staci hadn't been there to actually witness my outburst, and if she had, her opinion of the matter might have been different.

"Hey," I said, my voice disheartened.

"I want to have lunch, but you're not at the fountain or in the bookstore. Where are you?"

I sighed before admitting where I had chosen to hide. "My car."

"Seriously, Adi?" Staci began sternly. "You've stooped to hiding in your car?"

"I need time to recover, OK?" I hit my forehead against the steering wheel dramatically.

"Whatever. Are you parked in the usual area?" she asked with a frustrated sigh.

"Yes," I answered, with another large bite of my sandwich..

"I'm coming." Staci quickly hung up before I had a chance to reply.

Staci hadn't even reached my car before my mother began to call.

"Mom, I really can't talk right now, but I'll call you tonight after work on my way to class."

"Jelly Bean, I'm cooking potato salad and meat loaf for dinner tonight. You should come!" my mother said quickly and enthusiastically before I had a chance to hang up. It was a favorite dish of mine and not one I ever turned down—but tonight not even food was comforting.

"Sorry, Mom. I've got some stuff to deal with, so just save me a plate. Love you, bye."

"What kind of st—" she tried to ask as I pressed end.

Staci abruptly marched toward my car, ripping open my door and yanking on my arm.

"What the heck are you doing?" I yelled as I held myself in place.

"Jake is looking for you. He approached me before I got outside and asked about you. The guy seems genuinely concerned, Addisyn! He mentioned that he wanted to stop by after work today, but didn't know how you'd feel. I don't care what you say; you are going back in there right now to talk to him!"

I gripped the steering wheel while she yanked with all her might, the two of us straining while I shook my head. I imagined the two of us looked pretty ridiculous to those nearest, but not even that managed to persuade me "No way! Nope! Not gonna happen! I'm not gonna make myself look any more stupid than I already do!"