One Step Behind

Chapter 21- Dani

The day drifts by slowly. I pretty much nap all day, and cry obviously. Around 7 pm, I head into Miss Quarters' room to check if she has eaten any of the pasta. The plate looks as if she has taken a few, small bites and played with it using her fork. I go ahead and take the plate to wrap it up for later, and make her some tea. When I come back, her eyes flutter open.

"Oh, hello dear," she greets me in a soft voice.

"Hi, your pasta was getting cold so now it is wrapped up in the fridge for later. I made you some herbal tea," I reply, gently handing her the hot mug, and then I begin to walk out.

"Wait, Danielle," she calls my name, so I turn around.

"Yes?" I ask.

"There's something you and your friends need to know," she states, and then my heart begins to pound.

"I found this post it note on the floor. While you were napping, I had gotten up and looked around your room. Could it mean anything?" She questions.

It's a girl.

Almost instantly, I know the note must be talking about Alexis' baby. I feel like I owe Shay's mom to tell her the truth, to tell her what we know, but I can't. We're getting close to answers, and telling her won't help her heal. So, I just lie.

"Maybe it is from annotating? Teachers always made us add post it notes so we understood what happened..." I state, and bite my lip. I was always was a terrible liar.

"I bet that's it," she replies, and gives me a small smile. Then, I walk back to the living room, closing the door behind me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

At 8pm exact, Jonah knocks at the door. I let him in, and then go say good night to Miss Quarters. She's sound asleep so I leave a note on her night stand. Then, I go home. On the way there, the car is dead silent. I feel as if I said anything, I'd begin to bawl. Once we get there, I change, and crawl into bed, all my sad feelings come out in tears.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In the morning, I feel more calm and not like one word will break me. I come downstairs to see Jonah got doughnuts from Tim Hortons, which him and Jacy have begun eating. Jacy's white blonde is pulled up into a messy bun. She's wearing a hot pink, sleeveless shirt with Hello Kitty on it and red shorts with little hearts on them. Jonah has on a long sleeve, loose, grass green with black, grey, and white plaid, fleece pants. I just have on a cami and spandex underneath my plain, black robe. My hair is styled in beach waves.

"Good morning," I say, rubbing my eyes, and yawning. Jonah gets up and walks over to me.

"Morning beautiful, want anything to eat?" He asks, and kisses my forehead.

"Sure, did you get vanilla doughnut with strawberry glaze?" I question.

"Two just for you," he answers, and then I hug him.

"Woah, woah, woah, way too close! I am trying to eat here, what are you trying to do? BLIND ME?" Jacy states, making Jonah and I laugh.

Jonah gets me a plate, and then I put the two doughnuts he got for me on it. I sit across from Jacy, and begin eating.

"So, you're in eighth grade?" I ask.

"Yep, it's so cool. I feel like the queen against the little sixth grades and seventh graders, who are peasants," she answers, and then wipes sprinkles off her mouth.

"That was a great year," I reply, and smile at her.

"Why do you keep smiling? It's creepy," she asks, looking confused.

"You're just so young, so innocent. I wish I was in eighth grade again," I answer.

"Are you KIDDING me?! I might love eighth grade but being in eleventh would be so cool!" She replies.

"It's definitely harder, that's for sure," I say.

"Wait, are you related to Lillian? I think her last name is Morrison too," she asks, and I gulp down my nervousness.

"Jacy, be quiet," Jonah snaps.

"Oh, she's the reason you got kicked out?" Jacy questions.

"You told her?" I ask him, looking him straight in the eyes, and he dodges them.

"I'm sorry, she was curious, and it kind of slipped out..." he mutters.

"Whatever, I'm going to get dressed, and then I'll be out all day," I snap, and then storm upstairs.

"No! Don't go! Dani you have been like a sister you can't leave me! I'll be stuck with this jerk!" Jacy yells.

"Sweetie, I'll just be gone all day, okay? I can come say good night unless it's late," I say, and then walk upstairs.

~~~~~~~~~

I throw on a maroon hoodie and black leggings. Then, I slide on black combat boots over my unicorn socks (don't judge, they're fuzzy and warm). After that, I rush outside and hop into my car. I don't know where I'm going, but I know that I am going to try and get there, and never come back to this house. I packed all my stuff up (it was easy since I had barely unpacked in the first place). I only lied to Jacy because I knew she'd never let me leave if she knew. I know Jonah didn't do anything that bad but still, I need to be alone. Anyways, I don't know how they didn't hear my suitcase banging against the stairs as I ran down them. That should have been a big giveaway.

As I start up my car, I see Jacy open the door, and run outside. I slam my foot on the pedal and pull out of the driveway.

I guess she did hear my suitcase...

"Please don't leave! I'll talk to Jonah! I'll kick him out! I'd rather you be here then him! Please please please," she screams, crying her eyes out. As mean as it is, I ignore her, and drive away. She comes chasing after my car, but once I get to the end of the neighborhood and have to stop, I look back and see her walking the opposite way.

~~~~~~~~~~

I drive to my actual house. When I get there, I walk up to the front door. I am about to knock when I hear my step mom's penetrating voice.

"I know, I know, it's so exciting! I wasn't excepting this at all. Hah, I should probably watch 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' again! I am so happy though. With the little piece of crap out of my way, Daniel and I can finally have a family. Just him, Lillian, the little baby, and I. Just like I've always dreamed of!" She sings, and I run back to my car. Tears spring out of my eyes, and right as I get out of the driveway. My father's car goes by, and he sees me.

"Danielle! Danielle!" He yells my name, but I keep driving. He begins to follow me, but just like Jacy, he stops once I get to the end of the neighborhood.

~~~~~~~~

The next place I think of to go to is Shay's house. I realize I should have gone there in the first place; I need to check on Miss Quarters. The door is unlocked when I go up there, so I let myself in.

"Miss Quarters? Hello? Good morning?" I call for her, but no one replies. I look in the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom, Shay's room, and then finally her room. I see a note on her bed.

Dear Danielle,

I am so sorry to say good bye this way. This town has become too much for me. With Shay's death, the disappearance of Alexis, my rage with Shay and hurting her, just everything has drove me crazy.

I need to get away. For good.

I don't think I'll ever come back. I am changing my name, my number, just everything. Don't try and find me, please. Let me live the rest of my life alone, almost as if I didn't exist.

Please keep the memory of my daughter alive for me. You're the only one that can make people realize how great she is, well, was.

Love you like you're my own daughter.

Take care,

Miss Quarters.

Tears drop down from my cheeks as I set the note down. Both of the Quarters are gone. I can't go home. I can't go to Jonah's. Where do I belong? Do I even belong anywhere?