All My Friends Are Dead

Chapter Eight: Her Too?

A week has passed, and the numbers have more than doubled. 126 infected, 64 dead. Elias has settled in great, and everyone loves him. We've been watching a bunch of different movies since we had no choice but to stay inside. Mom hasn't been feeling good lately and we're scared. So far, she's just had a stomachache, but I think it's a lot more serious. We finally convinced her to go to the hospital, but she hasn't gotten back to us yet. We are so worried, and we don't know what to do. Elias and I have had a lot of late-night talks and we've bonded a lot. He comforts me when I know I need it. Maybe he's not that annoying kid I've always thought he was. we get another news notification. 200 infected, 107 dead. I start to wonder what this will mean for our town. I then got a call from mama. I answer, but it's not Mama's voice. "Hello, is this Estella Rivera?" the voice asks. "yes' 'I answered, my voice shaking. Elias is sitting next to me, and he grabs my hand after hearing my voice shake. "We have some unfortunate news about your mother." tears start rolling down my cheeks as Elias moves closer to me. "She has been infected with this virus. We do not think she is going to recover. we are so sorry, but you will not be able to see her." they hang up. I look over at Elias and he pulls me into a hug. I cry on his shoulder as he reassures me that everything will be alright. I beg him not to leave me and he promises that he won't. He mentions how we will have to sit down with Theo and Andy and tell them what happened. That makes me cry some more and he hugs me tightly. Just then, Andy calls up to me and asks what I planned on making for dinner. I tell her that we can order whatever she wants, and she gets ecstatic. This makes me cry some more. how am I supposed to tell her about mom when she is this happy. Elias explains how he's going to be right next to me no matter what and that makes me calm down a little. Maybe this won't be so bad after all with him by my side.

I went into my bathroom and washed my face and put some mascara on before going downstairs, so it did not seem like I was crying. Andy chooses chick fil a of course so we all order our usual. I also ordered some groceries because we are running low, and we cannot go out and get some due to the virus. The groceries get here first so we all put them away while waiting for dinner. over dinner, Andy asks about mom. Elias reaches over and puts his hand on my thigh as I lie to her and tell her that I have not heard from anyone. We finish our food and then go to our rooms. I check to make sure Andy and Theo are asleep before talking to Elias about mama. He tells me how he believes I did the right thing. My anxiety starts to get very bad. Elias starts to tell me about how he went through this and how he went through this on his own. "I know how it feels but I need you to know that I will always be right by your side through this whole thing," he explains. "You can't be sure of that," I say. "Yes, I can, I will make sure of it." he explains. I give him a hug. He gives the best hugs I've ever experienced. "Hey Elias?" I ask. "yes?" he answers. "Can you sleep next to me tonight?" I ask. "I mean, if you want me to then of course" he says. I smiled and we put on a movie.