Ben and I walk out of the house. I try not to look back.
He looks rad with blue hair. Better than me, which isn't surprising. Whatever memory Ben has, he still remembers how cool he is and how much he doesn't care what other people think.
My neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto, are on their porch, and they wave to me, real friendly like they always are. I wave back and ask them how they're doing.
"Fine, just fine, dear," Mr. Yamamoto says. "You and your mom okay?"
"Yeah, we're both doing okay," I tell him. There's no point in worrying them more than they already are.
"Stay awake," Mrs. Yamamoto says. Again, it's obvious, but coming from her, it sounds wise and hopeful.
"You too."
I'm about to climb into Ben's car when I make a decision. Eleven Ritalin isn't a lot, but it's more than most people have. And like I said, maybe it's more than I really need, so I share a few pills with Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto. I don't want to be selfish and hoard them. That doesn't feel right or fair.
They can't stop thanking me. And I keep thanking them for being such good neighbors to me and my mom.
YOU ARE READING
WAKE ME UP
Short StoryIt's 2040, and 18-year-old Tiana admits to sleeping through most of her life. But Ben woke her up. How could he not? All those scars intrigued her. They may be an odd couple, but being cast as some sort of Romeo and Juliet never made much sense...
