"Lydia, I didn't know..." Alisha mumbled. "I'm so sorry!"
"This is kinda awkward," Lamar said.
"Guys, it's Mel's birthday. Maybe let's not make this all about one person, okay, Bianca?" Ishani suggested.
Bianca looked like she was about to punch her in the face, while my sister sat there enjoying the drama. I wanted to sink into the floor. It seemed the curse of my birthdays was following me even in this new town. Right now, I was on Lydia's side — I just wanted warmth and friendship. All these fights, secrets, and half-truths were driving me insane. Are there even families and friendships where everything is calm and peaceful?
"What kind of car did Heather have?" Jess suddenly asked.
"Come on, you know exactly what kind of car she drives!" I snapped. The last thing I needed was her dumb questions.
"They're showing her car on the news feed."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused. I could hear the tension in Jess's voice, which was rare. "Just tell me, don't keep me hanging! You're driving me crazy with all these hints, Jess."
Jess silently handed me her super old phone. My eyes widened, and I grabbed my head.
"What happened, Mel?" Bianca put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't stay quiet, Mel. Let us help."
Everyone started looking at each other, not understanding what was going on.
"What happened?" Alisha looked scared. She seemed to sense Jess's mood, like she could read her face.
I tried desperately to read the news headline, but the letters seemed to jump around and blur together. The image of the wrecked car scared me to death.
Is she dead? Is that really her car? Is she dead?
"It doesn't say anything about fatalities," Lamar said. He quickly pulled up the news on his own phone.
"Where did this happen? Where?" I was barely thinking straight.
"I know that place. Let's go," Lydia said firmly.
"Where do you think you're taking her?" Bianca protested. "You don't even have a license!"
"Where do we need to go?" Lamar asked determined.
"The closest hospital to the crash site is the one where my mom works. Let's head there; I'll send you the location. I'll call my mom on the way and find out everything."
"What are we waiting for?!" Alisha cried.
"We should call her mom..." I muttered.
"Let's figure out what's going on first, then worry her," Ishani said.
It was like a dream as we ran to the driveway and piled into the car. The house was left behind with half-eaten food and unopened gifts.
On the way, everyone was talking. Lydia was probably on the phone with her mom, but I wasn't listening. Alisha was saying something encouraging, but I couldn't make out the words. Bianca sat next to me, holding my hand.
"What did your mom say?" Lamar asked. He was driving fast but carefully, his eyes fixed on the road.
"She checked with the admissions desk; they did get a girl in from a crash. We'll be allowed in."
Heather's not dead, right? She didn't say anyone died... I spoke so horribly to her today.
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