Familiar Faces [a donnie darko fanfic]

Chapter Eleven

"I'm sorry if I freaked you out yesterday," Donnie apologized on the bus ride to school. We sat all the way in the back, away from everyone else.

"You didn't freak me out." Donnie's reaction appeared to be puzzled.

"What does that mean?" he asked, the growing concern showing on his face. I reassuringly squeezed his hand before continuing.

"It means that none of this is your fault, you can't help the things you see or the coincidence in that book. But it scares me. I don't think your crazy, trust me. I'm just afraid for you. Please don't try to push me away during all this."

"I won't," Donnie said. Ronald and Sean moved back near us and began talking to us, mostly to Donnie. I didn't mind; we had discussed the main things of importance already and I needed to clear my head the rest of the way to school.

We entered the school, ready to brave the long day ahead. "Oh I forgot. Sam wanted me to tell you, she and her dance group won her talent show," Donnie told me right before the bell rang.

"Tell her I said congratulations," I replied with a smile.

"Will do." We parted ways as more people came bustling through the doors.

I approached my movie scorers the next day. "I'm going to finish filming this Saturday, then I'll be editing the film. Are you guys almost ready?" I asked eagerly.

They nodded, beaming at me. "I really appreciate your help," I added. I left the building once the bell rang and headed for the bus.

"April!" I heard a familiar voice shriek. I whirled around to see Bayley, grinning widely. "After we wrap up the movie on Saturday, do you want to come to my house and spend the night?" she asked.

"I'll have to ask my mom," I said, walking to the back of the bus.

"Of course, I know that but do you want to?" she questioned.

"Of course I want to." Once again, my mind was racing. I had a lot of things to do. My homework, wrapping up the filming, keeping up with my friends. All I needed to do was take a deep breath.

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"I spliced together the first two scenes," Dylan informed me as we washed the dishes from dinner. He lowered his voice. "Mom seems a little down again."

"We'll keep a watchful eye on her, ok?" Dylan nodded. Our mom exited her room and helped us finish cleaning. She offered us a weak smile and told us that she didn't need anymore help. I hope that she knew she was loved and needed.

Half of the crew showed up on Saturday, because other people had already finished their parts. Donnie didn't come, but Lacey, Bayley, and several others came. The remaining scenes nearly took the entire day, leaving me exhausted and slightly irritable.

My mom had allowed me to go to Bayley's house, just so long as I had made sure my assignments were completed and I came home in the early afternoon on Sunday to finish my chores. "Take care, mom. I love you. Bye , Dylan!" I said, grabbing my overnight bag and waving. Bayley and I got in the back of her mom's car quickly.

"Hi, April," her mom greeted. "How've you been?"

"Good, what about you?" I asked in return.

"Good, good," she answered, focusing intently on the busy road. The minute we arrived at Bayley's, it was major kickback time. We threw off our shoes and sprawled ourselves out amongst the two couches in her living room, preparing for a marathon of movies.

"There's Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Karate Kid 2.. Stand By Me; I say we watch all of them."

"That sounds good," I agreed. Nothing like a good movie marathon to clear my head. We stuck to only watching two, then saving the others for the next. Then, we stayed up into the middle of the night snacking, gossiping, and occasionally venturing outside.