Where My Heart Is

Chapter 6

I woke up the next morning with a sore throat. It hurt so bad, I couldn't even swallow. "Oh gosh, no, no, no," I croaked. Talking was a definite no. I felt the hot tears slide down my dry cheeks. This could not happen today. It was game day! Luke was expecting me to go, and I could NOT let him down. Plus, I hated missing school. Even with a choice, I always choose school; I hate makeup work. I quickly unplugged my phone from its charging spot and texted Katie. 

Bad news. Soups bad sore throat! Prob not going to school....or game :(.

Her reply was instant. Nope, tell that sore throat to go back to heck. I have remedies, on my way.

Remedies? What did Katie have up her sleeve this time?!

I slumped out of bed and took a quick shower before getting dressed. Since Katie was coming over, she may as well do my hair and makeup again too. It hadn't been five minutes before I heard Katie's familiar footsteps coming up my stairs. I smiled to myself. Because Katie and I were best friends, we didn't even knock at each others doors anymore. We just walked in like it was our own home. After all, it kind of was. She was like family. 

She busted open the door with an armful of ingredients. 

"What in the..." I muttered to myself as she sat her tray of stuff down on my desk. 

Katie began to mix different ingredients into a glass. She was mumbling to herself, naming off ingredients that I didn't really know. "Alright!" She squealed. "My mom's secret recipe is complete." She handed me the glass. "Bon appetite!"

I looked down into my cup. It was a dark greenish color that did not look very appetizing. "Umm.. Katie? I don't think I can drink this." I pinched my nose. It smelled bad too. 

"Just do it, Em. It will cure your throat instantly."

I frowned at her with a pleading look in my eyes.

She sighed. "C'mon Em. Think about Luke."

Here goes nothing. I speedily gulped down half the drink and slowly swallowed. I gagged and struggled to keep it down. I pushed her the glass. 

"No, no! Keep going and finish it." She pushed it back.

I gulped down the rest and rushed to the bathroom sink where I washed out my mouth.

"That thing...whatever it is....nasty.....ugh," I sputtered. I wiped my mouth on a towel and looked at Katie. She stood there with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. "What are you smirking about?"

"It's gone, huh?" She asked. 

I had forgotten to check in the rush of the nastiness. I swallowed, and to my surprise, felt no pain. I smiled and jumped up and down. "Now I can see Luke!"

******

"Excited?" Katie asked me as she drove us to the football game.

I shrugged. "A little, I guess. More nervous, though."

"It'll be fun!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the car. We walked through the parking lot and payed our way in at the ticket stand. As we meandered to the bleachers to find a seat, we saw Jessica walking towards us from the other side. She passed right by us and accidentally bumped my shoulder. When she looked back to apologize, I saw she was crying. Katie saw it too.

"What was that about?" She wondered out loud. 

"I have no idea. But I think I'll go find out," I said as I nodded towards the top of the bleachers. Luke was sitting at the top with his head in his hands.