Trust Me

Chapter 3

"Wake up sleepyhead," Mom says. She is so bipolar. Friday morning, she woke me up yelling, and now she's being nice. Probably because she knows I hate Mondays. And I scared her half to death last night.

Luna jumps up into my bed, and starts licking my face, which is my cue to take her out.

"Okay Luna, one second, jeez," I groan. I'm still really tired, and my limbs are sore from running home so fast last night.

I groggily step out of bed, and pull on my coat, hoping the weather warmed up, just a little, over night. As I step outside, I find no change in temperature whatsoever. But the sun is shining, which is always a plus.

Luna runs out into the yard and starts rolling around. She acts as if she's never been out before, and it's the first time she's seen grass.

"Luna, go potty," I command. It's so cold out here, and I'm eager to get back into the house. She obediently listens, although I swear she gives me the stink eye.

Within 5 minutes, I'm back in my room, deliberating what to wear. I guess I could wear my favorite jeans, and a long sleeved, purple plaid, button up shirt. I probably need to get my purple scarf, too. Now onto more pressing matters; shoes.

My black, imitation leather boots would look good with this I guess. I would wear my bright purple heels, but its so cold out there, my feet would freeze off. This will just have to do. I can't wait till summer.

************************************

"Cute outfit," Tiff comments as I step off the staircase. She has two breakfast bars in her hands, and she reaches one out towards me. I reluctantly grab it; I would eat a normal breakfast, but I took to much time getting dressed.

"You two ready to go?" Josh asks. He drives us to school every morning. Yes, I am 16 so I can drive, but I choose not to. To save gas, although I do have a license, and I share a car with Tiff.

"Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be," I mumble. Did I mention I hate Mondays? Luna sees me grab my backpack, and she looks up at me with these sad puppy dog eyes that make me want to take her with me. I wish I could, but that's another reason I hate school. No pets aloud.

Tiff nods, and we all head out towards the car. The second the cold air touches my skin, I zip my charcoal black jacket up as far as it goes, and pull my scarf tighter around my neck. It may not be cold enough for snow yet, but its still enough to make me wish it were summer. Although it doesn't take much for me to miss the warmer months.

I climb into the passenger seat of Josh's black truck, which he bought used. I'm pretty sure it's as old as I am, if not older. He loves it anyways, even though it is always breaking.

As we drive to school, I stare out the window as we pass the trails. I can almost swear that I see a doe and her fawn walking on it, so peacefully. I wish I could just run today. Sure it's cold, but if I dressed right, I'd be fine. Why do we have to go to school anyway?

The fifteen mile drive seems to end too fast, and before I know it, we are pulling into the school parking lot.

I slowly get out of the truck, and say goodbye to my brother. He heads over to his friends, leaving Tiff and I alone. Looking at her, it's hard to believe we are related, let alone twins. Her long, straight blonde hair, and baby blue eyes contrasts my long, black hair, and emerald green eyes. Even so, we are twins, as is evident by the fact that we share the same parents, and have the same birthday.

"You ready?" she asks, giving me a weak smile. She doesn't understand why I hate school so much. It's not so bad, except for the fact that Caleb is always tormenting me.

Normally, he's annoying me as soon as Josh leaves. I look around, but don't see him. Which is odd, because he almost never is absent. It's almost like he doesn't get sick. Ever.

Well, I'm going to take advantage of his not being here, and put a smile on my face.

"Yeah," I reply to Tiff. She is taken off guard that I don't reply with some remark about how evil school is. Still, she just smiles, like always.

I head to my first period class, which is History. I sit by Caleb in that class, so I guess I'll find out soon enough if he is out today. As I turn into the class, it's impossible to mask the disappointment on my face.

Caleb is sitting where he always does, with an off look on his face. I sit down next to him, and brace myself for one of his nasty remarks, but one never comes. I look over at him, as if checking if he really is there. That's when I notice he is shivering uncontrollably.

"Caleb," I ask, "are you okay." I surprise my self with the concern in my voice. Why do I care? He's evil to me. He looks at me, as if trying to acknowledge my existence, but when I look into his eyes, its like he isn't really there. I look away, because I don't want to feel the concern that I can't fight.

"Lottie," he croaks. I stop moving altogether, and slowly turn my head towards him.

"What did you call me?" I ask. He has never once called me Lottie, only Charlie. Now I know something is wrong. Maybe he has a fever. Since he isn't himself anyway, I reach out and touch his face, expecting to feel feverishly hot skin. I'm taken aback when I realize his skin is ice cold. Something is definitely wrong with him.

I took Health as one of my electives last year, and I'm searching my brain for memories. His symptoms are personality change, cold skin, uncontrollable shivering, and confusion. All of a sudden, it becomes very clear to me.

I pull out my phone and check the time. The bell will ring in 3 minutes, and the teacher left to go to the bathroom. I know what I need to do, so I text Josh.

'911 meet me @ ur truck. Will explain later' I hope he'll respond. I don't know what else to do. I can't just let Caleb die...I know that hypothermia can be fatal. I'm not supposed to care about him at all though. Then why am I so scared?

"Ok Caleb," I say really slowly, "you are really sick, so I'm going to get you to the doctor so you can get better. Ok?" He looks very dazed, but nods his head, and when I reach out for his hand, he hands it to me.

As we walk to the truck, I let him lean on me. I silently ask my parents to forgive me for skipping school, but it is an emergency. I'm almost to the double doors that leads to the parking lot, when Tiff conveniently comes out of the bathroom.

"You creep, get off of her!" She yells, but before she attacks him, I intervene.

"Tiff, I think theirs something wrong with him. I'm going to take him to the ER." I whisper, hoping no one will hear us out here.

"Why do you care what happens to him?" she asks. It's a valid question, but one that I don't know the answer to. I open my mouth, then close it again. Tiff gasps.

"Lottie, you like him!!!" she exclaims. I shush her, and then I try to defend myself.

"No I don't. Now are you coming or not, because we have to leave now!" I can't hide the anger in my voice. I'm irritated, and I need to get to the hospital, now.

Tiff doesn't say anything, but she follows me as I head out towards the truck. The second Josh sees Caleb leaning on me, his face turns beet red, and he starts stomping towards us.

"Tiff, get in front of me." I whisper.