Motherless

40

Hector

I stared at the ceiling like it had answers.

It didn't.

The same thought kept looping through my brain like a broken video:

She needs help.

She doesn't want help.

But what if something happens and I didn't say anything?

My stomach had been tight since we got back from lunch. I barely made it through last period. And now I was lying on my bed, hands behind my head, trying to figure out how to tell a mom that her daughter was breaking in ways she couldn't see.

What if Talia never forgave me?

What if she looked at me like I'd betrayed her?

But what if I stayed quiet... and something worse happened?

A soft knock hit my door.

Before I could answer, it swung open.

"Dinner's ready, emo boy," my sister sang, stepping into my room without an ounce of shame.

"Ava, get out."

"Why are you lying in the dark like a villain? Dang, who hurt you?"

"Nobody."

She flopped dramatically on the edge of my bed, making the whole mattress bounce. "Ooh. That's a lie. It's totally a girl."

"It's not."

"Which means it is." She grinned. "Spill."

I sat up, groaning. "It's nothing like that. I just... have a friend going through stuff. Serious stuff. And I don't know if I should tell someone or just... be there."

Ava tilted her head, getting a little more serious. "Is someone in danger?"

I paused. "I don't know."

"Well, that's a maybe, which already sounds like a yes."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "They asked me not to say anything. But I can't stop thinking about it."

She nodded slowly. "Sometimes being a good friend means doing the thing they'll hate you for... because you care more about keeping them alive than keeping them happy."

I looked down at the floor. "It's not that simple."

"It never is."

She stood up, dusted off her hands like she just solved world peace. Then she turned and grinned at me like a cat. "Also, you said they, but I know that's code for a girl. You like her."

"I don't."

"Oh please. You went full protective golden retriever during that sentence. It was adorable."

I groaned into my hoodie.

"Does she know you're totally in love with her?"

"I'm not."

"She's doomed," she sighed dramatically. "So tragic. Anyway, come eat. Mom said if you're late again, she's giving your rice to the dog."

"I'll be there."

Ava headed toward the door, but paused with her hand on the knob. "If this girl matters to you, and you think something's seriously wrong, tell someone. Even if she's mad, she'll thank you later. Or... maybe she won't. But at least she'll still be here to be mad."

She left before I could answer.

And just like that, I knew what I had to do.

First thing tomorrow, I was going to find Ms. Winslow.