It was the same way for three days. I'd get to school nervous and full of anticipation, always to be disappointed when she wasn't there. I started to worry. "What if she's hurt? What if she's dead?!" Every day I arrived shakier than the day before. One day my teacher stopped me as I was about to leave the doorway of her classroom. "Is something wrong?" She asked, a concerned look on her face. "Where is she?" I asked the teacher. I needed answers. "The school is just as worried as you are!" The teacher replied, trying her best to console me. "We haven't heard a thing!"
The next day I was prepared for her to be away again. I sat in my desk, counting the minutes until I could go home and return to the comfort of my own room. Suddenly, the door opened with a loud creak. I turned my head and there she was! I'm sure my ears perked up like a dog. She shuffled across the room, taking her regular seat beside me. That was when I got my first good look at her. She looked awful. Her skin was pale like a bedsheet. Her eyes were red and tired. I leaned over. "Are you okay?" I asked. "Never been better!" She said, unsure that she really hadn't been. "Hey.... Umm.... Would you want to... Like.... Do something.... I mean... On the weekend, or something...?" I managed to choke out. It had never been this hard to talk to her before. She responded by putting a finger on her lips and mouthing one word. Later.
"So... About that date!?" I wheezed, hurrying to follow her down the sidewalk. "Date?" She asked, turning to face me. "Ya... I thought we could...." I started, but she interrupted me. "Sounds great!" She exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "But could we have it in a place that's a little private?" My heart nearly skipped a beat. "Sounds great." I muttered, barely able to talk. I watched her turn and walk back home, grinning.
