Beyond The Crash

CHAPTER 30 | [FAMILIAR FEELING <PT IV>]

Staring at the ceiling, Lilley sighed for the; what she called, one hundredth time. Nothing seemed to make any sense to her again. When she thought she had it figured out, something would happen to make her rethink.

She sighed again.
She was hearing things, and now she's seeing things.
What's next? She rolled her eyes in thought.

She snapped out of it when her phone rang. It was her aunt. She quickly stood up and tried to wipe the confusion of her situation off her face. Tried.

She forced a smile.
"Hey aunt, how are you doing?" She dragged out her words.

"I'm good, what about you?" Her aunt replied on the other line.

"I'm good," she lied. "Just... resting."

Her aunt gave her a questioning look, "Are you sure?"
Lilley nodded, way too eagerly than she wanted.

Her aunt sighed. "I'm sorry I haven't called, I've been so busy-"
The network hung for a short minute before continuing. Lilley blinked, surprised before it quickly changed to a poker look.

Should that even be surprising? She played with the hem of her shirt.

"Lilley?" Said her aunt, concern starting to show in her voice. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't look so good. Are you sick?"

Lilley shook her head bearly with the little energy she had.
"I should be fine. I'm not sick, thankfully."

"So, how are you coping over there in Germany? Hope the language isn't too hard for you,"

"Uh," she paused. Right, language.
"Nope! All good and easy!"

"Really? That's nice to know. Now you mentioned a hospital the last time we spoke," her aunt said, seriousness starting to show in her tone.

"Uh... right, yeah, it's nothing," she lied yet again as she felt her stomach twist.

"What do you- hospital is- Lilley?"
The network kept interrupting what she was saying.

"Is it mine or hers?" Lilley muttered as she tried checking her Internet, but it seemed fine.

Her aunt sighed. "I just want you to be alright. I'm second-guessing this,"

Lilley chuchkled tightly. "It's a bit too late for that,"
Not when I'm in another world entirely. She continued in her head.

"I know, but don't worry. I'll visit when you have your break,"

Lilley didn't know whether to smile and be happy or sad. Can her aunt really do that? Is that even possible?
She forced another smile, "Can't wait."

*●|●*

Staring at the ceiling, Lilley sighed for the; what she called, one thousandth time. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore, not like it ever.

She felt out of it the day before. Seeing things, falling... just everything being weird. Or was it her?
She stared at the black screen that vaguely showed her reflection. She had moved to the living room after the network had cut the call.

The only accomplishment she felt she got was the form for joining the volleyball club. And that same form lied lifeless on the table, just like her.

Her energy seemed to have drained in just thinking. The glossy, smooth white walls, perfect smooth ceiling with little lights in them, already furnished house with cute small decor trinkets that she concluded Lindy put there, all seemed dull.

She bit her cheeks and closed her eyes.
Her memory still felt like something was missing... but she didn't know what it was.

She was brought back to that day.
She entered the bus. Saw all the faces that waved her goodbye. Was she the only one on the bus? Were they all there for her?