I clutch at my heart, gasping slightly for breath. The world flickers darkly and suddenly I hear Austin's voice: "Zoey! Zoey!"
Hands are shaking me, but I can't find the strength to move. Slowly I blink the world back into focus and shove myself to my feet. Austin and Clare stare at me uncertainly.
"They didn't want you?!" I tell, trying to cover up my fall with anger. "I'll- I'll- ugh!"
"Zoey?" Clare asks. "I'm okay. I don't care. Just miss Nance... But are you alright?"
I glare and kick the ground.
"Zoey, should we-" Austin tried, but I interrupt, perhaps a bit too savagely. "I'm fine, fine enough to yell in your face."
Austin has The Look on his face, which means that he is about to retort with something, then I'll have to answer him, and Clare will be stuck for what could possibly be ten years.
"Don't," Clare implored, holding out her hands. "Not right now, please."
I kick the ground again and mumble, "Whatever. ...How's Nancy?"
Clare shrugs. "I think she's happy with them. They miss you, of course, but they love her." Her voice is tinged with the slightest bit of envy. "She tries to be mad 'cause they didn't want me, but it's obvious she's happy."
I nod with a small smile. "Good."
Clare glances at the clock and jumps. "Oh no- I have to go. Sorry!" She quickly hugs us both and scampers out of the room.
Austin and I look at each other. "It's so weird having her recognize me..." he says quietly. "Just a huge chunk gone."
I nod. "I'm sorry-"
"Don't," he cuts in. "It wasn't your fault. But if you're actually sorry...why'd you fall?"
"I don't know." Then I jump up. "Oh no!"
"What?" Austin says, jumping up as well, alarmed.
"I left-" I leave my sentence hanging and race out the door. Austin barrels after me, and I keep a good pace, but he catches up.
"The - dog," I pant. "I forgot my dog." Suddenly I need that dog. I picture it, abandoned. "Austin!" I screech. "I need my dog!"
***
Smugly, I sit on my bed, stroking the little dog. Austin is ticked beyond words, but I have my dog, so I don't care.
YOU ARE READING
Journey Home
RomansaZoey has been living in Miss Flavrin's orphanage for most of her life, but now that she's seventeen and has finally figured out where her parents live, she's decided that, with the help of her best friends and roommates Nancy and Clare, she's going...
