Evanescent

Three

One thing about my family is that they're always working on some big project. Right now my parents and my older brother, Kellan, are in Honduras for a mission trip.

So I spend my nights at Annie's house. It's actually really fun. Like having a sister. Her family is so welcoming and kind. Aside from her younger brother who was so upset about me moving in, he kept putting Legos in my shoes for the first couple of weeks.

As we drive past my house, I see my window. I shouldn't call it a window anymore really, just a sad hole in her wall with glass borders. "I'm guessing that's where I fell."

"Yeah," she mumbles. "But let's not talk about the incident. Are you excited for school tomorrow?" She asks as we enter the house.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but absolutely! I need something routine after all the craziness! How long was I out?" I ask.

"2 days," she says,", I thought we weren't going to talk about this."

"Why do you care? It's not like your the one who fell from a window," I reply.

"I don't know. I just want it to be normal again," she says.

This left me thinking. Is that what everyone is going to be thinking at school tomorrow? Are they going to pretend to ignore it the same way Annie is? Because I would rather address the issue and get it over with than silently dwell on it for weeks.

We head inside. It's obvious Annie doesn't want to talk about it so instead I tell her to fill me in on the past two weeks of gossip at Bakersfield, California's high school. Nothing much really. Lyssa Deeds is still falling for that stupid boy Jonathan Carmon. Lily Smith still can't figure out who she likes. Allie Carson cheated on Kade Haplaw with Archer Reed. Nothing surprising.

•••••

The next day I walk into school as the same girl I was the last time I did. Sure I got some strange glances but they'll only last longer if I act weird.

I run into Grace on my way to calculus. "Grace! We need to talk," I grab her arm as I talk,'', how did I fall? Was anyone there?"

Grace smiles at me with her lips covered in their usual light pink shade. Today she's wearing a floral dress and heels. "Nessa, you know I would tell you if I could. But the doctor said it would damage your brain more if you tried to remember too early."

"Can you just explain to me how I fell out of a window?"

"No one made you fall," she says and walks away.

There is so much more I want to ask, but if it's true that remembering too quickly could damage my brain, I better let it go for a little while.

Calculus was confusing, along with all of my other classes, because I was gone so long. Although I thought I would have piles of homework, all my teachers just let me catch up in class.

The last bell rings and I head to my locker. It's right beside Jaclyn's. We talk like we used to do. About all our homework and how tired we are. It's really nice.

I'm about to close my locker when I see a small note on the top. I pull it off quickly so Jaclyn won't be suspicious.

Vanessa-
I just want you to know how loved you are. Everyone here at Bakersville High loves you and hopes you can get better soon:)
~Anonymous