Dare to Fall

Chapter XI

Thank you @MadisonElina_11 for sending me this cover on Twitter! I really love it.

***

I woke up around 9 AM, the sound of my alarm clock a distant memory. Monday had arrived without my notice, and the reality of being stuck in my bedroom for almost three days was starting to sink in. My mom still wouldn't let me go to school, a decision that felt suffocating. I was itching to escape the confines of the house, but I knew I'd have to endure another round of my mom's anxious "what if" scenarios if I even hinted at leaving.

A knock on my bedroom door broke my reverie. My mom peeked in, her face a mix of concern and warmth. "There's someone here to see you," she announced.

"Hey!" Amelia's voice cut through the air, followed by her enthusiastic leap onto my bed. The giggles came easily, a bright spot in the grayness of my situation.

"I thought you might need some company while I'm at work. Plus, I know how bored you must be in here, so I convinced your mom to let me come over," Amelia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Your mom really knows how to pick her lifeguards!" Amelia added with a wink at my mom, who smiled back.

"Alright, I'm off to work. Hailey, behave. And Amelia, please keep an eye on my daughter," my mom instructed as she headed for the door.

Amelia gave a mock salute. "Got it!"

As soon as the door shut, Amelia turned to me, beaming. "I brought ice cream! Ben and Jerry's, your favorite!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but mirror her excitement.

"Come on, let's head downstairs and watch some TV!" I slipped on my cozy slippers while she helped me up from the bed. We made our way down the stairs, and I couldn't shake the worry that my mom would come back any moment, forbidding me to leave the house again.

"Are you sure your mom won't mind you skipping school?" I asked as we reached the living room.

"Nah, I told her I was babysitting you. Besides, it's a good excuse to take a break," she said, laughing a little. "Not that I want to end up in the hospital like you, though!" She added with an awkward smile.

As we settled on the couch, I couldn't help but think about how surreal this felt. Being hurt had shifted the dynamic in my life, making me the center of attention in ways I had never wanted. Sure, it was nice having Amelia here, but the pitying looks from others—people I barely knew—made me want to crawl under a rock.

"I'll cook us some breakfast first before we dive into that ice cream," Amelia declared, helping me sit down.

"Thanks," I replied, sinking into the cushions. As she left for the kitchen, I grabbed the remote and switched on the TV. Scrolling through Netflix, I paused at The Breakfast Club and pressed play, settling in with a pillow as my only companion.

"Hey! I think I burned the waffles!" Amelia shouted from the kitchen, pulling me from my movie.

I chuckled, pausing the film and making my way toward the kitchen, the smell of something charred wafting toward me. Amelia stood by the counter, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Heh, sorry. I really don't know how to work the waffle maker!" she said, looking down at the sorry remnants on the plate.

"Yeah, I think I've heard enough of that," I replied, reaching for the waffle maker and unplugging it. The sight of the blackened waffles made me laugh.

"I added some whipped cream to make it taste better?" Amelia said, her voice filled with uncertainty.

I shook my head. "No thanks. Let's just toss that. I'll whip up something for us." I opened the trash bin and watched as Amelia tossed the charred remains away. But before I could head to the fridge, she stepped in front of me.