You Don't Know Me

Family Crisis

CHAPTER 18

I come home from school, desperately wanting to know what the doctor said. I quickly go to my room abandoning my belongings and go back downstairs to the living room but there's no one there. I inspect every inch of my house before dialing my mum's phone which goes straight to voice mail. Panicking, I dial my dad's number but he diverts the call. Then, I hear the doorbell ring which causes me to sigh in relief. I open the door and I’m shocked to find Lily. The fact that it wasn't my parents just causes me to panic all over again. 'What are you doing here?'

'Your mum told mine that she's going to a little late or something and she wants you to stay at my house for the time being.'

'What?' I gasp, that can't be true. Why is she going to be a little late?

 'Do you want me to repeat that?'

'No, I heard you clearly, I’m fine staying here on my own, and I’ve done it lots of times.'

'Your mum insisted.'

'Well where is my mum to tell me what to do now?' She sighs and says 'Kiera, stop being so immature and let's go.'

'No, I’m staying here.'

'Then I guess I have no choice but to call my mum and tell her, oh by the way she wanted to talk to you.' This makes me reconsider my mind and I leave the house with Lily. We walk in silence as neither of us know what to say to one another which makes the walk seem longer than it actually is.

'Kiera, honey, you're here.' Lily's mother says smiling as we enter her house. Wow, I haven't actually seen Lily's mum in ages.

 'Hi Mrs. Vale-' She gives me a stern look so I say 'Hi Anna,' and her smile returns.

 'You girls can go up to Lily's room but later on, I'd like a chat with you, is that okay?'

'Yes, of course.' She walks back into the kitchen and I look at Lily curiously. She just shrugs her shoulders and says 'I honestly don't know what she wants to talk to you about.'

'Yeah, whatever you say,' I mutter loudly. She doesn't reply and we go to her room. She sits on her bed and I just stand there, feeling like I don't belong.

 'Don't just stand there, sit down!' I sit on the chair near her bed and judging by the look she gives me, she was referring to her bed. Oh well. 'So, how've you been?'

'I've been better,' I state avoiding her gaze.

 'Are you not even going to return the question?'

'No, not really because I don't really care.'

'I'm just trying to start a conversation,' she calmly says and I just reply with 'don't.' It is getting very awkward now. We just avoid each other gaze and thankfully Lily's mum calls me.

 'Kiera, can you come downstairs for a minute?' I get up and go downstairs. I don't know what she wants but I guess there is only one way to find out. 'Yes, Mrs... Anna?'

'Your mother told me to tell you to go to her after you got settled in here.'

'I don't understand, if my mum is at home then why would she want me to settle down here?' 

'She's not a home love, she's at the hospital.'

'What? Why is she in hospital?'

'Kiera, why didn't you tell me?' I turn my head and see Lily walking down the stairs.

 'I rarely see you and I don't even know why she's in hospital either.'

'Her doctor is going to start the treatment already, the tumour had spread, I'm sorry.