Not Gone

Chapter 31

"Courtney!" my mother screamed up the stairs. I covered my head with a pillow.

"COURTNEY! WAKE UP!"

"5 minutes," I said drearily.

I rolled over and fell off my bed. I rubbed my head and opened my eyes.

I took me a minute to realize that I was not in my bedroom but still in the changing room of the ballroom.

Danielle stood in front of me and Melissa stood in the doorway with the janitor.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" Danielle asked breathlessly.

No.

"Yes," I said as I sat up.

My head was pounding and my stomach felt as though I had been on a roller coaster with endless loops.

"You passed out or something, and you have been in here almost an hour," Danielle said helping me stand up.

Melissa backed out of the doorway glaring at me as Danielle helped me walk to the sink.

I put water on my face then wiped it off with a paper towel.

"You have been in here forever," Melissa said giving me a dirty look.

"Ya, I was up late last night getting this cast," I said motioning with my arm. "So I guess I just fell asleep."

"Ya, I guess," Melissa said in a snooty voice then left the bathroom.

"Don't mind her," Danielle said with a weak smile.

"Try not to" I laughed

"Hey if you want me to drive you home I will. You are probably still tired and I wouldn't mind." Danielle said with a compassionate face.

"That's ok but you don't have to," I said yawning.

"I insist! You wouldn't want to be falling asleep on the dance floor. Even though you probably would anyway because this party is full of old people." Danielle said with a radiant smile.

"Ok, " I said yawning again and we both laughed.

We walked out of the bathroom and back to our table.

"You ok?" Austin questioned.

"Ya, just tired," I said with a yawn. "Danielle is going to drive me home"

"Ok then. I guess I'll see you Monday?"

"Ya," I responded and walked back to where Danielle was waiting for me.

We walked back out of the banquet hall and into the brisk night.

I shivered as valet pulled up with her car. I got into the passenger seat and waited as she tipped the valet.

Danielle got into the car and started to drive.

She drove for a half hour singing to crappy top hit songs. Finally, we pulled into my driveway.

I opened my door and started to get out.

Just before I closed it Danielle gave me a sad face.

"What?" I questioned her.

"Nothing...Just...be careful... please"

"Ok," I said with a queer smile.

"Know the difference between who you love and who you want to love," Danielle said pitifully as if those words were my last hope before going into a battle I was about to lose.

"Bye," I said in an awkward moment but I was freezing in the cold wind.

"Bye"

I walked into my house quickly and locked the door.

Her weird poetic words had put me on edge.

I walked up the stairs and changed into my pajamas.

My head had barely hit the pillow before I had fallen asleep.

And that was my first mistake.

Hey fam! It's been forever since I've updated but school takes up so much time!!! I'll try to update once a month but it will be hard to do. It's a short chapter but needed to be done.

VOTE AND COMMENT! :)