Her Last Wish

Chapter 22

"Alice, you need to get out of the house once in a while. I hear you've not been attending your classes for weeks now. Have you lost interest, honey?" My mom finally asked as we ate breakfast. 

It had been three days since I talked to Drew on the phone. I had to admit, hearing him had lifted a great worry from my chest. I still wanted to see him but his voice had to suffice for now. 

I shrugged, not looking at my mother but at my bowl of cereal. The cheerios had already softened and I didn't have the appetite for them anymore. "I don't know, mom. I've just bee feeling sick lately," I lied.

"Oh no. Are you alright? Why haven't you said anything? Do you need to be checked?" My mom responded, worry clouding her voice.

I was filled with regret immediately and shook my head. "I'm alright now. No need, mom. I think I'm ready to go back to school today," I assured her, guilt prompting me to do so. I really did not want to go to school, but I knew I had worried my friends and also needed to put to rest the rumors sparked by my disappearance as well as Drew's. 

"That's good to hear. But if you feel even the slightest bit of discomfort, you let me know okay?" She looked at me with worry but seemed to feel reassured by my going to school.

"Yeah, okay mom. I'm gonna go get ready. See you," I said, before hugging Amy goodbye. 

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I held my head high as I walked the halls of school. I had deliberately worn a tight tank top and skinny jeans to prove to onlookers that I had no bumps whatsoever. Students stared at me everywhere I went; homeroom, the cafeteria, gym, there was no escape. 

I went classroom to classroom praying I would not run into my friends as I knew they would ask me unending questions. Really, the stares were enough. I had been on my way to my last class when I ran into James.

"You're back," he grinned, the only one who'd seemed pleased to see me.

I smiled, nodding. "Yeah, so it seems." 

He walked with me to my next class, and I was thankful for the company. "So, how've you been?" he asked, avoiding the eyes of students who either stared at me or smirked at him. Poor James. 

"Good, good. I'm feeling better," I told him truthfully. I saw two girls whisper to each other, giving both of us looks of disapproval. I wondered why it was people judged too quickly of others. 

"Awesome. So have you gotten in touch with Drew?" 

I swallowed hard and was unsure what to reply. "Uhm ... yeah. We talked the other day. He's been having a wonderful time away with his father," I replied, half-lying. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ears, beginning to feel self-conscious.

"Cool. Did he say when he'd be back? He's been missing out a lot, you know," he said, beginning to squirm under the attention. 

I bit my lip, feeling my stomach churn as well. "No but I'm sure he'll catch up once he's back.  I'll see you later," I said, waving before entering the classroom. 

"Hey, Alice right?" The guy beside me whispered in the middle of class. He had a cocky grin on his face and I knew at once I didn't like him.

I nodded, quickly shifting my gaze back to the video of animals that had been showing since the beginning of class. 

"So, knocked up huh?" he chuckled. 

I could feel him eye me from head to toe. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, before facing him. I lifted my shirt slightly, and glared. "Do I look knocked up to you?" I retorted, before shifting my attention back to the screen.