Operation: Break Up

Part 12- The Next Mission (Part I)

My mom and I had basically moved into the hospital. By the time Wednesday rolled around, I had about 5 different bags laid out in my corner. I had my own personal bookshelf; stacking book by book by book. I even stayed a few hours in the bookstore on the 6th floor. I think I’ve read more stories and became a bigger fangirl in the past 3 days than I’ve ever been in my 17 years of life.

My friends made steady visits. One day Addi and Elena would come see me, then the next day Zack or Caden would walk through the hall. I even got a chance to hang a little with Jeffrey and Kassie. But most of the time it consisted of discussing books with Jeffrey and hearing blunt comments from Kassie. I liked Kassie. She was sort of a bitch at times, but I thought she was cool.

I had dialed Alex’s number almost every night, and we would stay on the phone for an hour or 2. Of course, I didn’t have to worry about a bedtime because I wasn’t going back to school for maybe another week. I missed history class with Mr. Davis, but discussing communism and dictatorship just didn’t make up for the walk of shame down Silverton High School hallway. I just didn’t see how it was worth it.

It was now 12:22 on a Friday, and I was in the bookstore, searching for a new book to lose myself in. I saw the Vampire Academy series. However, I couldn’t decide on those books or the Matched series.

Suddenly my phone began to ring. I looked at the caller i.d. to see that first picture of me and Zack. Sliding my thumb across the screen, I answered the phone.

“Hello.” I say.

“Hey. Can you do me a favor?”

“Depends. What do you want?” Curious as to what his favor was, I waited for his request.

“Pick out which book to read, and come out into the hallway.” I could hear Zack’s smile through the line. I turned around and looked through the glass windows to see him standing there with the phone pressed against his ear.

“Hold on,” I said, putting my books back on the shelf. Ehh, they can wait.

When I finally arrived in the hallway, Zack greeted me with a big bear hug and ‘knuckle sandwich’, which thanks to my dad, I was used to. I smiled and smoothed my hair.

“What do you want now? Isn’t the lunch bell gonna ring soon?”

“Screw school. 6th period can wait.”

“And football? What about practice?”

“I’ll make it back in time. I needed to see you in person...to ask something of you.”

“More favors, Zack? Really?” I cross my arms over my chest, shooting my eyebrows up.

“You ask too many questions. Have you had lunch yet?” He asks anxiously.

“No...why?”

“Because I haven’t either. Let’s talk in the cafeteria,” Zack puts his hand on my back, ushering me to the elevators to our left.

When we got to the cafeteria, the place was packed with nurses and doctors on break. I made eye contact with Dr. Hawkins and waved at him as I ordered my chicken salad. Zack paid for our food and we found a secluded table for 2 in the corner of the cafe. Snacking carelessly on my lettuce, I eyed Zack before bringing up the mysterious topic.

“So, why did you come here exactly?” I plop a mini tomato in my mouth, the juice bursting through my teeth.

“I, uhhh, talked to Riley today.”

“Oh you did? How’d that go?”

“Well, that’s what I wanted to tell you. It went okay, I guess. She told everything about what happened at the party. She apologized. I told her not to apologize to me, but to you for being rude.”