Air

10. Friends, Flirting, and Frappuccinos

Chapter 10

(BRITTANY'S POV)

It's been so hard for all of us. Yesterday, Mom decided I need to get my mind off of it, live the life of a normal almost-20-year-old girl. So, I called Celinda and she's coming over to my house.

I run up the stair into Jackies room on the top floor. She would be happy to see that I actually made an effort to get ready. I dressed like my normal self. I did a few little braids in my wavy hair. I'm wearing a some denim shorts, a plain red croptop from Forever 21, a big flannel shirt that I left unbuttoned, white Chucks and a white beanie. My usual casual style with a little grunge.

In Jackie's room, I start cleaning. Her room is usually pretty clean, but now it is beyond messy from the whole scramble to pack before vacation. I clean for about fifteen minutes (I manage to get the clothes that were cluttering the floor into their rightful places) before the doorbell rings.

I jump down half the stair and slide on the hardwood floor while trying to get the door. I let Celinda in and she envolopes me in a giant hug.

Celinda always looks like a model from Seventeen Magazine. She's really preppy, and today she's dressed in a white skirt, some adorable pink heels, and a floral sweater pulled over a denim button-up shirt. Her shoulder-length brown hair is curled, and she wears simple makeup.

"Britt! I missed you so much! You didn't call me once you guys got to the hospital and I was so so worried!" She shouts in a slightly raspy voice. When she talks, she reminds me of Emma Stone. 

"Hey Cel..."

"How's Jackie? I'm so worried about her! I feel so bad for her, I can't even imagine how completely terrible it is for you guys! I really want to visit her! I'll go over there tomorrow, and spend the day with you and her."

"That would be nice," I try my best to grin. My smile fades. "She's not doing so hot. The chemo is really effecting her. She was up almost all night last night. Plus, her ankle is having trouble healing. She still can't walk."

Celinda frowns and tugs me onto the porch. She ducks behind me and slams the door shut. 

"See him," Cel points across the street to Noah, who's sitting outside looking straight at us. "He's been staring at your house since I got here. What's up with him?"

"Jackie's ex."

"Oh, well are they still friends?"

"Yes," I say. "I think they like each other, though. Jackie hasn't told her directly about it, but he knows. This morning before I left, Jackie's best friend Jordan visited. She's staying the whole day. Anyway, she said that Noah would've come if he wasn't too depressed to see her."

Celinda clutches my arm and stands up, dragging me out of my seat and pulling me down the three stairs that I've been running down since I was seven.

"What are you doing?!"

Celinda giggles. "We're gonna talk to him!"

"Cel!" I protest.

"I know you don't want to, but I do. So do it for me, alright? Think how worried he is, with his ex girlfriend/ friend in the hospital with cancer!"

"Fine," I give in and Celinda lets go of me, allowing me to walk free. Celinda trots ahead, high heels clicking on the asphalt. She's pretty short, at least shorter than me, but her heels make her and I around the same height.

As I climb up the stairs to Noah's house, Celinda struts up to him. She stands there, as if she expects him to greet her. She pastes a big shiny grin on her face.