Justice

Chapter 7

     "How did you do at the hospital? Gabby told us about it," Emily asked me as we walked towards the cafeteria. I could smell the spaghetti as we turned the corner.
"Ok," I said trying to focus on the conversation. I must not have slept well because all I wanted to do was take a nap. "Hey, guys," Gabby said, running up to me and the girls. "April, are you going to track today?"
"Yes," I said. Track was fun and I needed a break from the hospital. "Good," Gabby said. "I'm starving."
"Ew, you eat school food?" Emily asked, holding up her lunch bag. "It's good," Gabby said.
"I like the spaghetti," I said, distracted by a headache. "April, Emily, Gabby, wait up," Heather called. I turned and saw Heather pushing through the crowd to see them. My chest squeezed up tight and it was hard to breathe. "I have to go to the restroom," I managed to say. "I'll see you guys in a minute."
     I took off. Once I made it to the bathroom, I wet a paper towel and pressed it against my cheeks. Then the door opened, and Josie walked in. "Are you okay?" she asked. I looked in the mirror and saw my cheeks were pasty and my eyes were bloodshot. "Fine," I said. I pressed the towel against my cheeks again. After Josie left I pinched my cheeks a few times, then headed into the hall as the bell rang. I hurried to the cafeteria.
     But my chest and stomach still felt like something had coiled around them. How odd. This was weird and has never happened to me before. I just hoped that I was going to be ok.