Why Me?

Chapter 19 ~ Sick

Rileys POV:
Im in school in class doing work. The teacher calls a roll.
'Michelle!'
'Here!'
'Riley!'
'Here!'
'And finally James!'
I look around and see hes not here. I havent seen him all day.
'Has anyone seen James today?'
'No. But I can call him' I tell her.
She nods.
I leave the classroom to make the call.
He answers.
'James. Its me. Where are you?'
'Oh hey Riley. I...um...Im not comming in today'
'Why? Is everything okay?'
'Yeah. Pipers just not feeling well. Im taking care of her. Thats all'
'Oh. Can I come over later?'
'No. I think its best you stay at home. In case you pick up anything'
'Okay. Bye then'
'Bye'
I dont care what he says. Piper is my friend. After school Im going over to his to see if shes okay.
I go back into class.
'Well?'
'Hes not comming in today. His sister is sick so he has to take care of her'
'Allright then. Thanks Riley'
I sit down.
'So I was thinking that maby we could go into town after school' Michelle says.
'No. Im going over to see James and check on Piper'
She nods.
'Okay'
When school is over I make my way to James house. I knock on the door and he answers it. He looks terrible.
'Riley. I told you not to come over'
'I wanted to see if Piper was okay'
'Hey Riley!'
I turn around and see Piper walking towards me up the drive way.
'Piper? I thought you werent feeling well?'
'What? Im fine. Im going to do homework' she says walking in.
'Hey James' she smiles.
I look at him. He has his head down.
'You lied to me'
'Im sorry'
'Why did you lie to me!'
'Riley-'
'When you told me Piper was sick and you werent comming in, thats what I told the teacher! Which means I lied to her!'
'You dont understand. I didnt want you to worry'
'About what! And why do you look so bad?'
He lifts his head and looks at me. He grabs the door frame.
'James? Are you okay?'
He nods.
'Yeah'
'You look really sick'
Suddenly he falls forawrds. I catch him.
'Piper!' I call.
She comes running out and gasps when she sees James.
'Help me take him inside'
We carry him into the sittingroom and put him lying on the coutch.
'James?'
He doesnt say anything. His eyes are closed.
'Piper call your mom'
She nods and calls her.
I hold his hand.
'James please say something'
Nothing.
Soon later his mom rushes in.
'Oh dear! My poor boy! What happened!'
'He didnt come into school today so I came here to check on him. Then he collasped'
'Oh no. Riley would you mind calling a doctor'
I nod and take out my phone to call a doctor.
He doctor arrives and examines him.
He turns to me and Deboradh.
'It looks like hes very sick. Im not sure whats caused it but it looks like hes had a blackout from having too much things on his mind. Maby worring about something. Im not sure'
I stand and look at him. Hes been worried about me.
I run out of the room and go outside. Piper comes out.
'Its my fault hes like that. Its because I worried him with my stupid past'
'Its not your fault Riley'
'It is. Hes been sick all day. And maby hes been sick before this but didnt tell me because he didnt want to worry me'
'He wouldnt have told us either. Dont blame yourself'
I see Kevin rushing towards the house.
'I heard what happened. Where is he?'
'In there'
He runs in.
A tear rolls down my face.
'Dont cry. Hes going to be fine'
'All he ever did was care for me. And half the time all I did was give out to him and fight with him. What kind of girlfriend does that make me?'
'It make you one that realises her mistakes and wants to fix them. He told me about the date you set up for him. Do you know what he said?'
'What?'
'He said that he just fell in love with you right there. And he wouldnt change it for the world'
'He loves me?'
'Yeah. More than anything'
I put my head down.
'Im a terrible person'
'No your not! Riley youve changed my brothers life! Before he met you he didnt know what do do with himself. Now he has someone to keep him going'
I smile weakly.
'Hes going to be fine. Youll see'
She walks off.
I hope he gets better. Because he means everything to me.