Wallflower

Nine

          I sat on the leather seat next to Micah. "Hi, Amber." A woman with dark hair and bright, blue eyes looked back at me. "Micah, why don't you introduce your friend to me."
          "Well, Amber, this is my mom. Mom, this is my friend Amber." I looked at Micah and smiled. 
          Then my head turned back to the front. "Nice to meet you. Oh, and by the way, I was wondering if Sonya called you. I really thought I was going to get on the bus."
          A wide-eyed expression was in the mirror. " You call your mom by her first name?"

          I shook my head up at the ceiling of the car. "Sorry, I didn't explain first. I feel so stupid." I hit myself lightly on the forehead and continued to talk. "Yes. Long story short, she isn't actually my- well- my mother."
          "Oh! I should be the sorry one!" Micah's mother sent me a forgiving glance from the front seat.
          "No, no. It's completely fine with me. I would ask that you don't tell anyone, though. I haven't told anyone in the town yet." I held my breath for her answer.
          "Yes, I see. Your secret is safe with me. And you are correct, Sonya did call me. She was worried that the bus would be delayed with this insane storm." I looked through the window to my right. The rain pattered down hard and thunder rolled in the distance. Lightning struck and a loud crack was heard. "I'm worried though," she continued. "That we won't make it to your house because the road I would take is flooded. Would you be okay if I just took you home with us?"
          "That sounds perfectly fine. I just need to let Sonya know."
          Micah handed me his blue-cased phone and I dialed the number within seconds. Ring, ring. Ring, ring, ring. "Hi, this is Sonya. Who is speaking?"
          "Hey, it's N-Amber. Could I stay with Micah and his family? The road home is flooded."
          "That's fine Nia-"
          "Sonya!" Micah and his mom gave me the strangest look as I screeched into the phone. I smiled awkwardly back.

          "Right, right. Sorry. I just want to say that your father is ready for you to come back home. We leave in two days. You might want to make some final good-byes tonight because you won't be going to school tomorrow," Sonya's voice whispered.
          I was speechless. My voice dropped to an almost-inaudible squeak. "Okay. Thanks Sonya. See you tonight."
          I hung up and handed Micah his phone. He slowly grabbed it from my outstretched hand as I sat there in awe. It couldn't be. No, I couldn't leave tomorrow. Then I began to think a little harder. What am I going to tell Micah?