Before You Know It

Chapter 13

The day passed in a stare-down blur as I got looks from everyone. At least I'm lucky that I only see Jake before homeroom and in chemistry.

When I'm with him the stares aren't as bad, but it seems like I'm hiding behind him when I walk with him. When it's just me down the hallway I held my head high because while I cared what they thought, I didn't.

After Jake dropped me off at home, I quickly went inside to change into shorts as the sun was brutally beating me in my black pants.

Now with a tank top and shorts on, I hobbled to Sophie's, taking longer than normal because of the cast.

When I showed up to the house I had my hand raised to knock on the door when I heard yelling inside.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" The recognizable female voice yelled.

"What? I didn't do anything this time. Stop being overdramatic." The male voice yelled back.

I slowly knocked on the door even though I wish I didn't. The dog quickly barked and the yelling stopped. Victoria, Sophie's mom, opened the door. Her face was in a state of anger but when she registered that it was me, it quickly softened.

"Oh, Anne. How come you're here?" She asked in a sweet tone that it felt like honey dripped.

"I'm here to give Sophie her homework." I asked as I shifted from foot to foot awkwardly.

"Oh okay. She's in the backyard."

I looked over her shoulder and I should see Chase, Sophie's dad, standing there. He had a deep annoyed look on his aging face.

"Alright. Thank you."

I quickly turned around and walked to the side of the house through the tall wooden gate that leads to the backyard.

The huge willow trees that made a wall behind the fence cast a deep shadow on the whole backyard.

The porch had a giant grill with a little bar walled in by a short brick wall was the only part in the backyard with direct sunlight. The blue lawn chairs glowed in the sunlight and made me think of all the years I've spent back here.

Towards the back of the yard with the thickest shadows was a small metal swing set with just two swings on it. It was rusted and creaky, but I could see Sophie's body slowly move on one of the swings.

She was staring down at the dirt and her hair created a barrier around her face. She wore one of my sweatshirts which was too big on her and it made her look even smaller.

I slowly walked towards her and I dropped my book bag by the pole of the swing set. I sat on the swing next to her and started swinging slowly.

She glanced over at me slowly and smiled. I looked at her and smiled as I continued to swing.

"Have they been like this all day?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"All day." She whispered.

I continued to swing and listen to the rustling of the leaves. A breeze blew through and it caused my baby hairs to all fly into my face. Sophie let the wind blow in her face.

"Are you really sick?" I asked after minutes of silence.

She leaned over and placed her elbows on her knees and rubbed her temples, "If you mean sick of people? Then yes," she paused and looked at me, "But physically sick, no." She finished with a small side grin.

"I don't imagine that you'd want your homework do you?" I asked with a smile on my face.

She looked at me and laughed, "No, not really. But I'll take it."