Who is in Class?

5

I hopped up the cement steps, folders tucked under my elbow. I took in the sight of Kiersten's mansion and then lifted a fist to knock. I rapped my knuckles on the door a few times before I caught sight of the doorbell. I pressed it, feeling a little uneasy when it didn't sound. It must've simply been broken...

A little impatient and out of sorts, I put more force behind the knock and I immediately stilled when the heavy door opened some ways. Front door being unlocked would've been enough of a red flag; I quickly took off my hoodie and wrapped it around my hand, thinking rapidly, and slid my covered hand around the handle. I shut the door and retreated too hastily.

I slipped on the steps and fell back, landing on my ankle awkwardly. A snap sounded and I quickly squeezed my hoodie-wrapped fist in my mouth to muffle the startling—and pained—scream that threatened to give my position away. Like I said, an unlocked front door was enough of a red flag but an opened, vulnerable, unlocked front door? Absolutely not.

Besides, I never claimed to be a good person.

"THAT IS one-hundred-percent what happened," I pushed my lips forward going for earnest.

The nurse looked up from casting my foot, a smile stretching across her face as Cara echoed my story robotically.

"...You were walking and slipped on some stairs? Since when do you walk? Where were you walking that had stairs?" Cara faced me, suddenly concerned.

"You're right," I nodded. "We gotta take those stairs out. Fucking menace to society."

"No," Cara slapped my shoulder. She giggled slightly, "Oh shush. Where were you walking though?" She wiggled her brows, "Meeting anyone?"

"Yes," I said solemnly. "You know how often I hang out with my best friend."

"Wait, what! Who?" Draw them in.

I smiled and made sure Cara was facing me before I rolled my eyes.

"C'mon," she clapped my shoulder again.

"Um, please stay still," the nurse advised from her crouched position.

I laughed gruffly, "Yeah, Cara..."

"Does it hurt?" Cara was rushing her eyes over my form.

"No," I shrugged. "How's Aunt Rose? Did you visit her yet?"

"No, I'll go tomorrow," Cara murmured. "I'm staying with you tonight."

"Dinner!" I fist-pumped the air.

"Wait, wait, wait—ugh, how do you dodge questions so easily?" Cara shook her head and exhaled, "What were you doing out? You know you shouldn't do that without your phone. And the location of your phone seems spotty at best."

"I was going to drop something off to a friend but I forgot. Oh, actually I do need to do that still." And check the news.

"I can do it," Cara offered.

"Nope, I'll take care of it tomorrow." I winked, "During daylight hours of course."

Cara smiled, "Right. Proud of you, Noah."

"Thanks," I batted my eyelashes.

"Um, the doctor will come back and explain procedure." The nurse laughed then, "Slow day today."

I JOINED Cara that night as she switched channels to the local news station. I looked intently for any sign that Kiersten was dead or robbed or anything involving his neighborhood. I scrolled for a few hours, finding nothing. Not a peep. The news was the same.