lungs

part 17

joey went home early and so did zach. i tried texting him but he didn't reply. it's last period and i'm waiting for the bell to ring so i can go and see what happened to joey.

come on

ring

ring

ring

ring

the bell rang and i ran out of the class room. i saw jacob and the end of the hallway, "jacob!" i yelled.

he just looked at me and rolled his eyes as he walked out to the bus. as i walked on the bus, jacob sat in the very back as i sat in my usual seat without joey, whats jacobs problem?

i decided to take out my phone and text joey.

"hey are you okay??"

"what happened?"

"birlem."

"joey."

"joseph."

"i'm coming over to your house when i get off the bus."

i saw that he read my last text. it didn't take him long to respond, "don't, i'll come to your window tonight."

i sighed in relief, he's fine. "okay." i turned off my phone and looked out the window.

soon i get to my stop and the bus stops. i get out of my seat and go to the isle. jacob walks up behind me but doesn't say anything.

i get off the bus and start to walk home. jacob was behind me, this is my chance. i need to know why he's ignoring me.

"jacob." i said turning around.

he sighs and rolls his eyes, "what?" he asked.

"what's wrong?" i asked.

"nothing anna, just leave me alone." he said as he walked past me.

i stood there in shock. what did i even do to him?

i walked home and went inside. my mom was on the couch watching tv while. "hi." she said as i entered the house.

i ignore her, "where's dad?" i asked.

"he had to do some things, since he's moving back." he said.

"okay." i said taking off my shoes.

"have you made your de-" i cut her off, knowing what she's about to say.

"no mom, i haven't okay?" i said going upstairs to my room.

i plop down on my bed. my life is a mess, ugh. i grab my phone and decided to try and facetime mckenna.

ring, ring, call ended. i'm not surprised that she didn't pick up, she's probably with dylan right now.

it's funny how joeys step dads name is dylan and mckennas boyfriend is name dylan.

he nodded, "sometimes i think about dying."

what did he mean by that? it must me hard growing up without a dad. i wish joey was here with me right now, laughing about something totally stupid.

when i was in the hospital, my mom always brought me magazines for teens since i didn't like the adult ones they always gave. it always told you advice, like if your "best friend was a ride or die" and "how to tell if a boy likes you.

it said that if a boy is open with you with his feeelings then he likes you. joey told me how he feels, you know, about dying. does that mean he likes me?

no

yes

no

well

maybe

+

i hear a knock on my window. at that second i knew it was joey. i get out of bed and run to my window.

he has a box of chocolate and a rose, just like the time when he came and apologized.

i opened the window and laughed, "you know me so well, birlem." i said.

he smirks, "yeah yeah, cross." he said, "help me in."

i grabbed his hand and he climbed into my room. he brushed himself off and sat on the edge of my bed, placing the rose next to the other one he gave me on my night stand.

"you like chocolate?" he asked, while smiling.

i took the chocolate from his hand and sat next to him on the bed. "yes i do, how'd you know?"

he shrugs, "lucky guess." he said, going along with the joke.

i playfully rolled my eyes and opened the box of chocolate and took one out. "so what happened?" i asked.

he sighs, "i got suspended for 3 days." he said.

i lay down on bed and look up at the ceiling. i put my hands under my head. "then who am i gonna sit with for the next three days, birlem?"

he looks back at me," i don't k-" his eyes see my elbow. "what happened?" he asked.

i look at my elbow and rub it, "you push me down when you were beating zach but i'm fine."

"i hurt you?" he asked worriedly.

"i mean, you didn't mean to." i said.

he runs is hands through his hair, "god damit, i hurt you."

"it's okay, joey. im fine." i said.

he stands up and looks down at me, "no it's not anna, i freaking hurt you!" he said.

i stand up and look up at him. "honestly i'm fine." said.

he wraps his arms around my back, bringing me close to him again. god i love this feeling.

"i won't let anyone or anything hurt you, cross." he said, "from now on."