The Lies We Told On Thursday Nights

25. Thursday Afternoon: Let Me Know (Levi)

Hey, everyone!!! So sorry I am two weeks late (and with a kinda sucky chapter.) I wrote out an outline for the rest of the story and found a considerable character development plot hole and so wanted to add something in here.

It felt kinda forced, and I couldn't find a good way to end the scene and ease it into the next chapter. Re-read it and realized maybe it wasn't the best time to put it in since it gave a weird message.

So, going to add a similar moment a different time.

The part was that Levi was going to read the notebook. I just don't want to bring in a possible pity factor.

Sorry for ranting, but I've spent a while trying to decide whether to put that part in. Let me know if you'd like it in.

Levi

Thursday: 2:01 pm

I had study period last period but would have to return to school for a teacher meeting. But I couldn't be on this campus anymore, I thought of my run-in with Emery and some other strange mishaps that have occurred today.

I decided to have lunch with Ridley, so, I faked an appointment and drove to the diner. We sat for a while in silence, him on his phone and me staring off into space.

A few times he asked me how I was, and if I was dating anyone. I told him bashfully about Vara, the girl who kissed me.

He grinned foolishly and returned to his phone.

"Oh, dude," he exclaimed, focusing on his phone. "My sister she texted me and someone from your school, I guess is in the hospital."

At of 4,000 kids, t could be anyone. "She's a nurse right?"

He nodded, shifting position. He held out the phone, "Nates? Does the last name Nates sound familiar?"

I had been chewing on a french fry which suddenly took a pit dive down my throat. I couldn't breathe, I was panicking. Emery? My mind, of course, somersaulted to the most obvious reason she'd be there, her eating disorder.

Then that reminded me of Katie and the heartbreak I felt watching her die.

And then I cursed at myself for thinking Emery was as exceptional as Katie because she wasn't.

But that didn't stop the rise of uneasiness, our last conversation was cruel, maybe she purged and passed or...I didn't know.

"Earth to Levi?" Ridley waved his hand in front of my face. "Do you know the name?"

All I could do was nod, picturing Emery in a hospital bed.

"Well, hope she's okay," he muttered, the matter now becoming insignificant. He crossed his arms and returned to his carefree Instagram scrolling.

While I didn't have her number, I had her school email. I wanted to message her.

But god, I had to resist. I couldn't get close to her, I couldn't show her I cared about her.

I had to keep up the act I had earlier today: her and I are not friends, I don't care about her at all.

Keep up the act, keep up the act, keep up the act

And I probably wouldn't have even been tempted if I didn't know she could very well be unconscious from her eating disorder.

Some sick rationale came in: she starved herself to death and didn't think of me, so I mean in 7 days I'll return the favor.

So, I emailed her:

Hey Emery,

It's Levi. Friend told me u were in the hospital. U ok?