Pay the Price

Chapter Eleven: Hooray!

I swear there weren't two eyes they had wavered from me as I entered the school. All of the football team had stopped their cheer to stare me down, and the freshmans had silenced their childish chattering. Even the teachers had looked up from their books to give me a quick glance.

Karen and Zoya rushed over, both squeezing me tightly. "I'm so sorry!" They sobbed simultaneously.

I pushed them away. "It's fine. I don't want to talk about it, let's just get to class."

Karen and I headed to French, Zoya going her separate way. I noticed Karen and Lane avoided each other, so I assumed they weren't ready to tell everyone yet. I glanced around for one person in particular, actually, the one student who wasn't staring at me.

Tony.

He was frustrated at something and was jabbing his pen roughly into his paper. I sped over. "Tony, what's wrong?"

There was anger when he looked up, and seemed relieved he didn't have to talk when Madame addressed the class.

"Class, today, Jennifer Miller has returned. We wish her and her family well in their journey with Mrs. Miller." She handed me with a large card signed by all of the students in the class. I quietly thanked them, and started writing the date in my notebook.

This was going to be a long day.

-

Later, I met Tony by his locker. I needed to know what was going on. Maybe he was still upset about his mom.

"Tony." I said as I approached him. He slammed his locker and started in the other direction. "Tony, wait. What's going on?" He didn't answer, so I grabbed his shoulder.

Tony spun around, snapping away from my grasp. "Don't act like you actually care, you've gotten good at being fake."

It clicked. "You know, don't you?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I do. I was waiting for you to tell me." He huffed and leaned against the locker.

I stood in front of him. "What do you mean? You were waiting?" I asked, not caring that I would be late for chemistry.

He sighed. "I've known the whole time that you were lying about the Sport Tech thing. I was just waiting for you to tell me the truth yourself. I thought that was what friends do."

I smirked. "Friends? I didn't know you thought of us as friends." For some reason, that made me happy.

Tony didn't find it so amusing. "Yeah, I don't take just anyone paint ballooning. You of all people should know I don't make friends easily, Jen. I thought we could trust each other."

I tried to wipe the smile from my face. "I'm sorry, I just didn't know that was how you felt. And how would you know I was lying the whole time?"

Tony began walking away. "Because, Jen, my dad owns Sport Tech."

-

I couldn't focus for the rest of the day. Of course, I had to chose Sport Tech to say my dad owned. I had no clue Tony's dad was the real owner! I wonder why he doesn't tell anyone?

I also couldn't stop thinking of how Tony said he thought of us as friends. I hope I didn't blow it. I know I never really thought about Tony, but he's actually not that bad, and he has a great story behind him.

The day was over and I took time to roam the halls. The thoughts of my mother flooded back. It was hard to think that I was here, while she was in the hospital.

"Really? Well, that was very nice."

I heard a familiar voice from somewhere around the corner. Two other voices were in the mix. With my head poked around the lockers, I saw Karen and Zoya, their backs to me, talking with Tony.

Tony was leaning against a locker. "My dad and brother and I donated some money to their room and medication..." He continued talking.

I could feel the anger rising inside my stomach. He tells me to be a trustworthy friend, then he goes and tells my friend that I'm too poor to save my mother's life! What kind if friend is that?

He came around the corner after my two friends had left. "You'd do anything to get a girl!" I screamed, storming away.

I was surprised when he was the one chasing me this time. "What? Wait, Jenn where are you going?"

"The hospital!" A tear slid down my face and I ran out if the school. Look at me, I'm pitiful. My family is poor, I don't know who my real friends are, and I haven't gone a day without crying in a long time.

Right now, all I wanted, was for my Mom to be saved.

-

When I arrived at the hospital, everyone was hugging my brother. "Gavin, are you leaving?" I ran up and hugged him.

He lifted me and swung me in a circle. "I said when there was one good sign of Mom's health, that I would go back to Westmoor. So, here I go." He put a baseball cap on and kissed me once on the cheek. "See you soon."

I turned to Dad. "There was a good sign?" When Dad nodded, I hurried into the room. Mom was sleeping. "Thank God." I murmured.

I didn't realize Anne in the room. "Hello, Jen."

"Hi, so what's the good news?" I said, hopeful. There was no way I could keep the smile off my face, even with lingering thoughts of Tomy.

Anne smiled. "Oh yes, your mother seems to be responding to the medication." She left after giving me another kind smile.

I kissed Leslie's forehead and slowly exited. At last, something good. Hooray!

-

The house was quiet when Mack, Dad, and I returned. The T.V. wasn't on, the stereo wasn't playing, and it seemed even the world outside was laying in wait. I didn't want to break the calmness by speaking, so I left for downstairs.

Eventually, the stillness was making me fidgety, so I put on some music. I could barely breath when my Mom's favourite song began to play- Remember When, by Alan Jackson.

Remember when...

I was young, and so were you,

Time stood still,

And love was all we knew...

I wondered if it was the last time I would be able to listen to the song, without Mom in the hospital, whether that was good or bad...

-

The sound of the doorbell upstairs interrupted my song. I hurried up to get it, but Dad was already at the door. Stan was in front of him, and by the looks of it, he was alone.

"Stanley, what are you doing here?" Dad said, hugging him. We were still extremely grateful for everything he has done for our family.

Stan smiled. "Nothing, I just had an offer. I remember you telling me about moving to Westmoor. Your house was up for sale, not anymore, but I understand why you would stay now. I was wondering, if you sold your house, you would have some money to pay for the hospital bill."

Clyde chuckled. "You didn't think I thought of that. But, we would have no where to stay."

Stan waved it off. "Nonsense." He smiled. "You and the kids can come live with us."

My jaw dropped. Hooray...?

....

What now?! Stan just said the Millers could live with him and Tony! Thanks for reading guys, and make sure to comment, vote, and follow!