Plan B

39

For the first time, I had no trouble waking up. I barely slept the previous night. I got ready for school quickly because I didn't want to upset anyone by getting late.

I looked at the mirror and I wore my 'everything-is-fine' face and I went downstairs. I found my mom preparing breakfast.

"Good morning Kristina."

"Good morning mom. H... How did you sleep?"

"I slept well. How about you?" She asked, serving me some pancakes.

"I slept well, I guess."

"You're pretty early today. I'm impressed."

"I... Uh... Need to research on something before class. Is dad still asleep?"

Yes, he is. He had a long day yesterday."

"What happened?"

"He had a lot to do at work." My mom was definitely hiding something and I knew what it was. I'm not giving up just yet.

"Did he say anything about my brother Keshun?" I asked.

"The doctor said once I donate blood to him, he will be fine in a few days."

"Why not dad?" Now there is no way she can escape this one.

"Let me give you the folder dad came with yesterday. You'll understand better."

She gave me a brown folder and I quickly opened it. It had a few documents inside. I searched for the DNA document but it wasn't there!

My mom noticed my frustration and she asked me to look for the one with blood groups.

"Oh right! Here it is," I said trying to hide my disappointment.

It was a huge document and I couldn't read everything.

"I have to get going or I'll be late," I said putting it back into the folder, "Bye!"

That morning, my mom was calm, too calm. Maybe she and dad patched things up in the middle of the night. I'm just wondering where the DNA results are. I heard that part clearly yesterday during their argument.

I heard too much in the previous night and I had to pull myself together. Maybe things will work out and we can laugh about it in the future.

I spent half of the day yawning because I didn't have enough sleep the previous night and the other half of the day just thinking. Later that day, Kelsie, Dale and I went to the Slashi Hub.

"I called both of you here today to celebrate! Shakes on me," Dale said enthusiastically.

"This is how you celebrate?" Kelsie asked Dale looking around.

"I like this place very much. We've made a lot of memories here."

"I'm just saying this isn't exactly what I would have in mind to celebrate... What are we celebrating?"

"I set a new world record when I scored a goal under two minutes!"

"Sports gibberish," Kelsie said blankly, "But congratulations on that!" She smiled.

"Kristie! Say something!" Kelsie told me.

"Congrats Dale," I told him.

"Are you alright?" He asked me.

"I'm fine," I said yawning.

"Looks like someone was up all night," Kelsie said.

"I was reading," I lied. They both looked at me, clearly not believing me.

"Okay!" Dale said before turning to Kelsie, "How are things with Chris?" Kelsie was startled by his question.

"We talk, sometimes. We also go out."

"Are you dating?" Dale asked her. She shook her head which made Dale laugh.

"What is so funny?"

"The fact that you don't know what I know. That aside," Dale said quickly before Kelsie could ask any questions.

"Kristie, something is definitely wrong with you today. You know you can tell me anything," Dale said, holding my hands. He then looked me in the eye, "Talk to me."

I hesitated at first, then I blurted out everything in one sentence.

"My mom cheated on my dad and Keshun is my half brother." I started crying.

They were speechless. There was nothing that any of them could say. I didn't expect them to.