Before You Know It

Chapter 26

I looked over at Sophie and laughed at her.

"Come on, Anne." She pointed a French fry at me, "You know I'm right."

I quickly leaned over and took a bite out of her french fry and laughed at her.

"Nah. I don't think you are."

She scowled at me as she stared at her half eaten fry.

Sean and Jake laid their trays down and looked at us like we were crazy.

"What are you two even arguing about?" Sean asked as he placed his arm behind Sophie in the Booth.

"About how strawberry is better than chocolate." Sophie turned to me with a glare.

"Incorrect. Chocolate is better. You can have it in any way you want it possible. Sweet, crunchy, smooth, and delicate."

"Strawberries are-" Sophie began.

"But you know what's better?" Jake chimed in, "When they're both together." Now it was his turn to point a fry, "Now that's the superior combination."

Soph and I turned and looked at each other with an eyebrow raised. Suddenly I saw her face break and we were both laughing so loudly.

I looked over at Jake, "That was so cheesy."

He just shrugged his shoulders and continued eating his lunch.

That's when I heard my name coming from the intercom, "Ms. Hassen please report to the office at once." was what it demanded.

I looked over at the three of my friends and slowly slid out of the booth. Jake grabbed my wrist gently.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Um it's up to you guys. It's probably not much though."

Jake nodded his head and stood up next to me. He took my hand and quietly walked me to the office.

When I walked into the office the woman behind the desk pointed to the phone and continued typing on the computer. But not after I saw her give me a look full of pity I could drown in it. I reached out for the phone and put it to my ear.

"Hello?"  I said wearily.

"Hey.. How are you?" I recognized that voice, it was my sister Jan.

"I'm good, what's the call about?"

I began to freak out, what was wrong that she had to call me through the school and not my actual cell phone. Jake's hand in mine held me steadily.

"It's mom, hun." There was a long pause after. "When I swung by the house to see if she was busy I couldn't find her at first, but when I walked further in the house I noticed she was laying on the floor. I quickly called 911 and they came. She's now in the hospital and she's- she's in a bad coma. They don't know when she will wake up...John is on his way to come get you right now, and after that he is going to get the boys, I'm gonna see you soon."

At that, the phone was no longer in my hand. I dropped it on the floor and I could see the assistant jump and look at me. My eyes searched and found Jake's staring widely at me.

"Anne?" He asked in a quiet whisper.

"Hun? Anne? Anne? You there?" Jan was speaking into the phone that continued laying on the floor.