The Unexpected

Chapter 24

I'm going to be Robin (my husband) for Halloween :) I made my dad make me a bow staff and everything. I have to say I'm excited.

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Chapter 24

I wasn't having the greatest of days.

 At least for the day, I had been the most popular kid in school. And not because of the fact it was my birthday or just because everyone suddenly considered me 'cool', but because my best friend was in the hospital.

 The second I stepped into the lunch room, for example, almost immediately it got quieter. As I made my way to the line hushed whispers filled the room. Eyes trailed me to mine and Emma's usual table but I pretended not to notice.

 Someone had sat in front of me and I looked up to meet the sympathetic eyes of one of my peers. I frowned at the girl. She opened her mouth to say something, but I quickly got up, dumped my tray, and left. The last thing I needed was blind sympathy.

 It was almost sickening, actually.

 Basically every kid in school knew Emma, or knew of Emma, but many didn't really have anything to do with her until the accident. “Ricki, I'm so sorry about what happened,” one girl told me in the hallway. “I hope Emma gets better. It's horrible what happened.”

 “Thanks,” I told her, “but I'm not the one trapped in a hospital with only one leg. Who are you anyways? Do you even know Emma?”

 She gave me a weird look. “It's okay to be upset. You know, the school is offering a therapist to anyone who needs it. The accident really impacted the student body.” She walked away, leaving me standing there seething.

 That, paired with what Aaden had told me and the dark clouds blanketing the sky, had caused my insides to twist into a pretzel. In my last hour of the day I finally got fed up with the dreariness of the day. It's your birthday, I reminded myself. Have fun! Throw a party or two, stay up all night, eat so much ice cream you'll pop.

 My stomach growled, alerting me I hadn't eaten all day and that I needed food.

 Mmm, ice cream...

 As soon as my last hour teacher turned away I slipped my phone out of my jean jacket to hold it under my desk. I typed out a message and hurriedly sent it.

 You still owe me that ice cream you promised.

 Right before the teacher turned back around I hid the phone under my leg. A few minutes later my thigh vibrated.

 I'll bring it tonight. was all he replied.

 I frowned at the screen and replied: Okay? Bipolar much?

 At least I'm not annoying.

 Oh no, you got that down too.