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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 and Lily would usually have planned to hang out with Tommy and Carol. But, as this wasn't possible, she was stuck at home helping her mom in the kitchen. Neither the Wheelers or the Byers had returned her calls and Steve wasn't picking up. She had become jittery and everything was making her jump, even the sprinkler turning on outside had startled her.
"Shit!" Lily cursed, dropping the forks in her hand, at the sound of the neighbour's dog barking.
"Watch your language" Her mom frowned, "You've been cursing like a sailor all afternoon".
"Sorry, the neighbour's dog made me jump" Lily grumbled, kneeling down to retrieve the silverware, "And the forks are all slippery, they've been in the sink".
Her mom studied her closely, "Is something bothering you? Usually I don't see you on the weekend. You've hardly left my side all day, wouldn't you rather be with Carol or Cindy?" She asked.
"They're busy" Lily lied, "And I'm fine, Mom".
"How is Cindy, by the way? I haven't seen her for a while. Is she still planning on going to Harvard next year?"
Lily's face fell, "Um, yeah she sent her application off the other day" She nodded, forcing herself to smile.
Then, the phone on the wall started ringing, making her jump. She lunged forwards to grab it, but was beaten to it by her mom, who was closer than she was, "It's okay, I've got it" She laughed, looking at Lily strangely.
Trying not to look too eager, Lily turned her attention back to putting the silverware away, her back to her mom. She was expecting it to be Steve, or maybe the Wheelers, but the moment she heard her mom say, "Oh, hi Alice. Lily's right here", her heart leapt into her mouth. It was Cindy's mom on the other end of the line.
Lily watched in horror as her mom held the phone out to her, "It's Mrs Maddison. She wants to speak to you".
"She does? Now?" Lily stammered, taking the phone and shakily holding the receiver to her ear. "Hi, Mrs Maddison, how are you?" She said, steadying her voice.
"I'm not too bad, thank you" Cindy's mom replied, then she paused and Lily squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the inevitable, "Is Cindy there with you?" Mrs Maddison asked, "I've tried phoning her but she's not picking up, and calls from Miami aren't cheap".
Lily's heart began to race, and she realised just how unprepared she was for this moment. She wanted to tell Mrs Maddison the truth. She desperately wanted to tell her about the party, the Upside Down, and everything in between. But, she knew she couldn't, it was impossible.
