Repay in Kind

1. life

It's something so simple, so small, the tiniest thing can change someone's life,

or it can change millions of people's lives...

                                                                                                ~ Ella Schlachter

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  I slammed my fist down terminating the annoying beeping that had been screaming at me for a full 5 minutes since I had woke up. 

But I had been so warm and comfy that I had just let it beep... 

That is until my cat jumped up on the bed and started playing with my nose as if it were a mouse.

"Stop that!" I said and the sleek black cat practically glided off the bed and out the door.

For the first time in forever, I felt well-rested but when I looked at the clock I almost fainted...

It was 10:57, I was two hours late! I flew out of bed and slipped into a pair of leggings and a tank-top. I quickly brushed my hair and grabbed my bag. I hopped in my car and drove off towards the coffee shop that I always go to before heading to the International Air and Hospitality Academy.

I'm going to school to be a flight attendant in Vancouver, WA, and being late definitely wasn't gaining me any points. I pulled in to the coffee shop and parked, grabbing my wallet and hopping out of the car I walked into the bright yellow coffee shop.

It had small tables with plants all over, the main colors were lilac purple, white, and green, lots and lots of green.

"Hi Alabama," I said as I walked to the counter.

"I'm guessing... medium double mocha frappe with whipped cream and chocolate chips?" Alabama said as she grabbed a cup.

"Uhh, you got it again!" I said sarcastically, playing along.

"So hows school doing, ya know with," she leaned in and whispered "him?" 

"We'll talk later," I said, looking around the room. "Come on, I'm already late and I'm thirsty too!" I said more enthusiastically,

"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going," Alabama said smiling and flipping her long puffy black hair as she turned around. Her hair went past her butt down almost to her knees and it was all-natural. I was always a bit jealous of it but when I think about it, I'm happy I have my elbow-length hair, just imagine how much time and effort it would be to take care of that long, beautiful, natural hair... 

"Hey, how is your little bro doing? I heard that he had to go back to the hospital last night, it was all crazy on Facebook."

"Oh, ya... he, uh, he just got a small fever... " she said her tone quiet and calm yet shaky as if she was scared. I didn't believe she was telling me the whole truth. Even though a small fever could kill him in his condition I thought that it may have been worse than just that, she was too scared...

"Thank you," I said as she handed me my drink and I gave her the 5 dollars. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to help her." I hope he gets better!" I said as I walked out the door and back to my car. I got in and grabbed my phone, got onto Facebook, and searched up her little brother, immediately a video of an ambulance came up. I scrolled down and found a photo of him and below it said, 

"Our little John was rushed to the hospital when he got a burning fever and puked, by the time the ambulance got to us he was bleeding from his nose. I was not allowed to come, only the dad but I do know the doctors said he may not live past his birthday, which is in three days... we need a miracle."I closed my eyes and tipped my head back. Why didn't she tell me... I thought about it for a few more minutes then realizing why, I got out of the car and ran into the coffee shop straight into Alabama and we stood there hugging and crying together for at least 10 minutes.

"Hey," I said in a weak voice, letting go and wiping away my tears, "why don't we skip today and have a girls day?"

"Well..." she said also wiping her tears away.

...........................................

"What do you want?" I said to Alabama in a corner booth of a Red Robins restaurant.

"Umm, I don't know, why don't you order?" she replied

"Okay... how about the bacon one?"I said pointing at the photo, even though I knew she couldn't see what I was pointing at.

"Sure," She said as she set the menu down and picked up her phone.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast, set the phone down, there will be no phones on girls day, "I said putting my hand down on the phone and slightly pushing down. I was thinking about him when the waiter came. He was pretty cute, he always went to the cafe and talked to Alabama for like 20 minutes every day she is just crazy about him and is always talking about him so when he came to take our orders she froze on the spot... she was still awake thank god!

"And what would the two pretty ladies like?" the waiter said-mostly to Alabama- flirtatiously and got his notepad out. I smiled and told him that we were gonna get 2 bacon burgers he wrote that down and ripped the page out and scribbled something down on the pad then ripped the out and handed it to Alabama. I swear I had never, ever seen her face light up like it just did. I think she almost exploded, her face was so red and she had a huge smile plastered on it. When he left I immediately stole the paper and unfolded reading the guy's name and number. I looked at her and we both smiled and squealed, well as quietly as you can make a squeal. we high-fived each other and waited for the guy to come back but instead, a girl came.

"Where is..." I started when she cut me off,

"Logan went off in a hurry after a phone call, I have no clue what it was about, sorry," she said as she set our plates down and left.

"do you think he's okay?" Alabama said. I thought about this for a second.

"honestly, no, I don't"