Passing Through

Chapter 15: The Dark

The next morning, when the brilliant, beautiful sun rose up high into the heavens, spilling waves of shimmering light over the lush landscape and brightening everything as far as the eye could see, I felt like complete crap.

I was not kidding. I was not even in the mood to kid. I felt like complete crap.

My legs were sore, my head was throbbing, my eyesight was grainy, and all I wanted to do was crawl back under the covers and sleep until tomorrow.

I was not in the mood to deal with a squealing Claire and a happy but droopy-eyed Ashton.

Guess what came my way that lovely morning?

Right.

My prison room door whooshed open as I curled up under the covers, about to fall back asleep. Unfortunately, I was not fast enough to return to the land of dreams. Claire rushed inside my room, dragging a half-asleep Ashton behind her.

"Skylar! Oh my gosh! Congratulations!" she squealed.

I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head, wanting her to turn right back around and leave me in peace. Instead of doing the merciful thing, Claire marched right over to my bed and tore the covers away from my face.

"HEY!" I cried, my voice croaky.

"I can't believe no one told me you Passed yesterday!" Claire exclaimed, sounding a bit irritated.

"I'm sorry, okay? Now give that back," I muttered distractedly, snatching the blanket from Claire's fist.

She huffed in exasperation. "Skylar!"

I pulled the blanket back over my head and curled up into a ball. "Look, bro," I said, my voice muffled from the covers. "It was like, really late yesterday. I was tired. So was everyone else. It's not like we could announce it on a loudspeaker."

"But you could've at least told me!" Claire protested.

"Yeah, Ashton did."

"Ash told me this morning!"

"Well, Ash did as soon as it was possible for him."

"But I-"

"Can you guys shut up?" Ashton broke in. "It's not even a big deal, Claire."

She turned on him immediately. "You call this a small deal?"

I could almost feel his regret for interrupting our banter all the way from under the covers.

"Uh..no. It's really great..."

"Okay then, Ash. Don't say that it's not a big deal. It's a huge deal! It's so wonderful!" Claire said, suddenly bright again.

Oh Lord.

"Yeah, thanks. Really. Now, if you would be so kind as to...leave..." I suggested, popping my head out from the blanket to shoot them a smile. As soon as they got their butts out of my space, I could sleep as much as I wanted.

It sounded so heavenly.

Claire pouted. I wondered how she could act so childish when she looked to be 19 years old.

"You're such a party pooper, Sky. Can't you be happy for yourself?"

I lazily waved my hand. "I am happy for myself. Really happy. It's just that I'm also tired. Very tired. Therefore, this tiredness clashes with my ability to properly celebrate. You get it?"

"Uh huh. But Ashton here has something wonderful to tell you, regarding just that," she replied, her emerald eyes sparkling.

I groaned and ducked under the blanket again. "Oh God. Nope, not hearing it. Tell me later."