The Laws of Emotion

Chapter Eighteen

It was Wednesday night and Sophia had texted me that she made it home safely. It was only five in the afternoon. I finished my list of laws about half an hour ago, so I skimmed it. My favorite law was number eight. It said: 'Don't show your emotions around him because you will be heartbroken. He has made it clear that you two are only friends.' I liked it because it was straightforward. I didn't want to get my heart broken because he didn't care for me like I wanted him to.

I felt so much better than I did on Sunday, and I was honestly going crazy being home. Checking the time on my phone, I decided that I could still make it to the hospital to see Margaret. I hoped she was still there. I also hoped that my parents would let me go.

My feet pattered across the floor and down the stairs. I grabbed my keys and reached for the door when my mom asked, "Where do you think you're going?"

I swirled around. She had her arms crossed over her chest. Dad stood behind her, something flashing in his eyes. I couldn't tell what it was, though. "I'm going to the hospital," I said, nodding. "I want to see Margaret."

"Cat, you are still sick," Mom said, pressing her palm into my forehead. I stared into her eyes and shook my head. 

"I'm not sick," I said. "It was just some food poisoning, and it's better now. I promise."

Her hand dropped off of my forehead, falling to her side. I offered her a smile, but it was hard. My newfound feelings were making it hard for me to think about anything else. I wasn't happy that I had to smash my feelings down, but I had to, especially since Harvey was unofficially with another girl. 

"Fine," Mom said with a sigh. She didn't look too happy with that decision. "But you better be home by six, okay? Come home earlier if you don't feel good."

"I will," I said, nodding. "Thank you!"

I threw my arms around her shoulders, and her arms went around my waist. "You've lost weight," she said, pulling away from me. She stared at me accusingly. 

"I think that happens when I can't hold any food in me for an extended period of time," I said, shrugging. "I'll gain it back."

Mom frowned. "Are you sure you're fine? You look weaker, Cat."

"I'm fine," I said firmly. "If you want, you can come with me, though. Just to make sure I'm okay."

She glanced at Dad, and he seemed to say something with his eyes to her. She nodded. Dad brought her purse over to her and said, "I love you two."

"Love you, too," I answered. Mom glanced at him, her lips pressed together in a line.

"Love you," she said finally. "I'll see you later."

He nodded, the light in his eyes dimming. I didn't say anything until we got in my car. Mom was in the drivers seat, taking my keys from me when I said, "What was that about?"

"What?" she asked, starting the car. She looked at me with a frown. "What was what about?"

"You and Dad," I said. "It looked like you two were fighting. But you never fight."

Her eyes were suddenly trained on the road. There were dark circles underneath her eyes. When had that appeared? I knew she had gotten cleared to go back to work and perform more surgeries. She shouldn't have been stressing about that, so it had to be about Dad. 

"Were you guys fighting?" I asked softly.

Mom nodded slightly. "It's about nothing, though."

I didn't push her anymore. She looked miserable, so I pressed my lips together. I turned the radio up a little louder so it wouldn't be awkward, and I rested my head on the seat, staring outside the window. I didn't know why they would be fighting. They were literally the perfect couple. They never fought. I knew they loved each other, and I didn't want them to be fighting.

Mom pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and dropped me off at the doors. "I'll text you where I end up parking," she called as she drove away. 

I didn't bother to answer as I headed inside. The visiting hours were almost over, so I hurried through the halls of the hospital. I made it to Margaret's room and knocked before entering. She smiled brightly at me and said, "Where have you been?"

"I've actually been sick," I replied, wrapping her up in a hug. "I got food poisoning, and I had to miss a few days of school. How have you been?"

She shrugged. "I don't want to lie to you, but my sister told me to stay positive."

I forced a smile on my face as I pulled away. She looked frail in the bed. "I'm sorry," I said softly. "You shouldn't be stuck here in this hospital. You should be at school, making friends and having the time of your life."

"It's okay," Margaret said, nodding. "They finally know what's wrong with me, and they're treating it as best as they can."

"Oh! What's wrong with you?"

"I have thyroid cancer," she explained. "It's very rare for children, but it can happen."

"At least they found out what is wrong," I said brightly. "That way, you can be on your path out of here."

"I just want to leave now," she whispered. "I'm so bored in here."

I stared at her, battling with myself. I doubted that I could play in the scrimmage game now, but I would force myself to do it. "What if I sneak you out of here?" I asked, lowering my voice.

She bent her head toward mine, her eyes lighting up. "Right now?"

"Unfortunately, no. My mom is with me, but I could come in a week or so. You can watch me play softball."

Margaret gasped in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm playing a scrimmage game against the baseball team. You'd get to watch Harvey play, too."

Her smile was so wide. "Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course!" I said, nodding. "I just hope your mom won't kill me."

She giggled. "She won't. Hopefully."

Her bright face made me feel warm inside. She deserved the world. "I have to go," I said to her. "My mom is worried about me because she thinks I'm so weak. I'll stop by later this week, okay?"

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I rubbed her back. "Thank you for everything, Cat," Margaret whispered in my ear. 

"You're welcome."

She held onto me for a little longer before letting go. I waved to her and started heading toward the door when she said, "Wait!"

I whirled around, and I had to steady myself against the wall. "Yes?"

"Harvey told me to tell you that Hotcakes was shut down," she said, scrunching up her face to remember. "He said that that was probably why you got food poisoning."

"Harvey came to see you?" I asked, my heart rate suddenly picking up. I didn't listen to her other words at all.

"Yes. He didn't tell you?"

"We haven't spoken in a few days," I replied softly. 

"Why?"

I stayed silent for a second. "I realized that I have feelings for him," I admitted. "But he doesn't feel the same way about me, so I came up with laws to not show my emotions around him."

"You really think that he doesn't have feelings for you?" Margaret asked, laughing. I didn't respond, so she grew serious. "Man, you two are oblivious."

I shook my head. Words weren't coming out of my mouth at all, so I shut it. I waved to her and rushed out of her room. What did she mean that I was oblivious? Harvey had told me many times that he would never date me because we were best friends. He didn't like me like I would have wanted, and and I knew he would never like me that way. I would just have to get over him.