Chapter 2
I was scared to check and see who it could have been. I hoped it wasn't Kari. I didn't want to text her tonight. I pressed the home button and clicked my messages. It was a number that I didn't recognize.
The text: Hey.
Me: Who is this?
The text: It's henry. We talked this morning.
What? Henry? Texting me? I was nervous for few seconds. I didn't know how to reply. I wanted to know how he got my number. I wondered if he had talked to Kari.
Henry: Hello?
Me: Hi sorry. Just wondering how u got my #
Henry: Kari gave me it
Me: Oh. So u just wanted 2 say hi?
Henry: Actually I wanted to ask u something.
Me: Ok wht.
Henry: Does Kari like me?
Me: I dnt think I should b the one 2 tell if she does or not.
Henry: I guess ur right. How can I tell if she does?
Me: She'll give u signs.
Henry: Oh. What type of signs?
Me: Like maybe the way she looks at u. Or if she tries her best to sit by u everyday or something. Idk.
Henry: Ok. Thx.
Me: R u really going 2 kiss her 2morrow?
Henry: We'll see. GTG. See u 2morrw!
Me: Ok. See u 2morrw.
I couldn't believe that I just texted the most popular guy in our school. I found myself reading through our conversation over and over again. By midnight I was asleep, phone in hand, dreaming about our next possible conversation.
The next morning was Friday morning. I got up 20 minutes before my alarm went off. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, put it up in it's usual ponytail, and went downstairs to make myself some breakfast. I never got this done early. I should wake up 20 minutes earlier more often. I fixed myself an omelet with cheese inside served with a glass of a glass of orange juice. By the time I finished my breakfast my parents were up, arguing. My brother was dressed and came downstairs.
"Morning. Lizzy." He chuckled.
"Call me that again and I will kill you myself." I threatened.
"I'm going to tell mom." He threatened back.
"Not if you're dead." I replied.
"Whatever. Why are you up anyway, you are usually still asleep." He changed the subject.
"I actually don't know. I woke up 20 minutes before my alarm went off." I reminisced.
"Interesting. I would still be asleep, if it weren't for mom and dad." He said.
I went upstairs to check and make sure everything was ok. I listened through the door to find a good time to come in.
"Samuel. I can't do this anymore!" my mom yelled.
"What are you talking about, Linda?" my dad asked.
"I have to tell you and the kids. I-I-I can't keep this to my self anymore." Mom started to cry.
I leaned in closer, listening in suspense. Waiting for what was going to come out of my mother's mouth.
"I went to the oncologist last week. A-And he told me that...um..." My mom started to stutter.
"What did he say, Linda?" My dad urged to know.
"I have Stage 3 breast cancer." My mom started to cry even harder. "I've known for a week now. I couldn't find the time to tell you. You have been getting home so late now, that it's become hard for me to talk to you. I'm so sorry, Sam." My mom began to bawl.
"It's going to be ok Linda. I promise. It's going to be ok." My dad tried to comfort her, best he could.
I kept my hand over my mouth and felt the warm tears from my eyes, fall down my cheeks. What are we going to do now? I can't lose her.
I ran downstairs trying not to burst in front of my brother.
"Hey why in a such a rush, Lizzy? Your bus doesn't come until 7:30, it's only 7:15." He asked, puzzled.
I didn't have time to answer him or scold him for calling me Lizzy. At this point I didn't care. I was too worried about mom and the kiss that could be taking place today, at school. I ran like wild tigers were chasing me. I ran until I got to the park right across from my school. I sat under a nearby willow tree and cried. I realized I forgot my backpack and jacket, but I didn't care and I wasn't going back to the house to get them. I can do without them for a day. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and read my conversation with Henry again and again and again, until the school bell rang.
