Coach Carter

Thirteen

I woke up, alone on the couch. Laughter was floating through the house. I stood just outside the kitchen, noticing Alexis was in the kitchen with Jen. They were making breakfast and dancing around the kitchen, not a care in the world. I smiled; I was happy that Jen had found someone that made her this happy. I went back to the couch and grabbed my phone, snapping a few pictures of them to send them later. I cleared my throat.

"Morning." I said, sitting down at the table. "Didn't mean time interrupt your little dance party."

"You're fine, Carson." Jen turned around to put some food on my plate. "How'd you sleep?"

"Not bad. Except for when I woke up with no pillow." I chuckled.

"Yeah, Sorry about that." Lex laughed.

I shook my head. "All good dude."

Jen sat my plate down in front of me and in instantly wanted to throw up. I pushed it away a little, and looked down at the floor.

"Hey, you gotta eat. At least a little." Jen said, sitting down between me and Lex.

I nodded and forced some food down. I didn't want to eat, I wasn't hungry.

"Can I go to Anna's and watch movies? I didn't see her much this week cause I was sick."

"Homework first." I rolled my eyes.

"I'll do it at her house. She's a teacher Jen, I'm sure she's got her own stuff to do, I'll do it then." I gave her the puppy dog eyes.

She sighed. "Fine, but if you come home and it's not done, you're grounded. Got it?" I nodded. "I'm serious this time Car."

"Okay, okay. I got it." I hopped up and went upstairs, throwing on some sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I grabbed my bag and walked towards the front door.

"Forgetting something?" Jen asked, holding up my antibiotics.

"But I feel better." I whined.

"But you have to finish the bottle." She whined back.

I snatched it from her and took one out, stealing a drink of her orange juice.

"I'll see y'all later." I said, before walking out the door and down the street.

I decided to get some fresh air instead of driving. I'm feeling a lot better, not much pain and I'm able to keep food down for the most part. As I kept walking, I got this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was wrong, but I felt fine and I knew Jen was okay, so I shook it off. I got to Anna's and walked up to the door; I was going to knock, but I heard her talking. I stood there with my ear against the door; all I could here were snippets of the conversation.

"...I don't know...can't do this...Skylar."

Skylar? Is that who she's talking to? She said she hadn't talked to her since she left Westbrook.

I knocked on the door and heard a faint "I gotta go."

The door swung open and my eyes met a pair of blue-green ones.

"Hey baby." She said, pecking my cheek.

"Hi." I smiled, giving her a hug.

I tried to push the phone conversation out of my mind. I probably heard it wrong anyway. I followed her into the living room, plopping my bag and myself onto her couch.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, not as much pain as I had the other day. I'm keeping food down now." Liar.