His Lifeline

Chapter 30: I Perform a Backflip Over a Couch

I took a deep breath. Today was the first day of school I've had in nearly two weeks. It was Thursday. Since I had been absent from work for so long, the manager fired me. Not that I cared; I didn't really need an escape anymore. Anyway, I was discharged from the hospital late last night and managed to convince my mom to let me go to school. I still had to give my song to my music teacher after all.

Unfortunately, each class I entered added to my confusion. I had no idea what anything we were learning was about, and I knew right then, I needed Annabeth to tutor me. I sighed. Today had been strange. I didn't see Annabeth at the library, so I assumed that she had grown out of the habit. It had been a while since I'd been to school.

Luckily I didn't need to distance myself anymore. Gabe and the debt collectors were in prison, and I was glad to know that no one I knew was in danger.

Turns out that officer Charlie and Ryan were supposed to watch me for the next few weeks to make sure nothing happened to me while Gabe and the collectors were in prison. However, they apologized when I got hurt during the capturing phase. I was just glad it was all over.

The doctor had told me not to overexert my arms, but I had to play in the competition tomorrow. The past few days, I had poured over the music I had my mom print for me and memorized every note. I had played the song over and over in my head, making it stick like glue.

As I walked out of PE, I ran to music class to sign up before meeting Annabeth and Rachel at the library. I quickly ran in and gave my teacher a small note that told her Ky's song. I placed it on her desk before running out.

I jogged over to the library, grabbing my notebooks since I was going to ask for assistance with my make-up work. But when I got there, the two girls I was excited to see weren't there. I felt a bit disappointed and let-down. Ok, maybe a lot disappointed until my phone buzzed.

Annabeth: Oi! Look at the couch!

Confused, I walked over to the couch and saw a small post-it note. Why couldn't she just text me? I looked over the note.

Go to the place we met.

If this was from Annabeth, that would be math class. Still confused, I walked there and saw a bright pink one on the floor where Annabeth woke me up.

Go to the place where you eat lunch.

I immediately felt my ears redden. I didn't think Annabeth knew about me staying in the janitor's closet during lunch. I laughed uneasily as I walked over to the janitor closet in front of my French class. I slipped inside and saw a lime green post-it on the back wall. Grabbing it, I skimmed the words.

Where you got over your fear of playing in front of people

I thought to myself. I played in the music room or the auditorium. But I never really played in front of people to get over my fear or apprehension. Then it clicked; Annabeth's house. I would play in front of her friend group there. I figured I probably wouldn't get any studying done, so I put my notebooks into my locker and walked out of the school.

I crossed a few streets as I walked to Annabeth's house. Why did she have me go on this elaborate sticky note scavenger hunt when she could've just texted me? I sighed. I'll never understand girls' way of thinking.

Knowing that stairs and my feet had a feud going on, I gripped the handrail and stepped slowly up the stairs. No room for error as I concentrated on not hitting my head on the floor. Thankfully I made it up the stairs without incident and knocked on the door.

Annabeth quickly stepped out, closing the door behind her.

"Alright, Rusticitas, you ready?" she asked. She was biting her lip, excitement dancing in her eyes as her eyes flickered from me to the door. I looked at her, confused, and she just sighed.