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Chapter 9
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Are you ready for our date tonight?” Berry asks, pulling me in for a quick hug. I feel a moment of hesitation. It feels wrong to go out with him now. The only person I can think about is the mysterious hoodie guy who I haven’t seen or well heard from in over a week. I’ve finally decided I need to find out who he is, but it’s very hard to do that when there’s zero contact.
“Yeah, I guess so. When are you picking me up?” I look around, making sure no one is watching us. And Berry laughs at me.
“Everyone knows we are friends. A hug between friends is nothing new.”
“I know, I know. I’m just being-”
“Paranoid, you’re being paranoid.” He bops the tip of my nose and I crinkle it in distaste. A shadow grows behind me and for a second my heart flutters in excitement, thinking it’s my mystery guy. Much to my dismay, it’s the ever annoying Cameron who has taken to randomly popping up and talking to me. I groan inwardly.
“Par
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*Faith POV* My phone illuminates the darkroom as I stare at the name displaying on the screen “Izzy”. My mind races with thoughts and reasons he is calling me at 1 on an early Wednesday morning. I roll my eyes. He probably somehow magically knows about yesterday’s events at school. I wouldn’t be surprised. He seems to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I’ve cried on and off since yesterday and stayed home from school today so I could get some much needed rest. Everyone seems to gloss over the fact that I’m afraid of what I see when I get said rest. Mom and Mia are being pushy about talking to the therapist on a need basis and not my usual twice a week. Mom even suggested I try therapy with Dad. After seeing my face Mia shot it down, she and mom got into an argument. About what’s best for me. It should bother me that my best friend is vying for my mental health more than my mother, but I honestly feel numb to everyth
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*Cameron POV* I lean my head back against the locker as I wait for Faith outside the locker rooms. The hallways are empty and I breathe in deep, appreciating the rare alone moment. It’s these small moments I really enjoy the silence and sound of my own thoughts. The more time I spend alone and away from everyone, the more I’m learning about who I am versus who I want to be. Who I want to be is someone worth something more than my looks, grades, and family money. There is only one girl who seems to not care about such things, the invisible girl. She walks out of the locker room without noticing me and I quickly pick up speed and land myself next to her. Without even looking up, she scoffs at me and I can’t help but smile. She sends me a sidelong glance and rolls her eyes, and halts in her steps. “Ok then. Let’s get it over with.” she says, making a ‘move it along,’ motion with her hands. “Get what over with?” I ask, b
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*Faith POV* “Wait, hold on. I’m sorry.” Mia puts her hand up, stopping the flow of conversation. “Cameron invited us all to a party tonight? And you really think we aren’t going?” “Because we aren’t,” I reaffirm, looking to Noah for help, who is shoveling food into his mouth like a starved animal. “I think it would be fun. I’ve never been to a high school party” Noah chimes in, finally looking up and catching my evil glare. He winces and is about to backtrack when he looks at Mia, who is staring at him happily. He smirks, and I know I’ve lost. “Do I have to go with you?” I plead. Berry walks up and takes a seat next to me, and I gawk at him. I was worried he would still be upset with me after our date. I’d run with him since then, sure, but they had usually been silent and I was afraid to say anything. “Berry!” He smiled at me warmly “Hey, Faith,” “Y-you’re going to eat with us today?” I asked hopef
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A gentle movement wakes me up as I open my eyes, blinking in the darkness, I look at my phone to check the time and see that only ten minutes have gone by. I yawn while sitting up and turn towards the window to see the lights still raging outside. “You always take naps in strangers' beds?” A voice asks and I jump. The voice registers as Izzy and I breathe hard. “Dude. seriously you need to stop just showing up in the freaking dark or one day I'm going to Ninja you.” “I'm sorry you’re going to what me?” “Ninja you. Obviously.” I say like it's the most normal thing. “Oh yeah obviously” I can hear the sarcasm in his tone and I can't help but grin. “What are you doing here
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Warm water trickles down my leg as another contraction squeezes my insides in an invisible vice grip. I groan loudly, clutching the counter and leaning over. I hear a clattering beside me and I look over, seeing Izzy holding his little stuffed puppy, his eyes wide in fear. He looks so much like Cameron right now. I smile through the pain as he tentatively steps closer. “Mommy, you peeped your pants on the floor?” he asks in his sweet 3-year-old voice and I chuckle. “No baby, mommy is going to have a baby. Do you know where mommy’s phone is?” I ask, hoping he might remember where I had it last since I never can recall these days where I put anything. “Um. Yep!” His tiny little legs work hard as he runs out of the bathroom and bangs around in the living room. “Iz. Izzy?” I call to him. “Yeah, mommy?” “Did you find it?” He walks into the bathroom, holding my phone, and I nearly fall over with rel
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The arcade is bustling and the sounds of the games surrounding me remind me just how alive and vibrant this place is. I sit at one of the tables towards the back with a now cold pepperoni pizza as I watch everyone move around me. A young girl is crying because she lost the game while her older brother chuckles and tries to console her. The boy to the left sits at the table drinking his soda while being engrossed in some random comic strip in his hand. I look to the center of the store and I swear I can see her. Standing there in front of a young boy who looks just like me. I blink back the burn of tears, letting the memory play itself out before me as if it’s a movie of my life. “Oh, my sweet little Izzy. I promise the machines are clean,” she assures me with a sweet smile. & year old me just smiles in excitement. “Shouldn’t I be at school?” ten-year-old me asked her. “Not today. Today we are celebrating yo
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“How’s Edith?” Noah asks as he walks up to Faith and me. It’s been a few days since her stroke and there still isn’t much change. Though she woke up, she still looks like she is not completely there and it’s slowly killing me inside. “She’s hanging on.” Faith answers for me, entwining our hands and offering me a supportive smile. “Well, that’s good to hear,” Noah says, trying to make conversation as he sits at our lunch table. I like Noah. He seems to be a genuine guy who thinks the world of his two best friends. Who doesn’t respect a guy who can put up with two polar opposite girls at the same time? Ever since the time we all hung out in Faith and Mia’s living room, he and I have had a new mutual respect for one another. One that I am certain will grow into a wonderful friendship. Which is refreshing since I really only have Faith. Being the popular guy comes with a lot of things, one of them being lots of acquaintances but no
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Each blip on the monitor is a reminder that she is still here, still fighting. It’s been a whirlwind since we arrived. Flurries of medical personnel bustle in and out checking vitals, changing liquids, offering water for Faith, dad, and me. She had a stroke, that’s what the doctor said. He said extreme stress brought it on. I rode here with her in the ambulance. I just knew she would wake up if I left her alone for even a minute, and I couldn’t miss that. Yet she still hasn’t opened her eyes or even squeezed my hand. I know she will recover. It doesn’t take a medical genius to know that she is just too amazing to leave me. She would never do that to me. Faith walks up behind me and snakes her hands over my shoulder, hugging my back and giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, how are you doing?” she whispers. The heat of her breath tickles my ears as I turn slightly to see her face. She looks exhausted and stunning. How
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“Well then, I will find a job and buy us a double-wide to live in,” Dad smirks. I choke on my laugh when her face falls, and she grows pale. “Fine. I’ll sign them and go to John.” She says. It’s blatantly obvious that she is trying to get a rise out of my father, but the only reaction she gets is a bark of laughter from Faith. “My dad?” Faith is trying to contain her laughter while my mother grows red with anger. “I’m sorry. You think he wants you after you tried to destroy him by getting him addicted to drugs?” “Woah, what!” I look at my mom as she stands looking guilty. Now it’s my Father’s turn to turn red with anger. “You gave him drugs?” My father says, his voice rising as it echoes through the house.”
