IfI’m caught.
It won’t be an excuse because I do need to get some fresh air. I don’t think I’ve gotten fresh air since Friday. Every day this week, I went straight home and stayed home until the next school day.
I keep my pajamas on to make it more convincing that I’m not going anywhere. It’s the middle of October now, and the weather is cooling off, so I pull a sweater over my head.
I do the same thing I’ve done all the times before. Slowly opening my door, I peek my head out of the room to make sure no one is around.
No one is around, and my mom’s door is closed.
A win.
After hearing the click of the door, I tiptoe down the stairs. When my mom and Brynlee were gone, I studied these stairs to find out where the creeks were so I could avoid them. I come to a halt once I get down the stairs and listen. It’s silent.
Another win.
I steady my steps over to the back door, listening one more time before I slide the door open.
Silence again.
I slide the door open, step outside, and take a deep breath that I didn’t realize I was holding in.
I win.
It’s obvious she’s not on high alert.
This could work.
Again.
“Oh, my God, B! You missed such a fun party.”
So, Paige went out. Nice. “Rub it in.”
“Oh, sorry,” she says, eyeing me.
Paige continues talking as we walk to our class, but I can’t concentrate on her. All I want to do is see Kai. I haven’t seen or talked to him since Friday. It’s been so long.
Where is he?
“Are you listening to me?”
“Ugh, no,” I say. I really don’t want to hear about her weekend when I had to stay home.
“Look, if you’re worried about Kai, he didn’t do anything.”
I actually wasn't, but now that she brought it up, it gives me pause. “What do you mean?”
“I knew you might be worried. So, I kept an eye on him all night. He didn’t do anything. He was with guys all night. I didn’t see one girl talk to him, and I didn’t see him talk to any girls.”
My tension fades. Even though I trust him, I don’t trust other girls.
“He didn’t look like he was having such a great time. He looked more sad.”
Where is Kai? Did he not come to school today? I look over my shoulder and see the halls getting emptier and emptier.When I turn back around, I slam into someone’s chest, and I’m knocked to the ground.
“Are you okay?” Paige says.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t looking.” The guy I bumped into reaches out a hand to help me up. As I'm getting up, I notice people are staring at me.
