Thank you @MadisonElina_11 for sending me this cover on Twitter! I really love it.
***
I woke up around 9 AM, the sound of my alarm clock a distant memory. Monday had arrived without my notice, and the reality of being stuck in my bedroom for almost three days was starting to sink in. My mom still wouldn't let me go to school, a decision that felt suffocating. I was itching to escape the confines of the house, but I knew I'd have to endure another round of my mom's anxious "what if" scenarios if I even hinted at leaving.
A knock on my bedroom door broke my reverie. My mom peeked in, her face a mix of concern and warmth. "There's someone here to see you," she announced.
"Hey!" Amelia's voice cut through the air, followed by her enthusiastic leap onto my bed. The giggles came easily, a bright spot in the grayness of my situation.
"I thought you might need some company while I'm at work. Plus, I know how bored you must be in here, so I convinced your mom to let me come over," Amelia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Your mom really knows how to pick her lifeguards!" Amelia added with a wink at my mom, who smiled back.
"Alright, I'm off to work. Hailey, behave. And Amelia, please keep an eye on my daughter," my mom instructed as she headed for the door.
Amelia gave a mock salute. "Got it!"
As soon as the door shut, Amelia turned to me, beaming. "I brought ice cream! Ben and Jerry's, your favorite!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but mirror her excitement.
"Come on, let's head downstairs and watch some TV!" I slipped on my cozy slippers while she helped me up from the bed. We made our way down the stairs, and I couldn't shake the worry that my mom would come back any moment, forbidding me to leave the house again.
"Are you sure your mom won't mind you skipping school?" I asked as we reached the living room.
"Nah, I told her I was babysitting you. Besides, it's a good excuse to take a break," she said, laughing a little. "Not that I want to end up in the hospital like you, though!" She added with an awkward smile.
As we settled on the couch, I couldn't help but think about how surreal this felt. Being hurt had shifted the dynamic in my life, making me the center of attention in ways I had never wanted. Sure, it was nice having Amelia here, but the pitying looks from othersâpeople I barely knewâmade me want to crawl under a rock.
"I'll cook us some breakfast first before we dive into that ice cream," Amelia declared, helping me sit down.
"Thanks," I replied, sinking into the cushions. As she left for the kitchen, I grabbed the remote and switched on the TV. Scrolling through Netflix, I paused at The Breakfast Club and pressed play, settling in with a pillow as my only companion.
"Hey! I think I burned the waffles!" Amelia shouted from the kitchen, pulling me from my movie.
I chuckled, pausing the film and making my way toward the kitchen, the smell of something charred wafting toward me. Amelia stood by the counter, a sheepish smile on her face.
"Heh, sorry. I really don't know how to work the waffle maker!" she said, looking down at the sorry remnants on the plate.
"Yeah, I think I've heard enough of that," I replied, reaching for the waffle maker and unplugging it. The sight of the blackened waffles made me laugh.
"I added some whipped cream to make it taste better?" Amelia said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
I shook my head. "No thanks. Let's just toss that. I'll whip up something for us." I opened the trash bin and watched as Amelia tossed the charred remains away. But before I could head to the fridge, she stepped in front of me.
"I'll handle this! You go back to watching TV," she insisted.
"I can cook for myself. I won't burn it," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Thanks for rubbing my cooking skills in my face," she shot back, smirking.
"But seriously, I promised your mom I'd take care of you. Let me be your chef for the day, and you can owe me later," she insisted.
"Fine, but only if you let me help," I said, raising an eyebrow.
"Deal!" she said, brightening up. "Now grab some eggs and bacon."
After we managed to create a somewhat edible breakfast, we returned to the couch with our plates and the ice cream. With the movie playing, we were absorbed in the story when suddenly, a knock echoed through the house.
I paused the movie, exchanging anxious glances with Amelia. "Do you think that's...?" I started.
"It might be your mom's biological son," Amelia suggested, her face twisting in concern.
Another knock, this one louder, made my heart race. "Maybe it's just my mom," I said, standing.
Amelia shot up, her eyes wide. "No way! I can't let you open that door alone! What if it's a serial killer?"
"Stop saying that!" I said, though her worry mirrored my own. "I'll open the door," I declared, pushing past her.
She looked horrified. "Hailey, no! I'll take the bullet! You get the phone ready in case it's a murderer." She grabbed a tennis racket from the corner of the room.
As she took a deep breath, readying herself to confront whatever lurked outside, she suddenly paused. "Wait, I didn't know you played tennis," she said, glancing at me.
"I don't," I replied, incredulous. "Just open the door!"
"Fine, but you owe me," she said before stepping forward, gripping the racket tightly. With a shaky hand, she unlocked the door, peeking outside before opening it fully.
A moment passed before she dropped the racket, surprise painting her face. "What are you doing here?" she asked the figure standing on the porch.
I watched curiously as Amelia stepped outside, closing the door behind her. I pressed play, trying to distract myself with the movie, when a few moments later, Amelia returned, looking flustered.
"Someone wanted to check on you," she said, and I looked past her, my heart skipping a beat as I recognized Calebâthe guy who had mentioned looking for me.
"Hey, Caleb. What are you doing here?" I asked, intrigued as he stepped inside, a bouquet hidden behind his back.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing. I heard about the accident and figured I'd stop by. I hope I'm not interrupting," he said, glancing between me and Amelia.
"Nope, not at all," Amelia replied quickly. "I'm just babysitting my best friend who fell and hurt herself," she added, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Caleb raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Or maybe you need to be babysat," he retorted, earning a glare from Amelia.
"Anyway, I brought you flowers. Hope you like sunflowers," he said, extending the bouquet toward me.
Amelia stepped in front of me, crossing her arms. "She doesn't like sunflowers," she stated bluntly.
Caleb rolled his eyes. "How well do you know her?"
"Pretty well," Amelia shot back, her eyes narrowing.
I couldn't help but smile as I grabbed the flowers. "It's the thought that counts. Thank you, Caleb. Sunflowers are beautiful."
His face lit up, and he shrugged at Amelia as if to say, See?
"You can join us for the movie if you want," I offered, hoping to ease the tension.
"Actually, I have some errands to run," Caleb said, glancing at Amelia with a teasing look. "Right, big sis?"
Amelia huffed. "Fine, I'll let you go this time."
Caleb sat down next to me, and we settled into a comfortable silence while the movie played. The awkwardness hung in the air like a thick fog, and I glanced at my phone, contemplating texting Amelia to break the silence.
Hailey: What's taking you so long? What are you doing in there?
Amelia:Â Doing my business, number two.
Hailey:Â That's disgusting. Please spray some air freshener.
Amelia: Done. Want to come and smell? XD
Hailey: No way! My poor nostrils can't take it.
Moments later, Amelia reappeared, a satisfied look on her face. "Finally, some fresh air!" she declared, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
Caleb stood up, heading toward the bathroom. "God, what took you so long?" he called over his shoulder.
Amelia shrugged, grinning widely. "You might want to brace yourself!"
"Why?" Caleb asked, confusion coloring his tone.
"Because your sister's 'business' is explosive!" I teased, unable to keep a straight face.
"Hailey!" Amelia exclaimed, laughter bubbling up between us.
"I didn't spray before I left, just for you!" she added, doubling over with laughter.
And for the first time in days, I felt the heaviness of the world lift just a little. Sometimes, all it took was a visit from a friend and some laughter to remind me that even in the chaos, there were bright moments.
***
it took me almost 2 months for not updating this story and I really do apologize. a lot has happened for the past month for me and I really can't imagine how time flies so fast.
I hope you guys aren't mad at me for updating late. better late than never, right? but here it is and it's finally winter break so I guess there will be more updates for the next few days for me. I hope you guys enjoyed reading.
don't forget to vote, comment your thoughts about the edited update and share this story with your friends.
carry on and happy reading!~
-The Author