Page 79 of Cloudless
I unlock my phone to reread my unanswered good morning text as Professor Mills takes his place at the podium. “Morning, everyone. I hope you all successfully submitted your group projects last night with no issues.”
I lean back in my seat as his voice fades into a distant hum. Worry strangles my heart like a vice as the worst possible scenarios race through my mind.
Did something happen to the twins?
Did she get in a car accident?
Did CO2 fill their house while they were sleeping?
Sweat beads on my brow as I try to convince myself I’m being an idiot.
I’m sure she’s just running late. There’s nothing to worry about.
Except I can’t shake this overwhelming feeling that something is just…wrong.
I abandon my seat and my heart by my feet as my phone shows an incoming call from Lila’s number. Surprisingly, I remember to grab my notebook before I race from the classroom without a backwards glance.
My fingers fumble against my screen in my haste to answer her call. The classroom doors closing behind me cut off Professor Mills’ words to be replaced by the welcome silence of the hallway.
I let out a sigh of relief as my back molds to the wall just outside the doors. “You had me worried, Sunshine. I thought something happened to you.”
“Kam?”
My back straightens as surprise flashes through me. “Jasper?” I’m thankful for my long legs as they carry me toward the parking lot at top speed. “What’s wrong? Where’s Lila?”
The worry coating his voice has my legs pumping faster. “She’s sick.”
I fight to keep my voice calm as the overwhelming need to justbe theretakes hold. “What do you mean, she’s sick? What’s wrong with her?”
“Her forehead is really hot, and she won't wake up.”
Worry like I’ve never known before rushes through me like hot lava as I burst through the doors and into the sunshine. “Don’t hang up, Jasper. I’m on my way, okay?” My fingers fumble in my pocket as I search for my keys, not wanting to waste time fumbling with the button on the door handle to unlock my car. “How long has she been like this?”
I hear the uncertainty in his voice that I wish so badly I could take away. “I don’t know. She said she had a headache last night before she went to bed. Her alarm woke us up this morning, and when she didn’t turn it off right away like normal, I got worried.”
My voice portrays a sense of calm I certainly don’t feel as the parking lot comes into view. “It’s okay, Tank. Everything's going to be alright.”Please don’t let me be lying to him.
“Okay.” The tears threatening his voice almost make me crumble.
I can’t hold back the sigh of relief as I lock eyes on my Tahoe. “I’m getting in my car right now, Tank.” The sound of my door slamming shut doesn’t register as I struggle with my seatbelt.
Music blasts through the speakers as soon as I press the button to start the engine. I slam my palm down on the knob with more force than necessary. My hand is surprisingly steady as I switch the call to speakerphone. The phone lands in the cupholder with a solid thunk as I try to control my breathing. “You still with me, Tank?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
I flick my emergency lights on and clench my teeth as I back out of the parking spot. “Good. I’m leaving campus now. I’ll be there in three minutes. Go to the living room window and watch for me to pull up. Donotopen the door until I get there.”
“Okay.” His voice quiets as he pulls away from the phone. “I’m going to go watch for Kam.”
I curse under my breath as I realize I forgot about one very important person. “How’s Posey doing?”
The echo of his footsteps reaches my ears as I speed through a green light. “She’s okay. Just worried about Lulu.”
“I know, Tank. I can see your street. Are you by the living room window?”
I hear a rustling on his end that I would bet is the living room curtains. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“Good. Go ahead and unlock the door for me.”
