Page 33 of Before We're More Than Friends
Alex
No, it’s just that
I expected him to follow up withthat, but he didn’t.
Chloe
It’s just that what?
More silence. What the heck was happening?
Alex
It’s just that you’re way too young to be dating boys, miss! Focus on your business first.
I snorted, relief pouring through me.
Chloe
You scared me! I thought you were upset.
Alex
Lmao, you’re good. But seriously, if you ever dated someone, I’d be happy for you. As long as he doesn’t suck. That’s a whole other issue.
Chloe
Don’t worry, I’m too picky to date a loser. I won’t have the problem Arielle has.
Alex
Dang, what a diss
Chloe
Oops, it wasn’t supposed to be
But really, thank you
He didn’t respond for almost a minute, but when he did, it felt like the tone had changed.
Alex
Anygood friend would be supportive.
The hope I’d carried around the next two days died Saturday morning when I came downstairs to retching coming from my parents’ bedroom. My first thought was that the flu was going around, but when the vomiting became louder, dread coated my stomach. I made my way into the master suite.
“Mom?” I creaked the bathroom door open, not ready for the whiff of puke that would come over my senses.
Mom turned to me like a zombie. Her dark eyes were red and baggy, her lips wet. “Don’t come in, honey. It’s not a nice sight.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, too late.”
She gave a small laugh before burping. She stuck her head in the toilet and let out another wave.
If this was what happened after drinking too much, then you’d never see me near an alcoholic beverage in my life.
“What the hell did you do?” I asked, my frustration already growing. I tried to be patient with Mom, but it was harder some days than others. And today was not the day.
