Page 150 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“I can walk.”

“Sofia,” Mom warned, and Cole whispered, “Just let them help you, please.”

“Fine.” I relented because the truth was, I didn’t trust that I could walk myself. I felt… wrong again. Like my equilibrium was all out of whack.

The medics helped me onto the stretcher, wheeling me away just as Aaron arrived.

“Sofe, what the fuck?”

“Son,” Dad chided.

“You fainted again? But I thought—”

“I’m fine.” I couldn’t meet his gaze because he’d see the lie.

He’d see right through it, and I didn’t want him to find out the truth like this.

“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?”

“Come on,” Mom said. “We should move this inside and give Sofia some privacy.”

Cole stayed by my side as they wheeled me down the tunnel and into the building.

A violent shudder tore through me. All those people watching, witnessing my fall.

“How are you feeling now, Sofia?” the medic asked.

“I’m okay, thanks.”

Aaron murmured something behind us, but Dad answered, the two of them speaking in hushed voices. Something told me they weren’t going to let this slide, and I hated it—hated myself and my stupid body—that I hadn’t been able to make it until Sunday.

Cole’s big night was tomorrow. He needed me there. I had to be there.

I had—

“Sofia?”

“Y-yeah?” I blinked up at one of the medics. We were already in a small room off the hall.

“I’m going to check your blood pressure, okay? While my colleague speaks to your parents.”

Don’t tell them, I wanted to scream. But I didn’t, paralyzed by fear.

Cole gripped my hand, brushing his thumb over my knuckles as I glanced over at Aaron. His gaze snagged on mine and his eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Aaron, Son,” Dad interjected. “Now isn’t the time.”

“Screw that, Dad. Something is going on. I didn’t think… You’re hiding something.”

“Aaron.” His name was ash on my tongue as the cuff tightened around my arm.

Silence echoed through the room as we watched the medic do his thing.

“Okay, all done. It’s a little low, but nothing to be too concerned about. Are there any other health concerns we need to be made aware of?”

It was like he had pulled the pin on a grenade and rolled it into the room. My heart sped up and then stopped, blood roaring inside my ears.

“Don’t,” I choked out, silently pleading with Mom and Dad not to do it. Not here. Not like this.

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