Chapter 25

I woke up feeling heavy and a constant stretch in my head.

What day was it?

I felt like weeks had passed but that couldn't have happened.

I looked around my room wondering where my phone was seeing that it was at the other side of the room on my desk. I tried getting up but felt too dizzy doing so. Slowly though, I got up and made my way to my phone sitting down at the desk.

13 unread messages.

2 missed calls.

All from Drew.

That's right. I forgot to talk to him. He must be so worried.

I looked at the time.

It was already half past 11.

Wait, what?!

I started panicking trying to get ready for school as late as I was. Then I heard a knock on my door and stiffened. I was late. They knew it and yet they didn't do anything.

My door opened and my mother's head popped in.

Great.

"Hey honey. Are you feeling better?"

Feeling better? I was freaking out! I was so late for class!

"I didn't think you'd be up now. I thought you'd be up now. I thought you'd just stay in bed."

What? What was she going on about?

She came in and closed the door behind her.

"I'll let you stay home as much as you need to, so please don't push yourself."

Why can't I seem to understand why she's worried?

Then it clicked.

Right. I passed out in school from the stress. And I didn't have time to tell Drew. Christopher told me that they'd all back off even though it'd be hard. Now my mom was here.

I was quiet for too long so I said something to give her a sign I was a bit okay and actually listening to her.

"Thanks mom."

She walked over to the foot of my bed and sat there looking at me with worried eyes.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?"

I wanted to cry. To fall in her arms and sob telling her everything. I felt the tears to come out but only to stay at the corners of my eyes, torturing me.

"It's just that..." my voice gave out. "It's the guys. They remind me of..." It gave out again. I couldn't say his name out loud.

Luckily my mom caught on and knew exactly what I was trying to say.

"I know honey. I feel them here too, within them."

She sounded like she was going to cry but kept a straight face on.

Is that why she took them in? Because they reminded her of dad and Justin?

I remembered my night with Drake.

No she took them in because she's a kind person at heart. There's no doubt about it.

I smiled and got up only to fall in her arms and hug her. Tears were falling down but slowly and only a few.

"Ooh! You're burning up! Get in bed before you get me sick."

I laughed a little before crawling back in bed dizzily.

She got up and straightened her clothes, most likely her work clothes.

Was she staying home from work because of me?

"I'll get you some medicine and water."

I nodded my head as she left.

Before, I didn't feel it but now I did. I was dizzy, my head hurt, and my limbs felt heavy. I did feel warm too. Why didn't I realize this before?

Not to long after my mom came back with a cup of water and some aspirin like Christopher did last night.

She handed me the things with a smile and I took it slowly feeling that sudden movements would only make me feel worse.

"I got to go to work now. You stay here and don't push yourself. And don't even think about going to that tree!"

I laughed at her last comment remembering that whenever I got sick I would sometimes go there. It was my tree, the only place I felt comfortable at.

"I promise not to leave the house." I recited like I did many times before only to break the promise. This time though, I don't think I could break it with how I felt.

She smiled again and came over to kiss the top of my head.

"Hurry up and go before you get sick!"

She laughed at what I said, repeating what she already said herself.

"I'm off then."

With that she left leaving me alone to my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and looked at it again.

March 23rd, Wednesday.

It really has been only a few days.

I didn't dwell on it feeling my headache get worse as I did.

I wanted to go back to sleep but I already slept too much. I sat up a bit and grabbed my book for school, which laid by my bed.

If I was at school now I would be making an excuse for why I didn't have my paper for this. I guess now I could do all of my projects I forgot about.

***

Hours passed by and I still hadn't finished my book, or ate. But I wasn't really hungry. Still I needed to eat something.

I got up and to my door. I listened closely for if the guys were around.

What am I doing?

I sat down at the door and laid my head back on it.

Dinner will be ready in a bit. I'll go downstairs then.