I entered the ward where Jenni was admitted and found only Dan was beside her.
"How's she?" I managed out of my breathlessness.
''Did you run to here? Here, have a seat.'' Dan got up from the chair beside Jenni and let me sit there. I sat next to Jenni, holding her hand while she just lay there without moving.
"You said she woke up."
"Well, she didn't exactly wake up. She moved her finger. But that's also an improvement, you know."
''What did the doctor say?"
"He said she got better. Chances are she'll wake up soon."
"That's such a relief," I say heaving a sigh.
I still remember the day exactly two months and seven days ago. Jennifer is a popular girl at school. She is pretty as well as smart. So, almost all guys like her. Even though she is not interested in any guy all popular guys confess to her all the time. It made her a target of the fans of those popular guys. Some girls took her photos while she was changing for gym class. Even though those are not nudes but they were pretty embarrassing. Then they put those photos up on the school bulletin board. The school authority took them down within an hour after the school started. But it was too late by then. Many people took pictures of it and shared it causing it to spread to more people.
I was ill that day. So I just slept at home turning my phone off. Then around midday, Daniel came to my house and told me Jenni jumped down from the school's terrace. All the girls involved were expelled. Thankfully, Jenni hadn't died. But she went into a coma.
Ever since I was a child, I didn't have many friends. It's because I always stayed to myself. Jenni was the first one to start a conversation with me. Then we became friends. The other girls also started playing with me. The real reason I had many friends was that I was close to Dan and he is a really popular guy.
I was looking at Jenni holding her hand when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked at Dan who had a reassuring smile on him.
"It's gonna be alright, Julie. Don't worry too much."
His warm smile made me smile as well. Years ago, I also liked Dan. But one day Jenni made me promise I wouldn't fall in love with his brother. I decided my friendship with Jenni was more important to me than my crush on Dan. Now, I only like him as a warm friend.
"I know, Dan," I replied with the same smile he gave me.
My mom texted me right that moment.
'Hurry home. There's something I need to tell you.'
My mom never texts me. But when she does, I know it's an emergency.
I looked at Dan with a worried expression. He replied without me asking," If you have to go, just go. I'm here. I'll text you if something happens."
"Thanks. Bye"
Returning some, I found our guests didn't leave yet.
I looked at Sally apologetically and said, " I'm so sorry. Something really important came up and I had to leave. I should have said before leaving."
"Oh, it's fine sweetheart. I'm sure if it wasn't important enough you wouldn't have left like that," she said with a warm smile that resembled the one of Dan's.
Ryan just stood, not smiling but also not the rude expression from before. Maybe the drawing conversation worked.
Sally looked at mom and said," We'll be going now. Call me when you are done packing. I'll text you Ryan's address later."
This made me confused. Packing for what? Why would mom need Ryan's address?
As soon as they left I asked my mom the questions. Her reply blew my mind off.
"Julie, your dad has some issues with the company. I need to go outside the country to help him. I don't want to leave you alone. Sally became a part of our company recently. So she's going with me as well. Sally suggested you live with Ryan for the few months we won't be here."
"Mom, you are asking your teenage daughter to live with a teenage guy of her age alone. Are you out of your mind?"
"Don't worry about that. Ryan's a very trustable person."
"Mom, he's just a teenage guy no matter how much trustable."
"I know I'm asking you this because he is not interested in girls."
Bam. My new crush isn't even interested in girls.
"How do you know that?''
"He has never shown interest in any girl no matter how pretty or attractive they are. He only hangs out with his friend Connor. They must be a couple. Sally told me she had been observing Ryan for a long time and she is sure of it. Anyway, I agreed with Sally because of this."
"But mom still you can't.."
"Julie, I said it. I'm not leaving you alone in this town. You know it's not safe."
It's useless. My mom never says no to something I say yes and yes to things I say no. She never stops me from doing what I want. But when she does, there's no way I can't listen to her.
"Did you talk to dad about it?"
"Don't you dare tell your dad about it. He will be very angry if he hears I left you with Matt's son."
"Who's Matt? Ryan's dad?"
"Yes. A few years ago your dad and he had a fight. Your dad is still probably angry at him for that. I just told him I'm leaving at one of my friend's house. You better stick to that."
"Yes, mom. When are you leaving, mom?" I asked taking in all the new information. My dad knew Ryan's dad somehow and they were close enough that my dad is upset
My flight is a few hours later. I'll pack now. You should also pack. It'll be a few before I return. I'll give you a spare key to the home. I'll drop you at Ryan's before going to the airport."
"Is it just the two of us living?" I asked kind of wishing she would say yes.
"Yes."
Yes. I'll be living with Ryan alone. As excited I am I'm just the same nervous. Also sad to know he's not into girls.