2 Years Later
I trudged through the bustling hallway, my eyes scanning the crowded space. The two-week break had nothing to ease my anxiety about returning to school. Lockers creaked open and shut, and chatter filled the air as students reunited with their friends.
I, however, walked alone, invisible among the sea of faces. I had no friends to greet, no one to share stories of summer adventures with. My footsteps echoed off the lockers as I made my way to my first-period class.
The classroom was just as chaotic with my classmates jostling for seats and exchanging laughter. I slipped into my seat, trying to blend in with the background. I pulled out my notebook and pencil, my eyes fixed on my teacher as she began to take attendance.
****
My eyes drooped,as my pencil slipped from my fingers as I struggled to focus on the math problems scrawled across the board. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the window, making me feel drowsy.
I jerked upright, my heart racing, as I realized I was on the verge of dozing off. The teacher droned on, explaining complex algebraic equations that seemed to swirl together in my head.
I groaned and my gaze drifted to the clock, willing the time to go faster. Just a few minutes…. The bell rang, shrill and loud, and I felt a surge of relief. I quickly packed my stuff and filed out of the classroom with the rest of my classmates.
As I walked home, the cool afternoon air helped me to clear my foggy mind. I was grateful for the silence, the solitude, after a long day of navigating the chaotic halls of school.
"Mom?", I called as I walked into the house. Where is she? "I'm in the kitchen, Ky". My brows knitted together wondering what she was doing in the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen. "Mom!", I shrieked, "What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be resting". "Don't you know that resting can be exhausting too?" "I can handle lunch. That's why I came home quickly. You shouldn't stress yourself, you're pregnant for goodness sake!" "Wow! I didn't know. Thanks for reminding me Ky".
I rolled my eyes. "I just wanted something to do. Trust me,this is all I've done today. Sides, how could I let you stress over lunch knowing school stressed you just as much?" I cocked my brow at her statement and folded my arms across my chest. "You can't be serious. The house is as clean as a needle. It wasn't like that this morning". "It's hard for me to relax in a messy place". "It wasn't messy! You're just being a neat freak!"
She turned to look at me. "Lunch is ready. Go upstairs and freshen up. Then you get your ass down here for lunch". I huffed and turned to leave. "Hollup", I said and turned around to face her, "When're you going for a checkup?" She rolled her lips around in her mouth. "Tommorow". I smiled. "The baby's how much longer?" "A month and half". I stared at my mother. She was glowing in excitement. I smiled at her and bounded up to my room upstairs.
****
Ding.
I stared at my phone on my dresser with my tee-shirt around my neck. I quickly wore the shirt properly and rushed over to my phone. It might be Zayn. I picked up my phone and read through the message and my shoulders dropped in disappointment. I knew it was too good to be true.
Wait. I read the message again.
Can we meet up tomorrow?
I didn't know this person. The number wasn't familiar.
Who is this?
I waited a few minutes, drumming my fingers on my dresser. I sighed and jumped onto my bed. My stomach growled, but I knew I had to find this person out.
Nigel.
I froze.
"Azalea, this is my dad. Nigel Salvatore". I stared at the Henrietta and stared back at her father. She was an exact replica of her dad. " It's nice to meet you Alea", he said and patted my cheek.
Hi. It's been a long while.
Indeed it has. Can we meet at your school tomorrow?
You know my school? Hollup, how'd you get my number?
Ava. She also told me what school you go to.
I felt my heart stop. How long has it been since I saw Ava? Oh gosh, and Henrietta.
Oh. Okay. How's Henrietta?
It took him a long time to reply. Fear rose and clamped down on my throat. I wondered why it took him so long to respond. Could something have happened to her? No. Don't think that Kyra.
Tommorow? Is that okay with you?
Why's he avoiding my question?
Sure. I'll be in school tomorrow before eight hundred hours.
Thank you.
I released a deep breath I didn't know I was holding. I had a horrible feeling about why Nigel wanted to see me. "Coming", I cried, hearing mom call me. I sighed and ran downstairs.
Tommorow will sort itself out.
****
"Kyra slow down. What's the rush?" "I've gotta meet up with someone". "Who's that?" Crap. What should I tell her now? "A friend. An old friend". I hurriedly took more morsels of my breakfast. "So you don't have any friends yet?". I shook my head. "I feel invisible at school. Unnoticed by everyone". "I'm sure that will change soon enough. You're very pretty and smart". "Yeah", I said sarcastically and literally ran to the kitchen and put my plate into the sink.
"Bye mom". I said and kissed her cheek and patted her belly.
****
Where are you? I'm in school already. At the parking lot.
I rubbed my hands together and nervously shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I stared down at the message I sent Nigel eight minutes ago. I let out a very deep breath and checked the time.
07:34
I mentally gave him 15 more minutes. I paced around the lot, feeling queasy from the stares of the students walking by. I groaned and then sighed and checked the time again.
07:42
I then decided to call him. For the love of God, I have classes to get to. "No need to blow up my phone Alea". I turned around and stared at him, feeling the anger I held in rising.
"What took you so long? We agreed at seven twenty and I was here twelve minutes before then". He sighed. " I'm sorry. I had a few things that I needed to attend to". " What's wrong Nigel? You don't look happy". He sighed again. I was scared. Was this about Henrietta? I held his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Henrietta… she…",he choked on his words.
I was horribly terrified. My jaw ticked repeatedly and then he put an envelope into my hands. "What is this?" "She asked me to give it to you". My fingers trembled as I opened the envelope and I felt tears prick eyes as I read the first line.
Alea,
It's been a while. I really miss you,but I feel it's too late. I really loved our time together. You were my friend and a sister. I really wanted you to be here with me, but it can't be anymore. Alex was here though. He cried and begged me to stay. How sweet. I love you so much Kyra. Keep being happy.
"What does she mean by this note?". My voice and hands trembled. " Kyra…" Tears started to roll down my face. "What does she mean? How is she?" I waited several minutes, staring into Nigel's glossy eyes. "Nigel…" " She… she…Henrietta's dead".
The world seemed to stop but my heart pounded rapidly in my chest. "No. No. No. No". I didn't know I was shaking until Nigel held me. "Nigel, it's my…" " Don't say that. She died from sepsis". I looked up into his blue eyes. "What?" " It's a treatment related illness".
I took rapid shallow deep breaths. " Heyyyy, calm down Alea", Nigel cooed. " That's not my name". " Oh. So what's your name then?" " Kyra. Kyra Ledger. I was adopted by then". He stiffened a bit. " I'm sorry". I shook my head.
I furrowed my brows, catching him staring at the ring his daughter had given me. "She gave it to me". "I know. I asked her to give it to you". Just then, the bell rang. I quickly wiped my tears. "I have to go now". "Kyra. The funeral is in a week". "Okay", I said quietly and ran into the school building.