Forget Green Gables

What the Actual..., Pt. 3

Jessie is in my desk chair the next time I wake. "Hi," I croak out, gulping down half a bottle of water. My sheets are soaked through, which I take as a vaguely hopeful sign that my fever is breaking. I still have not seen or heard my mother.

"I don't know what to do," Jessie states by way of greeting. "And, hi. How're you feeling?"

"If I smell half as bad as I feel, then awful."

Jessie makes a sympathetic face. "Do you want anything?"

"Would you put the soup in the fridge when you leave?"

Jessie nods. "I guess you've heard."
I nod and my head feels ready to explode. "Jamie's mad at me because I didn't turn on Rebecca outright. Rebecca's got no good answer for what happened. What do you think?"

Jessie sighs. "Rebecca was out of sorts all evening...just...way too loud and talkative. About 11 she said she didn't feel well, and Carl offered to drive her home. We figured she was coming down with whatever you have because her face was all flush and she couldn't really focus. Your dad was coming to get Jamie and Felix, so Jamie said that it was fine for Carl to drive Rebecca home. The next thing I know Jamie's calling me crying because Carl called her and Rebecca kissed him."

It does not make sense, especially in my fever/medication haze. Rebecca is the unofficial glue that holds us all together and keeps us sane. Why would she do something so devious? Furthermore, Rebecca does not even like Carl that much. She tolerates him because of his relationship with Jamie, and she talks to him when we hang out as a group, but I never had the feeling that Rebecca was particularly moved or intrigued by Carl.

"Nothing makes any sense," Jessie states.

"I can't believe Rebecca would kiss Carl, but I don't think Jamie would lie either."
"So what do we do?"

"I wish I knew." I drift slowly back to sleep.