Leave The City (Book 8 of Adopted by the Josephs)

87. Samantha

Friday morning I woke up with a sore throat and my head feeling fuzzy. I figured it was from staying up a bit too late the night before on FaceTime with Dylan. And the sore throat? Probably just dry.

I got up, ignoring the aches in my joints. I'd clearly slept funny, too.

In the washroom I took a quick shower, hoping to warm up a little. I couldn't be sick. I had school and then the basketball game with Dylan. The school season had ended in March. I'd been given the all clear to play the championship game with my team. We'd won and I was finishing my high school career with four championships.

I got out of the shower and frowned at my reflection. I looked a little pale today. It's fine. I'm fine. I'll be alright. I'll just take it easy.

"Sam? Are you alright?" Uncle Brendon looked at me as I came downstairs.

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

"You look a little pale. Did you sleep okay?"

"Not really," I said. "Wasn't a great night's sleep."

It wasn't a lie. I'd woken up at some point and couldn't find a comfortable position. It had taken a while to fall back to sleep.

"You're sure?" He said, coming over and feeling my forehead.

"I'm sure," I said, moving away from him.

"You're a little warm." He frowned at me, his hands on his hips.

"I just took a shower?" I shrugged. He frowned at me.

"Call us if you feel sick. You look a little off. But you're also 18 and capable of making decisions for yourself. Just remember, be careful," he said. I nodded.

"Is Dylan picking you up?" He asked.

"No. I thought you were driving me. We're going to the game after school," I said.

"Right. That's today. Sorry. Okay. Five minutes. I'll be ready," Uncle B said.

"I still haven't had breakfast," I said, my stomach sort of turning at the thought. "You've got time."

"Get some food. I'll be right back down," he said, heading to the stairs.

I pulled out some cereal, poured myself a bowl and sat to eat it. I couldn't finish it, though, so I tossed it down the disposal in the sink and put my bowl away. I pulled my hoodie around me tighter against the slight chill I felt.

Uncle Brendon was down ten minutes later and smiling, ushered me out the door.

We chatted on the way to school. We'd left early enough he stopped at Starbucks and we got coffee as well.

"Okay," he said as he pulled into the school driveway. "Have a great day, be careful, have fun tonight, be home by midnight."

"Will do. All of the above," I smiled.

I got out of the car and walked right into Dylan, who had seen us pull up and had come over to the car.

"Good morning beautiful lady," he said. "Hi, Brendon."

Uncle Brendon waved, reminded Dylan to have me home by midnight, and drove away.

"Are you okay?" Dylan asked as we walked into the school.

"Yep," I said.

"You sure? You're a bit pale. And you feel a little warm," Dylan said.

"You sound like Uncle Brendon," I smiled. "I'm fine. I slept badly last night. And he didn't have the AC on very high in the car."