Stringed

Chapter 24: He's Just Sick

24: He’s Just Sick

We got into my house and Luke shut the door behind us and he let me down.

I felt my legs go a little wobbly.

“You did good there,” Luke patted my head like I was a little girl.

And before I realized tears were falling from my eyes, “Why am I crying?” I asked, confused. My chest felt tight.

“Because you realized he was one of those important people in your life,” Luke pulled me into an embrace and rubbed my back.

“Maybe… Maybe because my grandmother wasn’t here Eric became my protector and the one who cheers me up,” I mumbled against his chest.

I found someone who I could trust with anything, but I pushed him away. I found a friend but I pushed him away.

“Well at least you know,” he said softly as he strokes my hair.

“Was it too late when I realized?” I looked up at him, Luke’s emerald green eyes pierced right through me.

“That’s actually up to Eric,” his face screwed up, “You better sleep, tomorrow’s the big day you know.”

Oh yes the ceremony.

“Yeah, I almost forgot,” I pulled away from him, “Thanks, you always come when I’m in trouble.”

“That’s what friends do,” he grinned at me.

I nodded, “Yeah, yeah, thanks again and good night,” I rolled my eyes.

He laughed, “Now you learned to say thanks,” he winked.

I raised an eyebrow, “Don’t rub it in! And I thought you said I needed to sleep?”

He tapped me by the shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow then, so you can cry on my shoulder again.”

I was about to tell him, “Mind your own business,” but he already went out.

“That bastard, he’s always making fun of me,” I mumbled as I went upstairs to freshen up and take some rest.

* * * * * *

The awarding ceremony started and I was at the backstage, fixing some things.

“Sherlin do you have a minute?”

I turned and saw Pamela standing there, my heart rose, I haven’t seen Eric today, “Sure,” I turned to the other staff, “I’ll be back.”

They all nodded and I followed Pamela.

We went in the cafeteria where no one was there except for the lunch lady and a few staff.

“So what is it?” I asked her.

“It’s Eric,” she said softly.

“What about him?” wait, did she see me last night? Was she really there?

“He’s being stupid,” she said and sighed.

I blinked, “Come again?”

“Eric taught me that I could still change for the better and I did. But ever since you stayed away from him he lost his glee,” she said bitterly, “He really loves you Kate, but he’s just too stupid to make a move I guess,” she shrugged.

“That jerk, but I do remember he started avoiding me immediately after the stupid race,” I started to recall what happened after I was brought to the infirmary for my injury he never talked to me again.