Unbroken

Chapter 11: Not Really Sick

A/N: Thanks to all those who have stuck with me as my updates have been few and far between. I've been working really hard on a soon to be published story, but it's been giving me a smidgen of difficulty. Hopefully I'll get that story finished soon. :)

Emma:

An incoming text startled me. I dropped my eyes down expecting it to be Ari letting me know she was getting my homework. For some reason, my mom was convinced that I was sick and refused to let me out the door. She said that Ari had heard me throwing up during the night, so maybe Ari was having crazy dreams? I had asked Ari what was going on and also to get my homework so that I didn't fall behind.

Why was Rook texting me? I had all their numbers, but I didn't think any of the guys would miss me if I weren't there today.

Em, the guys are saying that you're acting a little strange today?

Wait... what? I'm at home because my mom is convinced that I have some weird flu that presents itself without a fever.

So... you aren't in class today? Nix and Kacen both saw you.

I frowned. Was Ari posing as me? We hadn't switched places since we were little, and we weren't able to pull it off successfully, even then. One of us always did something to give ourselves away.

Ari, what did you do?! I didn't expect an answer since she'd been ignoring my texts all day.

To Rook, I replied, no. Apparently my sister decided to go in my place. I have no idea why. I never received a reply, but figured that he was probably busy with his classes. Sighing, I slumped against my headboard, opening one of my text books to start reading ahead. If I wasn't going to school, I might as well study.

~*~*~*~

The front door slammed shut, startling me. Was school over already? A glance at my clock showed that Ari was late. Maybe she'd gone to her own practice after parading as me all day.

After spending the entire day angry with my sister, I didn't want to talk to her.

"Emma? Are you in your room?"

I didn't bother to answer. She'd find me eventually.

She ran up the stairs, stepping into my room without knocking. "Emma, why didn't you answer me?"

"I don't really want to talk to you right now. If you'll just give me my homework, you can go away." I glanced up at her with a scowl.

"Why are you mad at me?" Her arms crossed over her chest defensively.

"Because you lied to mom and said I was sick. Because you decided to pose as me for an entire school day? Why wouldn't I be angry with you?" I was practically vibrating with anger.

"I did it for you. Besides, you should be glad that you didn't have to go to school today. I saved you a day of anxiety," she huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"You didn't do it for me. You decided you wanted to meddle in my life, and you knew it would upset me. Now, give me my homework and go away. I'm done talking about this." I held my hand out, waiting for her to hand over my work.

"Fine!" She dug around in her backpack, making me cringe. Her bag was a mess. We'd only been going to school for a few days, how did she have so much loose paper floating around in there?

She finally handed me a sheet of paper with all my homework listed on it. Glancing at it, I waved her off. "Now go away before I say something I'll regret later."