You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 113

Harper

Easton: Good morning, beautiful. I smile as I read the text from my boyfriend, hating how sore my throat is. Swallowing hard, I close my eyes, my head spinning. Oh no. I think I might be sick. My phone buzzes again. Easton: Miss you. Easton: Can't wait to see you at school. Me: I don’t know if I'm coming. Easton: What do you mean? Me: I don't feel so good. My phone rings in my hand and I immediately answer it. “What's wrong? '

he asks, sounding concerned. “My throat. '

I swallow again, and it hurts so bad I never want to swallow again. “It’s killing me. I think I'm coming down with something. '

“Maybe you should stay home. '

“We missed school yesterday. I can’t stay home. '

“Listen Brainiac, you'll be fine if you miss another day. It’s not like you're going to fail all your classes. '

He’s teasing me and I know he’s probably right but... I hate missing school. And now I have an extra reason to worry about not being there. Aisha trailing after my boyfriend everywhere he goes. If she knows I’m not at school, she'll be all over him. “I'm going, '

I say firmly as I sit up in bed. Only to immediately lay back down, my head swimming. “Or maybe not, '

I say weakly. “What happened? '

“('m kind of dizzy. '

I close my eyes and exhale loudly. “My body aches. '

“You're sick. Stay home, baby. You need rest. '

His voice is soft and soothing and I know he’s right. There’s a knock on my door and then it opens, my mother peeking her head around it. “You should be up already, Harper. It’s late. '

“I need to go, '

“Talk to you later?

ya babe. Love you.

might flip out if she heard me say that. She

going to her hips. “You think

nod, tucking the covers up under my chin. “My whole body aches.

bed, the back of her hand going to my forehead.

have a

Goodness, Harper, I really think you're doing too much lately. Always running around with your friends, and you're never home, I’m happy you're

shouldn't have gone to the lake with your

her eyes, that’s the case. “It was fun. I don’t regret going. I just regret the crappy weather. That's probably what got me sick

getting enough rest and doing

staying home today. In fact, I'll make a doctor’s appointment for this

“Okay. '

my lids feel all of a sudden. “You're going to take it easy

“Fine. '

and close my eyes. “And you're staying home

Mom continues. “Whatever, '

on my side so my back is to her. I know she’s trying to watch out for me, but it’s also annoying how she’s trying to tell me what to do. Not that I want to go anywhere right now. I feel terrible. It’s

knowing Mom is still standing in my bedroom.

“Could you ask him to come see me?

want him to do

“Of course. '

smiles. “I'll let him know. And I’ m going to call your doctor's office and see if we can get

“Thanks Mom. '

once more, almost drifting off to sleep when I hear my brother stomp into my room. You could never call Ryan subtle, let me tell you. “What’s up? Mom says you

crack open my eyes to find him watching me, concern filling his gaze. “My throat is sore. Mom thinks I have

steps back.