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, '

Easton. “Talk to

babe. Love you.

back, ending the call. Mom might flip out if she heard me say that. She doesn’t even know

my room, her hands going to her hips.

nod, tucking the covers up under

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

have

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 getting out more and enjoying your

have gone to the lake with your brother and his

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

rest and

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

“Okay. '

nod, hating how heavy my lids feel all of a sudden. “You're going to take it easy this week. No going

“Fine. '

“And you're staying home this

Mom continues. “Whatever, '

watch out for me, but it’s also annoying how she’s trying to tell me what to

croak, knowing Mom is still standing in my bedroom.

ask him to come

back over so I'm facing her. “I want him to do something for me at school today.

“Of course. '

call your doctor's office and see if

“Thanks Mom. '

room and I close my eyes 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.

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

steps back. “Don’t want