Chapter 11
Chase hung up and ran to the couch. His mouth went dry. His sister lay on the couch, convulsing, his mother by her side, brushing her hair out of her face. “Gary! She’s burning up. We need to go to the emergency room!”
His father rushed into the room, pulling his jacket on. “I’m on it.” He grabbed his keys and headed for the front door. “I’ll pull the car out of the garage and come back for her.”
The seizure didn’t last long. She stopped convulsing and lay still.
“Cora? Honey?” His mother tried to get her to respond. Cora stirred and moaned. “Thank goodness,” his mother said under her breath.
His father came back inside and scooped Cora up. Her nightgown hung down as he walked to the door with her.
“I don’t know how late we’ll be,” his mother said. “Just go on to bed and I’ll send you an update when we know something.”
Chase grabbed his jacket, his heart pounding. “No, I want to come with you guys.”
“But it’s late, and you have school tomorrow.” His mother opened the door for his father.
“Do you think I’ll be able to sleep with Cora in the ER?” He followed them outside.
“He’s got a point,” his father said, laying Cora on the back seat of the car. “Let him come.”
His mother climbed into the car. “All right. Get in.”
He slid in next to his sister and rested his hand on her head. She was hot. Too hot. She stuck her thumb in her mouth, something he hadn’t seen her do in over a year. His mother had had a terrible time breaking her of that habit. He didn’t tell his mother she was at it again.
His father drove the car faster than he’d ever seen him drive. They arrived at the hospital in twenty minutes. His father took Cora out of the back seat. They rushed inside.
A nurse helped them get Cora on a bed while his father talked to the people at the front desk. Soon, they whisked his sister away and Chase was left to sit in the waiting area. His mother was allowed to go with Cora, but they didn’t want all of them in the patient area.
He sat on a hard, plastic chair and stared blankly at a television screen. They were showing some news report, but he couldn’t process what they were saying. He tuned it out. His father finished at the desk and joined him in the waiting area. “They’re running tests.”
Chase ran his hand through his hair. “Will she have any damage from the seizure?”
“They don’t usually cause any lasting damage.”
“Does she have epilepsy?”
His father shook his head. “I doubt it. You can have a seizure just from a high fever. We hadn’t realized it had gotten that high.”
Chase shifted. “So she might be fine?”
“Yes. It could just be the flu.”
A beeping sounded somewhere in the back recesses of the hospital, and nurses rushed about. He sat back in his chair. It was going to be a long night, he could tell. His phone chimed, and he pulled it out.
Is everything okay? How is your sister?
We’re at the ER. They are running tests.
So scary. I hope she’s all right.
Me too.
Are you okay?
He leaned forward in his chair. No. He wasn’t okay. He was scared spitless.
Wish you were here.
Me too.
Really?
Yes.
Chase tried to ignore the television droning on in the background. If his mystery girl actually did show up at the hospital, he wouldn’t even know what she looked like. It kind of drove him insane.
What color is your hair?
She didn’t text back right away, and he folded his arms across his chest. She wasn’t ever going to reveal who she was. His phone chimed, and he looked at it.
I can’t tell you.
You mean you won’t. You’re very frustrating.
I’m sorry.
He blew out a breath. It’s okay. I shouldn’t pry. I’m sure you’re tired. It’s late. You should get to bed.
Let me know how she’s doing tomorrow, okay?
Okay. Night, Five.
Night.
Isabella stared at her food, unable to get excited about whatever noodle dish had been slopped onto her tray. At least she thought it was noodles. She poked it with her fork.
It didn’t move. That was good.
Savannah slid onto the seat next to her. “They do serve salad, you know.” She picked up a banana and took a bite.
“I’m not a fan of eating leaves.” She scooped up some glop and nibbled a bit. It looked a lot worse than it tasted. She put the forkful in her mouth. “This isn’t bad.”
Savannah shuttered. “Whatever.”
“I think there’s shredded chicken in it.”
“So you said something about Delilah asking you to go to the game tonight. What’s that about?”
Isabella hesitated, unsure of just what to say. “I honestly don’t know. She said she didn’t want me to hate her forever. I think maybe she feels guilty for treating me so badly. She even hugged me. Then she said I should go to the game with them.”
“Well, are you?”
“I felt bad for her. She cried and everything. I told her I would go.”
Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it out of her pocket.
Savannah leaned over. “Ooh, is that from you-know-who?”
Cora is still in the hospital. They won’t have test results for another day, but she’s stable. They think she’s going to be all right.
“Yes.”
Isabella texted back. I’m glad she’s stable. That’s good.
Are you in the lunchroom? Right now?
Heat crept up her cheeks and she snuck a glance at Chase. He was standing at his table, holding his phone and scanning the room. She shoved her phone in her lap and whispered, “Act natural.”
Savannah leaned closer. “Why? What did he say?”
“He wants to know if I’m in the lunchroom.”
“Just tell him no.”
Isabella forced another bite of her food. “I don’t like lying to him.”
Her phone vibrated again.
Five?
She shoved her phone in her backpack. If he was going to insist on trying to figure out who she was, she’d ignore him.
Savannah nudged her. “Maybe it’s time to meet him face-to-face.”
Isabella glared at her friend. “You’re insane.”
“No. Look.” Savannah pointed to the wall. A large poster hung, announcing the theme for the fall formal. A masquerade. Savannah grinned. “You could go to the dance with him.”
Isabella’s stomach fluttered before she realized that wouldn’t work. “He knows who I am in real life. A little mask around my eyes isn’t going to hide that from him.”
Savannah’s eyes grew shiny, and Isabella knew she was in trouble. “Remember when my mom went through that midlife crisis and bought all those wigs? Most are stupid, but she has this one—gorgeous red, curly hair—it’s perfect for this. With a wig and a mask, he couldn’t possibly tell it was you. Especially without your glasses.”
“Yeah. Except you forget—I’m blind without my glasses.”
“Girl, I know you have contacts.”
“They make my eyes itch.”
Savannah shoved her shoulder. “You didn’t try them long enough. You have to get used to them.”
“I don’t know . . .” Isabella wasn’t sure.
Could she actually go to the dance and wear a mask so Chase wouldn’t know who she was? Her nerves lit up just thinking about it.
“Come on! You have to.” Savannah hugged her shoulders. “He wants to meet you.”
“He thinks I’m some sexy girl. He’d be disappointed.”
“Honey, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You’re not twelve anymore. You’re beautiful. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I don’t have a dress.”
“My blue bridesmaid dress from Mom’s wedding is perfect. It even has matching slippers. You’re about my size. And I’ll make a matching masquerade mask for it.”
Isabella laughed. “Why don’t you go, then?”
“I have no boyfriend.”
Isabella smiled and looked to her lap. “I’ll think about it.”
“Okay. I’ll start making your mask.”
Isabella laughed but didn’t protest. Savannah was going to make her do it, no matter what. It was either a brilliant idea or the biggest mistake she’d ever make.