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My face is so swollen I can hardly see through my puffy eyes.
“Good thing they expelled him, or he’d have heck to pay,” Mom seethes as she clutches the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turn white. We just left the hospital, where the doctors reassured my mom over and over that I’m okay. Nothing is broken, my nose is intact, and I’ll have this swollen face for a few days.
I groan as I press the ice pack to my face. “I’m okay, Mom.”
She glances at me before focusing back on the road. “You don’t have to try to be brave, honey. I know you’re in a lot of pain, but we’ll go home and you’ll snuggle up in bed with a good book or movie and focus on getting better.”
“Okay.” I stare out the window as I continue pressing the ice to my face. I can’t get what happened out of my head.
“I’m proud of you,” Mom says. “I’m not happy that happened, of course, but I’m glad you were there for Chloe.”
I nod. I don’t really care how beaten up I am—all that matters is that Chloe is okay. When I saw that jerk Topher shove her to the floor, I felt like I lost my mind. The thought of something terrible happening to Chloe, or to Lily, or Evie, or the others….I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’d let myself get beaten up over and over if it meant my friends and sisters were safe.
But at the same time….why aren’t I strong enough to defend the people I care about? What would have happened if Principal Nakamura hadn’t stopped Topher?
“Talk to me, Liam,” Mom says, almost desperately. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
She must sense that I don’t want to talk about it because she reaches for my hand and clasps it in hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
We reach our house and get out of the car. My vision is still a little blurry, so Mom guides me into the house. As soon as we walk in, Dad, Lily, and Evie, who are all gathered in the kitchen, rush over to us. Dad wanted to come to the school when he heard what happened, but he was at work. He’s trying to find four siblings a good home.
Lily’s eyes are wide with tears as she stares at my face. She tries to blink them away.
“I’m okay,” I reassure her, trying to smile, but my face is way too swollen. Her shoulders relax, though she still looks worried.
“Dude, you look like crap,” Evie says.
Mom gives her a look. “Evie.”
“Sorry. Was just trying to make him feel better by teasing him. Unless you want us to treat you differently, sibling one?”
“No. You’re right.” My eyes scan my family, who can’t take their gazes off me. “Please stop looking at me like I’ll shatter into pieces any minute. I’m fine. Just have this pounding headache.”
Dad gently folds his arms around me. “I’m so glad and relieved you’re okay, Liam.”
Even though he’s making this a bigger deal than it is, I let him take a few moments to reassure himself that I’m in one piece. Things could have gone much worse than they had, and I know Dad wouldn’t be able to handle losing me.
“If anyone’s up for lasagna tonight, I can whip it up real quick,” I say.
Dad places his hands on my shoulders. “The last thing you should be worrying about is making us dinner. Your mother and I want you to take it easy for a few days so you can heal.”
I can’tnotbe in the kitchen—it’s the best distraction—but maybe he’s right. Straining myself over a hot stove is probably not a good idea right now.
Lily follows me upstairs to my room, as if she thinks I’ll vanish if she leaves my side. I’m grateful that everyone cares, but I just want to lie down and forget that I’m so pathetic I couldn’t properly defend my best friend.
Lily drops down on my desk chair while I slowly stretch myself out on my bed. Man, all my limbs ache.
“So…” Lily says.
I turn my head to her.
“Need more ice?” she asks.
I shake my head. “I’m okay, thanks.”
