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“No!” I sit up and see Easton’s mom beside me. “No doctors. I feel fine.”
She frowns. “You’re not fine. Your fever isn’t breaking and you can’t stop shivering.”
I notice myself shivering and try to stop, but can’t. I don’t remember ever feeling this sick. How did I get sick? Was it from living in my dad’s disgusting apartment? It was probably that, plus being run down from all the stress of last week.
“I’m fine,” I tell her. “Really. I’m already feeling better.”
“Take these.” She hands me more of the pills like she gave me earlier, along with a glass of orange juice.
“What is it?”
“Pills to bring your fever down. If it’s still this high in the morning, I’m taking you to see a doctor.”
She can’t. I won’t let her. I’ll have to sneak out of here tonight, but where would I go?
Penelope puts her hand on my arm. “I know you’re concerned, but I promise, I won’t tell them your situation.”
I don’t trust her. I want to, because she’s been really nice to me, but we both know I can’t stay here, and I can’t see her being okay with me living on the streets.
“Nova, this could be something more serious than the flu. I’m not going to just sit by and let you get worse.” She points to the glass in my hand. “Try to take some sips. You need to get fluids in you.”
The juice burns my already sore throat, but I drink it anyway and take the pills.
“That’s all I can do.” I hand her the half-empty glass.
“You can try again later.” Penelope sets the glass on the nightstand.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, thinking of what Easton told me about his parents not wanting me in his life.
She smiles slightly. “I’m a mom. This is what moms do.”
“For their kids. Not some stranger. You just met me. You don’t even know me. I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”
“You’re a child,” she says, her smile gone. “You have no one to care for you. I’m not just going to leave you to fend for yourself, especially when you’re sick.”
“I’m not a child. I’m almost 18. And I can stay in my car.” I pause, remembering Ted’s car. It’s still at the park. “My car! They’ll tow it!” I push the covers off me. “I have to go get it!”
“You’re not going anywhere.” She pulls the covers over me. “Easton and I will deal with your car.”
“But—”
“We’ll take care of it. I promise.”
Where’s Easton?” I look around the room for him.
“He’s at his hockey game.”
I look at her. “You missed his game?”
“He didn’t want you being here alone. He asked me to stay.”
“But it’s his first game of the season, and it’s his senior year.”
She smiles. “I’ll go to the next one.”
Her phone rings. She checks to see who’s calling and a worried look comes over her face. “I need to get this. I’ll be right back.” She races out of the room, but I can hear her talking. “Yes, Stephen, I know that, and I don’t need you lecturing me. Easton was fine with it. I’ll be at the next one. Yes, goodbye.”
She comes back in the room, forcing a smile on her face even though she sounded furious on the phone. She’s obviously fighting with her husband, probably because she missed Easton’s game. I’ve only been here a few hours and I’m already causing problems with Easton’s family.
