Page 44 of All of You

Miles blinks up at me. “You’re really fucking hot you know that?”

I groan. “Miles, seriously. Have you seen her today?”

“Yeah, had second period with her. She looked awful and didn’t say a damn word. I tried to cheer her up but she just ignored me.” My brow furrows. “Think somethings wrong?”

I shrug.

“Did you do something, Langdon?” Miles asks, his voice rising.

“What? No. Why would ask that?”

He puts a finger to his temple. “Hmm, I don’t know. She comes in looking like a tornado victim, and you’re walking around school asking about her.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Ugh. It’s not like that. I’m just worried. She seemed really fucked up this morning and then she wasn’t at lunch. I’m just worried.”

“I think you forfeited your right to be worried about her at the party.”

“Christ. Would you guys please all just let that go?”

He tilts his head at me. “Performance anxiety? It happens, bro.”

I roll my eyes at him. “You’re useless. Seriously useless.”

“Your girlfriend doesn’t think so.” He winks at me. I stab him with a glare. “Alright, alright. Sorry. She wouldn’t date you anyway. You’re too pretty and aloof.”

I stifle a sigh. “You’re probably right. If you see her, will you just let me know she’s okay?”

“Uh yeah. But I mean, it’s not like we’ve exchanged numbers or anything.”

“Right. Cause she has no cell phone.”But I have Heath’s number. I can call the house. Check up on her.“You’re a geniusMiles.” I tussle his hair.

“I am?” he asks as I head toward the parking lot.

***

Delia’s not at work either.

“It’s a good thing you’re not sick, too,” Viv says.

“Oh, she’s sick?” I ask.

“If Heath says she’s sick I assume she’s sick.” She pulls her mass of silver hair over one shoulder. “Poor kid. Crappy way to start the school year. Now come on. Let’s get goin’.”

Work, although only three hours, feels like an eternity. By the time I get home, Mom’s already got dinner cooking. I drop my bag and kick off my shoes in the mudroom before heading to my room. I dial Heath’s number and wait for him to answer. It rings five times before he picks up.

“Hello?”

“Hey Heath, it’s Langdon.”

“Hey kiddo, what can I do ya for?”

I rake my free hand through my hair. “Um, I was just worried about Delia. Checking in. She wasn’t at work today.”

Heath grunts. “Wasn’t feeling well. Probably won’t be in tomorrow either.”

“Oh. Okay,” I say. A wave of relief hits me.She’s just sick. “Well, um, ok, if she needs anything just holler, I guess. Mom makes good chicken soup.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Night.” Heath hangs up. Which is only slightly weird. He’s not exactly chatty but also isn’t usually so short either. Anderson pops hishead into my room.