Page 12 of Styx & Stones

@zedatwoodsbellybuttonlint: Yeah. I hear you. I decided to skip it this time around. Met an OK kid once. We hung out a lot. It kind of helped having someone to talk to about cancer stuff.

@alaskasaerosoladdiction: Really? Do you still stay in touch?

@zedatwoodsbellybuttonlint: No. He died.

@alaskasaerosoladdiction: Oh. ?

@zedatwoodsbellybuttonlint: Yeah.

@alaskasaerosoladdiction: Soz.

@zedatwoodsbellybuttonlint: It’s cool.

@alaskasaerosoladdiction: So, see you ’round?

@zedatwoodsbellybuttonlint: Sure. SYS.

I close the app and smile like a dick. Then I check the time on my phone and launch myself off the bed. “Mom?”

She bursts through the door in a robe with a towel over her head. There are suds on her face, like she was just washing it. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Can you drive me to the hospital?”

“What’s the matter?” She races toward me and places her hand on my forehead. “You’re not burning up.”

“I’m not sick, Mom.” I shove her hand away and roll my eyes, throwing on my hoodie and chucks. “I have group.”

“Oh my God.” She lets out an exasperated sigh and holds her hand to her chest. “You gave me a heart attack. I thought there was an emergency.”

“There is. I gotta get to group.”

Mom shakes her head. “I thought you weren’t going this time?”

I shrug, ignoring the way she studies me. “I am.”

“Okay, just give me five minutes.”

“We’re gonna be late.”

“Styx, I can’t go in my bathrobe. I have cleanser on my face, and a casserole in the oven.”

“Fine. I’ll drive myself.”

“No. Not on your life. I’ve seen the way you drive.”

“Dad lets me drive.”

“Your dad is just as bad a driver as you are. Why do you think he rides everywhere in the city?”

I shake my head and brush past. “I’ll wait in the car.”