Page 37 of Cloudless

ALWAYS

KAM

My phone screen fades to black to reveal a deep groove between my eyebrows reflected on the dark screen. My fingers drum an erratic beat on my desk that mimics my heartbeat as I glance at the door once again.

Come on, Sunshine. Where are you?

I unlock my phone to reread my unanswered good morning text as Professor Mills takes his place at the podium. “Morning, everyone. I hope you all successfully submitted your group projects last night with no issues.”

I lean back in my seat as his voice fades into a distant hum. Worry strangles my heart like a vice as the worst possible scenarios race through my mind.

Did something happen to the twins?

Did she get in a car accident?

Did CO2 fill their house while they were sleeping?

Sweat beads on my brow as I try to convince myself I’m being an idiot.

I’m sure she’s just running late. There’s nothing to worry about.

Except I can’t shake this overwhelming feeling that something is just… wrong .

I abandon my seat and my heart by my feet as my phone shows an incoming call from Lila’s number. Surprisingly, I remember to grab my notebook before I race from the classroom without a backwards glance.

My fingers fumble against my screen in my haste to answer her call. The classroom doors closing behind me cut off Professor Mills’ words to be replaced by the welcome silence of the hallway.

I let out a sigh of relief as my back molds to the wall just outside the doors. “You had me worried, Sunshine. I thought something happened to you.”

“Kam?”

My back straightens as surprise flashes through me. “Jasper?” I’m thankful for my long legs as they carry me toward the parking lot at top speed. “What’s wrong? Where’s Lila?”

The worry coating his voice has my legs pumping faster. “She’s sick.”

I fight to keep my voice calm as the overwhelming need to just be there takes hold. “What do you mean, she’s sick? What’s wrong with her?”

“Her forehead is really hot, and she won't wake up.”

Worry like I’ve never known before rushes through me like hot lava as I burst through the doors and into the sunshine.

“Don’t hang up, Jasper. I’m on my way, okay?

” My fingers fumble in my pocket as I search for my keys, not wanting to waste time fumbling with the button on the door handle to unlock my car. “How long has she been like this?”

I hear the uncertainty in his voice that I wish so badly I could take away. “I don’t know. She said she had a headache last night before she went to bed. Her alarm woke us up this morning, and when she didn’t turn it off right away like normal, I got worried.”

My voice portrays a sense of calm I certainly don’t feel as the parking lot comes into view. “It’s okay, Tank. Everything's going to be alright.” Please don’t let me be lying to him.

“Okay.” The tears threatening his voice almost make me crumble.

I can’t hold back the sigh of relief as I lock eyes on my Tahoe. “I’m getting in my car right now, Tank.” The sound of my door slamming shut doesn’t register as I struggle with my seatbelt.

Music blasts through the speakers as soon as I press the button to start the engine.

I slam my palm down on the knob with more force than necessary.

My hand is surprisingly steady as I switch the call to speakerphone.

The phone lands in the cupholder with a solid thunk as I try to control my breathing. “You still with me, Tank?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

I flick my emergency lights on and clench my teeth as I back out of the parking spot. “Good. I’m leaving campus now. I’ll be there in three minutes. Go to the living room window and watch for me to pull up. Do not open the door until I get there.”

“Okay.” His voice quiets as he pulls away from the phone. “I’m going to go watch for Kam.”

I curse under my breath as I realize I forgot about one very important person. “How’s Posey doing?”

The echo of his footsteps reaches my ears as I speed through a green light. “She’s okay. Just worried about Lulu.”

“I know, Tank. I can see your street. Are you by the living room window?”

I hear a rustling on his end that I would bet is the living room curtains. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“Good. Go ahead and unlock the door for me.”

Lila’s red car comes into view at the end of the street as I hear Jasper unlock the door. “It’s open.”

I pull in her driveway at an angle, not even taking the time to straighten the tires. Thankfully, I still have enough brain cells to remember to put the car in park and turn it off. I end the call and slip my phone in my pocket as I slam the car door behind me.

Jasper’s blue eyes peek around the curtain with the phone still to his ear. My sneakers dig into the pavement as I pump my legs. The doorknob is warm against my palm from the morning sun despite the chill in the air as I twist the metal with a crushing force.

Birdsong and the sound of distant cars fades as I close the door behind me. As soon as the latch clicks shut, Jasper’s arms are around my waist as he buries his face against my stomach. “Thank you for answering my call.”

Without a second thought, I bend down and scoop him into my arms. “Always, Tank.”

I move toward her room with him clutching my neck. My breath stalls in my chest as his fingers dig into the hair at the nape of my neck as I enter her room.

Posey’s sad eyes meet mine as she looks over her shoulder from her spot on the bed next to her sister. The worry melts from her shoulders as her eyes light up. “Hi, Kam.”

I force a smile onto my face as I sit Jasper on his feet at the foot of the bed. “Hey, Rosie Posey.”

My breath stutters in my chest as I take in Lila’s sweat soaked brow and pale skin. I inch toward her as I count her breaths. The relief that floods my chest is immediate when I realize her breathing is normal.

A soft yellow rug provides cushioning for my knees as I kneel next to her. My voice is soft as I place the back of my hand against her forehead. “Hi, Sunshine.” A crease forms between her brows as she tilts her head closer to me. “I’m here now. You’re going to be okay.”

I run through the possibilities in my mind as I take her pulse. She was fine when we left the rink last night, so this came on fast, whatever it is. Her pulse is normal, which is a great sign.

I perform the skin turgor test on the back of her hand to check for dehydration. Her skin takes a second and a half to return to normal.

Did I see her drink any water last night?

No. I don’t think I did.

“Damn it, Lila.”

I jump as Posey’s voice registers. “That’s a dollar for the swear jar, Kam.”

A reluctant smile forms on my face despite the worry still coursing through my veins. I force myself to move away from Lila, even though that’s the last thing in the world I want to do. “Okay, I’ve got a job for you guys. Are you ready?”

Their eyes light up as they nod their heads.

“I need you guys to go get ready for school while I make a few phone calls. Can you do that real fast for me?”

Their hesitant eyes roam over their sister before they fly from the room as I pull my phone from my pocket and dial my sister's number.

Her cheery voice sounds from the other end after two rings. “Hey, little brother.”

“Ellie, I need your help.”

Without a pause, she replies. “What do you need?”