Page 100 of Let's Pretend I'm Okay

“I bet she misses you too.”

“She hates me right now,” she says. “She still won’t talk to me.”

“Have you tried—”

“I’ve tried everything,” she cries.

My heart swells. I want to brush her hair back to get it out of her beautiful eyes, but I know better. “It will get better.”

“How do you know?”

If I’ve learned anything, when Margo sets her mind on something, it happens. The universe bends to whatever she wants. As it should. “Because I know you.”

She starts to smile when red blood drips onto her upper lip.

My heart drops like a brick.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

I know Margo is sick, but I’ve never seen any proof until now. “You’re bleeding.”

She catches her breath and touches her face. When she pulls her hand back, her fingers are spotted with blood.

She covers her nose and rushes back inside, racing down the hallway.

“Margo, wait!” I chase after her to make sure she’s okay. I’m not about to make her deal with this alone.

She’s about to barge through the bathroom door when it opens from the other side.

I slow to a stop when I see Annie standing in front of Margo. Her face drains, and she pulls Margo into the bathroom, leaving me outside.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

MARGO

Annie pulls me into the bathroom and over to the sink. She grabs a handful of paper towels, wets them, and hands me the wad, and I cover my nose again.

“It’s all over you,” Annie says, taking my free hand to wipe it clean. “How are you feeling? Do you need to sit down?” She touches my forehead, searching for a fever.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, hoping the pressure will stop the bleeding. My head feels light, and I grasp the sink.

Annie holds on to me. She might be upset, but there isn’t an ounce of anger in her eyes, only concern. “I think you need to see the nurse.”

“I’ll be fine. The bleeding will stop. It always does eventually.”

Annie pauses. “Don’t tell me this has been happening a lot.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

She shakes her head. “Come with me,” she says, marching me right out of the bathroom.

Daniel, who’s sitting on the floor, hops up. “Are youokay?” He comes to my side and places shaky hands on my shoulders.

“Help me get her up to the nurse’s office,” Annie says.

With one hand on the small of my back and the other steadying my arm, Daniel moves. Annie is still on the other side, and together we make slow steps forward.

I hate the looks I’m getting from everyone. I wanted to avoid these looks. I was already known as the sick girl here once; I don’t want to be known as that again. I’m so much more than that. It’s not how I want to be remembered. Thankfully, the warning bell rings throughout the hallway and most of the kids run off to class.

---