Page 48 of Filthy Savage

“Really? Need I remind you how Sierra died? Hmm?”

“No,” I mutter.

But not everyone’s flu develops into pneumonia, which then kills them. Her best friend from childhood, whom I never met, is why she has become paranoid when people get sick, so I’m willing to go just to appease her. She’s been a great friend. My only friend. I don’t have a way to pay her back for all the times she’s helped me, but I can do this.

“Fine, I’ll go. But only because I love you.”

She grins, her brown hair swinging in her short ponytail.

I hope there’s no copay for this. But of course there will be. I can use Fionn’s money for that, though.

“If you feel better tomorrow, maybe we can do dinner.”

I really don’t want to. I don’t have money to throw away like that, and I don’t want her paying for me like she usually does.

“There are a few new people from school I wanted to introduce you to,” she continues, ignorant to my inner turmoil.

“Why?”

She’s in college, making friends, while I’m here working a shitty job, knowing I’ll never get the opportunity to do the same. I realized long ago that no matter what, my mother would find a way to keep me from going to college.

“Why?” She glares at me like I’ve grown two heads. “What do you mean, why? Because I want us all to be friends.”

“I have you. I don’t need anyone else.”

She rolls her eyes. “Stop your shit. Whenever you feel better, I’ll plan something. You’ll love Lilith and Patricia. They’re cool.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so.” She smacks my knee playfully, blowing a big breath, her expression crestfallen.

“What is it, Em?” I sit up straighter.

“I just…I just hate this for you, you know? You should’ve been in college with me.” She scoffs. “Your mother ruined it all.”

She ruined a lot of things.

Pain hits my chest when I think about Max. He’s still nowhere to be found. We’ve looked at every shelter. Asked every person we can. But there’s still no word.

Tears burn my eyes, but I push them away. I’ll never stop looking for him, but every day, the hope dwindles away.

She pulls up at a clinic, heading in with me. Someone at the front desk checks us in, and we settle in the waiting area. My foot bounces the entire twenty minutes until they’re calling me inside.

“Ms. Edwards,” a nurse greets me. “What brought you here today?”

“I’m nauseous and have been throwing up all day.”

“When did it start?” She types on her tablet, glancing up at me.

“Today. I’m sure I’m fine. Maybe I ate something bad.”

“Can you check her for the flu or strep?” Emily intercepts.

“My throat doesn’t even hurt.” I stare at her, mouthingshut upwhile she rolls her eyes at me.

The nurse laughs. “I’ll let the doctor decide that. She’ll be in to see you in just a moment.”

Once she leaves, I look over at Em. “Seriously? Strep?”

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