Page 17 of Back to Willow

Dylan has been feeling sick for the last two days. And even though Shilah has given me two days off to take care of him, school is trickier.

My body protests against my brain with every step that I make. Or is it the other way around? In the end, I’m at war with myself. The thought of not being able to tend to my baby is making me sick.Physically. My hands are clammy and shaky with nervousness, and my stomach is funny, too, churning heavily more often than not.

Beads of sweat are profusely running down my forehead by the time I get to school. Even if Nana has promised me everything will be alright and that she’ll call me right away if something changes, my head’s not in it today.

Still, the phone stays with me today. Just in case.

Halfway through the day, Nana has already reassured me a ton of times that everything is still the same. I have been glued to the tiny screen all day, worried sick. In the end, it is my downfall.Literally.

My body is knocked down by a sturdy wall, making me fall flat on my ass.

“Is there gold on that screen, Ms Hanlon?” Professor Adell’s voice rings loudly in my ears, warming them—and the rest of my body—with his words alone.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter as I stumble on myself to stand up.

His strong hand grabs my elbow, helping me up. His hold is gone as fast as it was on me, grunting a “watch where you’re going next time” and leaving me here, dumbfounded.

“Good morning, Willow.” I hear Johanna’s voice to my right and see her approaching me.

Right behind her, Ethan and Hazel are walking in my direction, too. Like every other day, Ethan seems happy and good-humoured while Hazel seems to be grunting something at him, an annoyed expression etched on her face. They’re complete opposites but seem to understand and respect each other’s differences.

“Hey, girl,” he greets when the three of them reach me.

“Good morning, everyone,”I greet them all.

Hazel grunts something before turning her attention to her phone, suddenly finding it more interesting than the world around her.

“How are you?” Johanna asks. “You look tired!”

I sigh. “Dylan spent the night with a tummy ache. I barely slept with worry that he would wake up, and we’d have to head to the hospital in the middle of the night. Thankfully, he was better this morning, but he still stayed at home with Nana. But yeah…tired.” I chuckle and she winces.

“Who is Dylan?” Ethan asks, a curious glint in his eyes.

“M-my son,” I stutter.

He breathes out, smiling softly. “Damn, that’s rough. I hope he gets better soon.”

He’s always so kind. I quietly thank him just as Johanna’s words take over the conversation.

“God, I can’t imagine how hard it is. You work, study, and have a son to raise on top of that? Damn, girl, you’re like Wonder Woman.”

A shy smile appears on my face in response those words. As much as I appreciate her praise and admiration, I feel anything but that. Especially considering how everything came to be.

“I am not because if I was, I wouldn’t be tired.” I chuckle.

“Well, if you need anything, just let me know.” She winks at me before extending her arm around my shoulders.

I’m a petite woman in comparison to others. Especially around her fit and taller frame. I’m only five-two and Johanna might be around five-six or more, but it’s enough for her to use my shoulders for support. I don’t mind, though; she might be becoming a good friend to me, or so I hope.

“I second that,” Ethan adds while Hazel keeps ignoring us.

I laugh, thanking them, but Johanna speaks again before I can say more, “Wait! We could schedule a friend’s dinner night at my apartment around next week. What do you guys think?”

“I’m in.” Ethan shrugs, a lazy smile on his face. “Hazel, too.”

“No, I’m not,” she cuts in for the first time, not even glancing up.

“Shut up,” he counters back.

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