Page 27 of Glad You Exist

When we getto Kyle’s, it becomes a slightly different story.

It starts a little awkward, with me standing in the hallway while they exchange pleasantries. Kim, being who she is, crosses over to me within seconds and engulfs me in a hug so tight that it almost has me in tears. But luckily Kyle does what he does best and breaks the tension. He lifts me playfully off the floor and twirls me so fast that I almost pass out. Brad has to physically wrangle me out of his hold which earns another five minutes of them bantering back and forth until things settle down to a good and easy rhythm. Too good actually.

It takes me awhile to get them to focus because Kim and Kyle are getting too comfortable in their PDA around us. I nearly have to use tools just to pry their lips and hands off of each other. After I show them what I have already outlined and researched for our individual parts in the project, everyone gets to work.

After a few moments, I raise my head from my laptop to rest my eyes. I glance around the room to check if they were still on track and fight a smile when I see Kyle hunched over on the floor across from me by the couch, deep in concentration. People never give him enough credit. Dude is easily the most popular kid in school, with his easygoing personality and affinity for making everything light and fun. Beyond that, he gets straight A’s, is kind to everyone, and always works hard at everything. Unfortunately, the kids in our school don’t see that. All they see is this star athlete who has led our football team to two straight undefeated seasons. They see the captain of the football team who apparently also has a YouTube channel dedicated to covering his favorite songs.

I shake my head in awe of my friend. I just found out about the YouTube channel today and I can’t help but marvel at his many talents.

Kyle is a freaking triple threat. Looks and talent with a good heart.

My two friends couldn’t be more perfect for each other.

Kim is a catch herself. She just as easily rivals Kyle’s popularity and looks.

And as far as personality goes, she is just as easygoing and lighthearted as her boyfriend. Only difference is she saves that side of her solely for those closest to her. She’s a ball-buster to everyone else and definitely not one to be messed with. I’ve heard stories of girls who quit the cheerleading squad because they were scared of her.

If looks could kill, she would have you on the floor in seconds.

I look above him to where Kim is sitting on the couch. Her mouth is pinched, her laptop between her raised knees as she types up her part of the project. I know Kim struggles with school, and that’s why I pretty much did most of the work for her part because I didn’t want her to stress out about it. I may not know what’s been going on with her for the last three years, but Iknowher. The easier I make it for her, the less pressure she puts on herself. I don’t know if her situation at home improved since we last spoke about it, but life in her family has never been easy. Both her older sisters were overachievers at school, both graduated at the tops of their respective classes. Something Kim wasn’t inclined to do. Her talents lie elsewhere. The need to meet her parents’ expectations gets to her sometimes and the pressure to be a good example for her younger brothers has made it significantly worse for her.

For the third time today, I admire the knit sweater she’s wearing over her dark distressed jeans, knowing my talented seamstress of a friend made it. She shows me the small shop she has on Etsy, selling custom made jewelry. She talks about her dream of starting her own fashion line after graduation. I can’t help but gush and tell her I’d be her first client. Which then launches her into a description of the pieces she will create for me. The unexpected grin that crosses my face gets the attention of Brad, who is sitting on the floor next to me. He nudges me, an eyebrow raised in question. I just shake my head, embarrassed at getting caught and nudge him back. I get back to working on typing out my research.

The nerves never go away for me. I’m still feeling at odds with how well we all just gelled again like nothing ever happened. It’s as if our misunderstandings, our fights, and the confessions we made to each other just a few days ago are nothing but a memory only I carry with me. I really hope I get over this nervous feeling I have around them so I can ask about what’s going on between Kyle and Kim. It looks like it’s getting serious, and I am itching to know the details. The timeline between their breakup and reconciliation is distinctly eating at my Type A-brain. I’m dying to know what happened.

I expel a breath, forcing my focus and attention back into outlining the phone interview I had with my mom’s agent about the importance of diversity in literature.

I become so engrossed that I don’t notice Kyle jumping to his feet and rushing to me in a state of panic.

"Lizzie..." Kyle says, in barely a whisper.

It took a few moments before it registers to me that he’s talking to me. If he wasn't standing so close, I doubt I would have even heard him.

I look up, momentarily distracted by Brad getting up at the same time. Then Kim. Kyle puts his phone in front of Brad like he’s asking for help to explain what’s on it.

I become slightly annoyed but work on schooling my facial expression into something more neutral. We really needed to finish this part of our assignment.

The progress report is due in two days.

A slight frown touches my lips because now Kim is also reading whatever is on Kyle’s phone, her eyes wide in alarm. I’m still in the dark, waiting for someone to clue me in.

"Yes?"

Kyle drops to his knees in front of me and rests his hands gently on my shoulders,

"Aunt Cat is in the hospital. It doesn't sound good. Summer texted me because you weren’t answering your phone. Dan wants me to take you. Right now."

The driveto the hospital is excruciating. My phone had died before the end of the school day, so I couldn’t even see what Summer had texted me or the number of times she attempted to reach me. As soon as Kyle dropped that bomb on me, my brain went on autopilot. I manage to not break down, but I am so out of it that I start walking to the door without a word to anyone. Kim has to hold onto me and direct me to Brad’s car. I didn’t even grab any of my stuff, but thankfully Brad did. He had Kyle drive so he can stay with me in the backseat.

I want to call my mom. Hear her voice. Talk to her. But I know she won’t answer.

I felt it in my gut. There is something terribly wrong with Mom. Dan couldn’t even bring himself to tell me and had Summer try to reach me.

I start to feel the fear and trepidation build up inside me, but I will myself to stay calm.

Brad continues to hover over me protectively, switching back and forth between asking me if I am okay and what he can do for me. I just keep shaking my head in response, hoping he will just leave me alone to my thoughts for now.

Kim, who’s up front in the passenger seat, keeps looking over her shoulder at me. I know she’s trying to catch my eye. I continue to gaze past her and stare ahead.

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