Sommerstall Academy
: Chapter 3

Another reason Friday is my favorite day is the fact that we only have one period after lunch. The test with Miss Yeng went well though the throbbing in my shoulder was a bit distracting. I hope it won’t show in my grade or I’ll have to ask for extra credits. That’s another thing that woman doesn’t like.

It’s now eight pm and I’ve been home for five and a half hours. I studied for about three of them and did all my homework but now I have nothing to distract me anymore. Distract me from the fact that something possessed me about fifteen minutes ago and I texted Elija. I TEXTED him. What is wrong with me? We’re not even friends!

I groan and let my forehead fall onto the edge of my desk. I couldn’t text him something normal either. Nope, of course, I had to come across like a psychopath.

Me: So, are you dying?

Me: Oh damn that sounds so bad. I just overheard Jamie at lunch so I figured I’d ask.

Me: I’m not a stalker, I promise.

Seriously, what is wrong with me? Why can’t I be more smooth than that? He’ll probably block me, convinced I’m a complete weirdo.

My phone pings and my head shoots up from my desk.

Elija: Hey Florence

Elija: Yeah, turns out it’s nothing, and dw I’d be concerned if u hadn’t heard it with the way Jamie was yelling.

Elija: How’s your shoulder btw?

Oh

My

God

Suddenly I love my name. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say it and I’m suddenly convinced that should be illegal. I’ll have to hear it from his lips some time.

He answered. I’m getting excited like a kid on Christmas and it’s so embarrassing but I can’t stop grinning. I force myself to wait seven minutes before answering. See that? Self-control at its finest. A round of applause, please.

Me: It’s fine, thanks 🙂

I officially renounce texting. I am way too bad at this. Elija doesn’t seem to cringe as bad as I do because he answers after five minutes.

Elija: U should ice it.

Elija: Gotta go now, have a good night

Me: U too

–

It’s the last period this Tuesday afternoon and I am more than ready to go home. I stayed up late last night since my parents left for their trip and I forgot about the time. They’re enjoying the beach while I enjoy my freedom. That was the plan at least. Turns out gym class isn’t very enjoyable after skipping lunch and working off four hours of sleep. In my defense, I was finishing up a drawing on my iPad and couldn’t put it aside. I finished the book Sky In The Deep on Sunday and it really inspired me. I started off with a simple portrait of a few of the characters before bringing them together. The background took me really long since I just couldn’t seem to get it right. The final result was worth the effort though.

I feel really stupid now. Normally, I know how to be home alone. Practice makes perfect, right? Wrong, apparently, since I made an amateur mistake yesterday.

My parents have always worked a lot but since I turned thirteen four years ago, they’ve been taking more vacations. At first, they checked up on me every day, telling me when to study, eat and go to sleep but that stopped long ago. They trust me more now and usually, that’s well deserved.

I zone back to reality when a softball hits me right on the forehead.

‘Sorry!’ Lynn screams from where she’s standing on the other side of the field. I try to smile and brush her off.

‘Good throw,’ I tell her as I leave the gym. She’s a sweet girl, I don’t want her to feel bad. I really think I need some water though since my surroundings are tilting so I make my way toward the bathroom.

Halfway there I stop short, trying to catch my balance. Not again, I think. It’s no use since the familiar cold and exhaustion starts spreading through me, making my body feel a hundred pounds heavier. Before I black out completely and break my face, I sit down as best as I can. I’m out before the back of my head even hits the floor.