Chapter 1 001

Riley's POV

“Watch it, fatty!"

Easton, the quarterback star of our school words cut through the noisy hallway like a knife behind me. Then he walked up to me, his tall body towering over me, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he leaned in close and said, "I said watch it, Riley, or are you deaf?" He snorted, pushing me aside like I was in his way.

Behind him, Cass, his ex-girlfriend who is also our classmate with her cheer squad, laughed and blocked my way to the lockers. They stuck out their feet, making it impossible for me to get past with my heavy bag on my shoulder. I tripped and fell into Cass's waiting shove, which hit me hard on the cold metal door. This made everyone laugh even more.

“Not again today.” I said to myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

They took pictures of my red cheeks and curvy body with their phones, whispering mean words about how I looked too big for my hoodie. I could hear the clicks of their phone like tiny explosions.

Blake, one of Easton's friends on his football team, chuckled from the side, and his sneaky grin made my chest hurt more and I couldn't get the pain out of my chest. I bit my lip hard to stop tears from rolling down my cheeks, my heart beating fast as I pushed away from the locker and hurried down the hall, their laughs following me like shadows.

“Bear it Riley, don't give them what they are looking for,” I muttered to myself.

The bell rang out loud, signaling class time, but their words still cling to me like gum on my shoe. I slipped into my seat just as the teacher started talking, my hands shaking a little as I pulled out my notebook, trying to focus on the lesson instead of the hot shame that was burning my face.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket during the class, vibrating on my leg like an angry bee, I couldn't ignore it. So I snuck a peek under the desk and saw a hospital's number on the screen. My stomach dropped, and I couldn't pay attention to the teacher because I was worried about why the hospital would call me in the middle of school.

I raised my hand quickly, making excuses about feeling sick, and rushed out the door before the teacher could say no, my feet banging the floor as I ran toward the exit.

The air outside was cool and fresh, but as I answered the call on my way to the bus stop, fear gripped me more.

"Miss Harper? This is Nurse Lee from Havenwood General hospital—your mom passed out at work and we're treating her now," the voice said calmly but serious, making my world spin.

I rushed into the bus with the phone in my hand and asked the nurse how bad it was and if she was okay, but the nurse only said to come quickly. Tears filled my eyes, blurring my view as the bus took off, my mind filled with thoughts of Mom's tired smile after long shifts, and I whispered to myself that she had to be fine.

At the hospital, I burst through the doors, the smell of clean soap and sick people hitting me like a wave. I met a doctor in the waiting room. He was wearing a clean white coat.

“You must be Riley,” he said upon seeing me.

I nodded. “Yes I am, how is my mum holding up?” I asked, anxiety filled my voice.

“I'm Dr. Aris. Mrs. Harper is stable now, but your mother's collapse wasn't just because of exhaustion. She is suffering from what we call Critical Aortic Stenosis. She's been managing the symptoms with drugs but the overwork pushed her heart past the drug capacity. She passed out because her brain didn't get enough oxygen.”

“What?” I exclaimed in disbelief. “So all these drugs she has been taking for a while now weren't a painkiller.”

“Yes. Maybe she doesn't want you to be worried about her.”

The room spun and my legs gave out as my brain tried to process what I just heard. The doctor caught me in time.

“I understand that this came as a shock but we have to perform a surgery to replace the valve. Without the surgery she can go into sudden cardiac arrest and that could be deadly. I hope you understand what I mean.”

“Yes, thank you doctor, how much are we talking about here?”

“$80,000.”

“$80,000?” I repeated, the words sounding louder.

“Yes, for more inquiries you can talk to nurses at the reception.”

Before I could say another word, the doctor bowed his head and left, leaving me to my dilemma.

Without hesitation, I rushed and entered the ward where my mother was and sat beside her bed, holding her hand that felt too cold, watching her sleep with tubes in her arm, my chest aching with fear. Even though my mom worked her ass off everyday, her savings was not enough for the surgery fee.

Mom stared up a little, her eyes widely open, and she squeezed my hand weak but loving.

"Riley, sweetie, don't worry I'll be back on my feet soon," she whispered, her voice soft, but I saw the worry lines on her face that she tried to hide.

I nodded, pretending to play along with her pretense and promised I'd take care of things while she rested. She nodded, closing her eyes again, and I felt a strong urge in my stomach to save her, no matter what it took.

Seeing she was asleep again, I left the ward quietly and went to the reception. I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through job ads, my hands shaking hoping to find something quick and easy. But most of the jobs were for grown-ups or qualifications I didn't have.

I was about to give up when a job caught my eye—a live-in babysitter needed right away for a little girl, with accomodation and pay included. It looked perfect for my money troubles, so I read the details quickly, ignoring the feeling I had that I shouldn't leave Mom alone at night. I tapped the number provided under the ad, my heart beating fast like I was about to write a big test as the number rang, hoping this could save us.

“Please God let this work out.” I pleaded.

As the line went through, a woman's voice answered, cheerful and warm.

"Hello, Caldwell residence—how may I help you?" she said, making me sit up straight in the hard chair.

I explained I saw the ad concerning a babysitter needed and I could start soon, my words coming out in a rush.

She asked me how old I was and why I wanted the job, and I told her about Mom's sickness, hoping that would convince her enough to offer me the job.

“You sound perfect for the job. Send your details to this number, I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

I thanked the woman, promising to do that immediately when the call was over but then she said something that made me froze.

"Oh, less I forget, you won't be staying alone with the baby. She has an older brother, his name is Easton. I hope you don't have any problem with that?” she asked casually, like it was no big deal.

My breath caught, the name hitting me like a punch, and I gripped the phone tighter. Could it be the same Easton Caldwell, my worst bully in school?

The line went dead for a second, and her voice jolted me back to reality, but before I could answer, I heard a door slam in the background, and a boy's voice yelled angrily.

“Mum, what do yo

u mean you and dad are traveling again.”

Indeed, it was Easton's voice, clear as day.