Disclaimer: I own nothing and no-one.

At last I arrived at Summer's house. I knocked on the door, but her mom answered.
"Oh, hello, Katie dear. I'm sorry, but Summer's not in right now. She mentioned something about a business meeting...? I think she might have gone over to Mr. Finn's apartment. I'll call her if you like."
"No, it's okay, Mrs. Hathaway. I'll see her at school tomorrow, anyway."
After Summer's mom closed the door, I realized there was no longer any place where I was always welcome. I realized there was no such thing. I decided to go home.

----------------------------------------The Next Day, At School------------- --------------------

Algebra, I thought. Always good for a nap. I slumped down in my chair, and rested my head on my arms.
A bolt of pain shot through me, and I jolted upright. I could feel the tears beginning to fall.
"Katie!" said the teacher. "Is something wrong?"
"No, Miss..." I trailed off.
"Well then, Katie." Said the teacher. "I think you'd better sit outside, then."
The tears began to pour down my face. I didn't usually cry, but then the cuts weren't usually this deep. I walked outside, pulling on the long sleeves of my top, so no-one else could see the bandages. Summer and Marta had already noticed, and I'd told them the same story, I'd been riding my bike and fallen off. I'd landed on some glass. My doctor thought that, my friends thought that, my family thought that...only my mom and I knew the truth.
But I'd heard it so many times; I was starting to believe it, too.
I rested my head on my knees, and began to drift off again...
...!
The door to the nurse's office was right opposite where I was sat, and as I listened, I heard the nurse say the same two words.
"Freddy Jones."
I listened intently.
"Your mother sent you back today, she said you're feeling better and that she thinks you're well enough to go back to school. Do you agree with her?"
"No, I think I need to have a few more days off."
As I listened, I couldn't help smiling. Typical Freddy, always trying to have as little as possible time at school.
"Well, I agree with your mother, so I think you had better get to your first class, which is?"
Algebra! I realized with a shock. Freddy Jones has Algebra first lesson! Which means that he was going to have to go right in this door next to me! I hunched down even further, and folded my arms over my head. I didn't want him to see me when I had been crying. I'd never seen him like that, and I didn't want him to see me like this. I heard the door swing closed, and I heard his footsteps getting closer, closer, yes! They'd gone past, into the classroom. I sat up, trying to hear what was going on.
"Freddy Jones." Said the teacher. "Late as usual. I'm not listening to your many excuses this time. Out!"
"But miss!" said Freddy.
"Out!" yelled the teacher.
"Okay, okay." I heard him muttering under his breath. I hunched up again, waiting for the moment when he would come out of the classroom and be sure to see me.