In the Blink of an Eye

In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter Four

That day after school, Mom decided to go over to the Boltons' for a chat and a catch-up; she and Mrs. Bolton had always been close. Emily decided to go along too, even though Chad had told her that there was basketball practice tonight and she knew Troy wouldn't be home. She hoped she might catch him before she had to leave. She was worried.

The Boltons were a lovely family; Mrs. B had always been like a second mom to Emily growing up, and Mr. B was always warm and encouraging, even inviting her to play with the boys' basketball team to nurture her talent. Emily had really missed them.

"Jenna!" Mrs. Bolton screeched as she opened the door, grabbing Mom in a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, I can't believe you're home. Come in, come in."

She ushered them into the kitchen, bustling about making coffee and putting cookies on a platter, making small talk with Mom as she went. They sat down at the table, sipping the hot beverages gratefully.

"So, how are things here? How's Jack? And Troy?" Mom asked over the rim of her coffee mug.

"Oh, Jack's great. He loves coaching the Wildcats. Of course, it helps that he's as big a kid as the boys!" She gave a short laugh, but then her face fell into a troubled frown. "As for Troy, well to be honest I'm really worried about him Jenna. He just spends so much time in his room, he doesn't eat, he's missing Gabriella so much… He's even quit basketball."

The words hit Emily like a steam train. Any ideas she'd had about Troy being a little upset were replaced in an instant by the undeniable truth that there was something really wrong. "Mrs. Bolton", she said tentatively, her voice barely more than a whisper. "If Troy's not at practice, is he in his room? I mean, could I maybe go up to see him? I didn't get a chance to talk to him at school today…."

"Of course, sweetie, go on up. Maybe it'll do him some good to see you, make him happy again. It's still the same bedroom, at the end of the corridor, OK?"

Emily nodded once and trotted up the stairs, a tremor of apprehension in her stomach. She knocked softly on the wood of the bedroom door. No answer. She knocked again, then opened the door and ventured in.

Troy was in there, sprawled on the bed. He made no movement to indicate that he noticed her. Emily would have thought he was asleep, had she not been able to see his bright blue eyes gazing vacantly at the ceiling.

"H-hi Troy." She wished she didn't sound quite so nervous.

"Hey." His voice was a flat monotone. "Welcome back."

Emily sighed and flopped down on the bed beside him. "Alright, I've had enough of your moodiness. Spill."

Author's note: Next chapter- Troy finally speaks up. Please review!