Chapter 5
Only a few minutes after I'd woken up, I heard an apprehensive knock on my bedroom door, and then it cracked open to reveal my mother. She glanced in cautiously, and once she saw that I was awake, she
pushed the door open fully and walked in. "I know you said that you didn't want to go to the graduation ceremony, but I thought I'd ask you again, just to make sure." The way she spoke and acted reminded me
of someone approaching a frightened animal. For a moment I wondered just what kind of hell I'd been putting her through for the past three months. I sat up and smiled in a way that I hoped would be
reassuring. "Yeah, actually I think I have changed my mind. I think I would like to go." My mother's eyes widened when I smiled and she looked shocked at my response. Slowly she schooled her features into an
expression that I guess was supposed to be free of confusion and worry but didn't quite manage. "Well… good. I'm glad you've decided to go. Um… do you need a ride?" I checked the clock beside my bed and
decided that I could still catch John if I called. "No, I don't think so. I'm going to give John a call and see if he can give me a ride." My mom nodded slowly, eyes wary. "Okay… Let me know if your plans change…" I
smiled again, the feeling felt weird. "Okay mom." After a moment of awkward silence my mom slowly left the room. I saw her shaking her head as if to clear it as she walked down the hall toward the stairs. As
soon as she was gone, I stood up and closed my door. I picked up my cell phone from the dresser and turned it on, hoping there was still battery power left. I couldn't remember the last time I'd charged it.
Luckily, half the battery was still there. I scrolled through my contact list until I found Johns number. I pressed talk and waited. Three rings later John's voice came through the speaker. "Clara?" He sounded more
shocked then my mom had. "Hey John." I didn't really know what to say. What does a person say to their friend after not speaking to them for three months? "Hi," His voice turned cautious, "What's up? Are you
okay?" I laughed quietly, "Yeah I'm doing good. I was wondering if I could get a ride with you to the school for the graduation ceremony?" It was quiet for a moment and then John spoke again. "Sure." He actually
did sound happy that I had asked. "I can't believe you're actually coming. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?" I smiled for the third time that morning. "Yeah. Thanks." "Anytime," John replied and hung up. I
graved a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt on my way to the shower. Ten minutes later I had finished my shower, brushed my teeth, combed and dried my hair, and was dressed. I glanced in the mirror just before I
left the bathroom and realized the shirt I had graved was Matt's old soccer jersey. I thought about changing, but decided it was fitting that he be represented at his graduation and headed downstairs. My mom
met me at the front door. She still seemed to be walking on a tightrope, but I understood that my sudden change of attitude probably scared her more than my usual silence. She handed me a napkin with a bagel
wrapped in it. "I thought you might want some breakfast before you left." She said, her tone portraying that she was unsure. I reached out and took the bagel. "Thanks mom," I hugged her and then opened the
door and walked out. John was just pulling in. I glanced back at my mom as I climbed into John's truck and grinned. She was still standing where I'd left her, a completely bewildered expression on her face. I
buckled myself in and then looked at John, "You ready?" I asked him.