When She Left

Everybody rushed in the hallway as the bell rang, signifying time for classes. Laura didn't seem to be in reality. She kept staring at something on her phone as tears found solace on her face.

"No!" she whispered to no one in particular.

"This can't be happening to me.

It can't, it's just not... no!!"

She didn't realize her voice had gotten louder as others began to stare and murmur. Her bag fell from her hand, and her books scattered on the floor.

"Laur?.. You okay?" Nathan asked as he approached her.

One look at her face, which was already washed in tears, and he knew.

What could he do? He couldn't watch her cry like this, yet he couldn't find words to say.

He picked up her bag, arranged her things back, and said the only thing he could think of.

"I'm taking you home."

Laura couldn't say anything but nodded. She wouldn't be able to sit through class now that her whole world had obviously ended. She didn't think she'd ever be the same again... never.

Her world had come to an abrupt end. She hadn't even finished high school. No graduation. Not even eighteen yet. No senior prom. No college. No nothing.

She hadn't started life, but she knew in her heart that her life was about to take a whole new turn.

Humbly, she followed Nathan out the entrance door. He turned back every second to make sure she didn't disappear. Normally, she would have teased him, but not today. Not after the reality that had just dawned.

His car was parked just beside Mr Cheesy as always, and he opened the passenger door for her as always. Nathan was never not a gentleman, and she couldn't help but admire him.

He turned around and got into the driver's seat, and they were soon moving eastward—home.

He turned after about three minutes of silence and said,

"Hey,"

in the calm and charming way he talks. Yet Laura burst into tears and cried loudly.

"Nathan... why is this happening? Please tell me.

The doctors said she was okay on Sunday, and yesterday I went to see her. Dad and me, with little Sasha, James, and Sunny too.

She was all smiles, Nat.

But now dad's telling me things that my head can't decipher.

Mom? Mom!

I want mom, Nathan!

Mom issss...

Mom is... no, it's a dream.

Nat, hit me!

Hit me real hard, Nat!"

Laura lamented as more tears fell down her shirt. She reached out to force Nathan to hit her, but he only held her firmly with his right hand as he carefully maneuvered the car with the other hand, grateful the road wasn't busy.

"Laur, please... I wouldn't!" he said calmly as he gently lowered her hands.

"Laur, please, I want you to just stay calm. Okay? You're a strong and amazing girl, and I want you to understand that. Let's get you home first, and we can talk properly... okay?"

"What's there to talk? What's the use?" Laura said as tears continued to pour.

The next fifteen minutes of the drive were gravely quiet, with only the sound of Laura sulking softly once in a while.

Nathan glanced once in a while to check on Laura's condition, and Laura turned the opposite way each time. He couldn't do anything. He was angry that he couldn't do anything for Laura—his Laur. He was pained for her.

Nothing for Laura made sense anymore. No mom. No Laura. She couldn't do anything without her mom. Mom was her everything.

Now, mom was probably behind a white sheet. Gone.