The Bright Side of Darkness

Twenty-Two

My energy runs out quickly the next day. But thankfully, I manage to get through school without falling asleep in one of my classes. And when I get home, Lottie makes sure I don't fall asleep there, either.

"I think we may just have enough money for the surgery," Lottie announces as she writes the amount in her stack on a piece of paper. "So far, we have five thousand. Just five thousand more and we're good to go."

I frown, writing down how much is in my stack. Most people know it was a fundraiser for the Perez family, but it still feels wrong somehow. I'm not even sure Lottie's parents will take the money for Tay's surgery. If they don't, this was all for nothing.

"Em." Lottie grasps my hand to stop me. "My parents are proud people, but they ain't afraid to admit when they need help. If the community came together to get this money, they'll accept it. I know they will. They'll do whatever it takes to make Tay happy."

I nod. "Yeah." It feels hollow even to me. Like I don't really mean it.

Lottie sighs and writes another number down. "How was your date with Tay?"

Involuntarily, I smile.

"That good, huh?" Lottie sets her stack of money on my bed and leans on her elbows.

"I didn't think a date with someone like him would be so... amazing." It was just like old times, only supersized now that we're old enough to know what we're actually talking about. We spoke of life and what our plans are for college and jobs. It's refreshing and different than what I imagined a date with him would be like.

Then another memory flashes through my mind. Bits and pieces of water splashing around, running through my hair as I duck under. Soft lips brushing mine...

No. I push the thought away. Now is not the time to think about that.

"Someone like him," Lottie echoes thoughtfully, pulling me away from the images in my mind.

"I didn't mean it in a derogatory way." I rub my temples. "I just meant that he's probably not used to taking it super slow on a date. I don't know if he did it for my benefit or just didn't want to."

Lottie puffs her cheeks, writing down another number. "I think he did it for you."

That's probably true.

"He's a good guy. He deserves this surgery."

Lottie smiles at that and writes down the amount in the last stack. "Is the scavenger hunt all set up?"

Before I can respond, "Dang." Her lips curl down, all traces of her earlier happiness gone. She punches numbers into the calculator quickly. Then again, sighing when she finishes. She squeezes her eyes shut.

I peer up at the bed from my spot on the floor. "What is it?"

"We're a thousand short." She looks down at me to gauge my reaction.