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(XLVI.)

Happy New Year!!! Semester finals are finally over. We've just begun the winter holidays. That means I get more time to write. So, here's a long chapter to begin with. Have fun! ;-)
*****

It was always best to steer clear from trouble. Especially one seeming like a walking volcano.

Doudall had heard the front door slam hard. That was something, considering that the front door was two floors down. When his mom had come to check up on him, she'd confirmed his suspicion that his dad was home. Apparently, Eric wasn't in school and there was no one he could take out his anger on. Doudall was sure that by tomorrow, his anger would've simmered down.

But while it was still brewing, it was best to stay away. He called Dudley's room to make sure he was home and indoors. After making sure his brother had locked his bedroom door, he hopped to his own to lock it.

By evening time, he'd filled several pages of his notebook with ink. He tried not to go through them again. The words there would stir up the feelings that had caused him to write them down.

He'd only met her a few weeks ago. He knew almost nothing about her, besides the facts that she was smart, bold and kinda sassy. To him, it felt wrong to start crushing on Jessica. They were friends. Nothing more.

His phone rang again. When he saw the caller ID, he swallowed. Speak of the devil. He hesitantly picked the phone and tapped 'Answer'.

"Jess?"

"Yeah. Me. How are you?"

He sat up. Glad to hear your voice. "I'm... good."

She huffed into the receiver. "Don't give me typical answers. How are you actually?"

"Well..." He glanced down at his throbbing ankle. "...I'm getting better."

"How much does it hurt?"

The concern in her voice warmed his heart. "Kinda bad." He bit his lower lip briefly. "But it's healing. Thanks to the medication."

Many seconds of silence ticked by before she spoke. "Would your mom let a friend visit?"

"Sure. She doesn't mind." He added a shrug, though she couldn't see it.

"Okay. I'll be at your place later today."

He frowned. "You know my place?"

"Uh-huh?" He could imagine her rolling her eyes at that point. "I didn't forget. Expect me this evening. Take care of yourself. Don't stress the foot much. Okay?"

"Yeah, Mom. Got it."

Her light chuckle wafted into his ear. He smiled.

"Really. I'm serious, Doudall. I know you'd want to act like it's nothing when it's a huge injury. Karen said she saw it, and she told me how bad it is. So, don't pretend that it's something that'd disappear in a day."

"It can."

"I see you have a big faith in miracles."

"Is that a problem?"

"Nope. But it becomes one when you decide to be careless about it." She exhaled deeply. "I gotta go. Miss Drakes will start to wonder why I'm hanging outside class for too long."