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interrupting a blur of odd and terrifying shapes shifting randomly through his subconscious. He did not remember the specifics of any of his dreams, save some images here and there, but they were just enough to confuse him as he woke up in a strange bed. The alarm rang for ten seconds before he was oriented enough to shut it off. He groaned, remembering where he was, and rolled out of bed.
    He could barely keep his eyes open as he trudged down the hallway. All of his body parts weighed him down, screaming to go back to bed. Brushing his teeth and changing his clothes failed to shake away any of the sleep. The smell from the kitchen did not help either; if anything it smelled worse than dinner.
    “You want some breakfast before you go?” Beth asked from the kitchen table, a big bowl of mush in front of her.
    “Not really hungry,” Cole said. “Let’s just go. Wouldn’t wanna be late,” he added sarcastically.
    “Well I’m still eating so sit down and be quiet until I’m ready.”
    Cole obediently sat at the table and stared down at the floor, tapping his foot impatiently on the chair leg until Beth finished her meal.
    “All right. Come on,” Beth said.
    Cole quietly followed her out the door to the car. The only conversation during the ride consisted of Beth asking when she should pick him up. Cole felt a wave of relief to be free of Beth as he got out of the car, but it proved short-lived. He looked up at the school before him, wishing he was with Beth instead, knowing the day would be filled with questions and curious looks.
    Mrs. Taylor perked up when she caught him entering the room. “Oh, Cole, I heard that your mother was in the hospital, but I didn't hear any details. I've been worried. Is she okay?”
    “Yeah. She’ll be fine. Just staying a few days in the hospital.”
    “Oh, my. Well, how are you?”
    “I’m fine.”
    Mrs. Taylor was left speechless by his abruptness, which Cole took as a cue to sit at his desk.
    “G-good morning everyone,” Mrs. Taylor said. “I have a few announcements…”
    At this point, Cole drifted off until his class was brought into the cafeteria for lunch. Once he had picked up a tray of food, he took his solitary seat at the end of the table. He was lost in a train of thought, mindlessly chewing his sandwich, and did not notice someone approach.
    “Hey, uh, Cole?”
    A large chunk of bread lodged itself in his throat, throwing him into a coughing fit. He grabbed his milk and swallowed huge gulps, trying to free the food. After a long minute he recovered and looked up, embarrassed, to see who had startled him.
    Standing there, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, was the girl who was with the group he had sat with at lunch the other day. Fighting his disdain in an attempt to be the bigger person he said, “Yeah?”
    “Is, uh, can I sit here?”
    Cole could not hide his suspicion. “Um, I guess.” What kind of mean trick is this? What is she doing?
    The girl placed her tray across from Cole and sat down. Cole looked down the table and noticed a sea of eyes upon them. He turned away from them and back to the girl, truly seeing her for the first time. She had shoulder length brown hair, tied back in a pony-tail, and sparkling brown eyes. He did not trust her , but at the same time, he had no idea what to make of the situation.
    “My name is Amy,” she said.
    Cole decided he might as well play along. “I’m Cole.”
    “Hi Cole. You're in my gym class, right? You're pretty good at sports.”
    Cole's cheeks heated up and he prayed his embarrassment wasn't visible. “Thanks. I'm all right, I guess.”
    “So, why weren’t you here yesterday?”
    She was staring him straight in the eye and it made him uncomfortable, a fact he was trying to repress.
    He shifted in his seat, considering whether or not it was prudent to tell her the truth. Why is she being so nonchalant? “My mom was hit by a car and is in the hospital.” Despite his best efforts, his defenses were