The Boy across the Street

For some reason, I woke up with a throbbing headache. I'm sure staying up late almost every night is starting to take a toll on me. Yesterday, or more appropriately, this dawn, I was watching Love Island, a reality TV show, and I just couldn't stop. It's basically about a group of women and men who partner up and participate in a series of tasks. They keep on swapping until they meet the love of their life, or so they claim. I had missed about four episodes and had to catch up. I think it was almost 2 am when I finally finished and decided to sleep.

I don't think I'll be able to go to school today. No, let me rephrase that: I don't want to go to school today. After all, it's a Friday, there's no harm in starting my weekend early. It certainly wouldn't make a difference, would it?

I went downstairs to inform my dad about my illness. I met him having breakfast - scrambled eggs with a cup of coffee. He was preparing to leave for work, I suppose.

My mom had left for the hospital already. She was on morning shift today.

"Good morning Dad", I greeted

"Morning sweetie. Why aren't you dressed yet?"

"Dad, the thing is, I woke up with a very bad headache. I don't think I'll be able to make it to school today." He raised an eyebrow.

Oh God, I hope he doesn't think I'm just making up an excuse not to go to school.

Come to think of it, the excuse presented itself to me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes dad, I'm really not feeling well."

"So in other words, you're saying you want to skip school."

I crossed my fingers.

"I don't see any problem."

Yes! See why I love this man?

"It is a Friday after all. I'll let your mom know", he continued

Oh no. The last thing I want is my mom stressing over a minor headache.

"No, dad. There's really no need to tell her. It's just a slight headache and I don't want her worrying about me"

"Kayra, she's your mother. She has to at least know why you are not going to school."

"Okay fine. You can tell her."

"I will."

He had put his empty mug and the plate that had the now devoured eggs in the dishwasher and grabbed his car keys.

"I'm leaving now. Get some rest. There's some painkiller in the drawer in our room. Take some after you have your breakfast. Call me if you need anything. "

"Okay. Thanks Dad. Have a great day at work."

"Thanks dear. And get well soon"

I went back to my room to continue my sleeping. My phone was ringing when I entered the room. It was Stephanie.

"Hey Steph."

"Kayra, where are you? I had to make up an excuse to come to the bathroom in the middle of homeroom to call you. You know you're extremely late, right?"

"Steph, I'm not coming to school today".

"Why not?"

"I woke up sick."

"Oh really. Because knowing you, you're capable of making up anything to skip school."

"Oh come on Steph. I'm really sick. I have a splitting headache."

"So you won't come to school?"

"No, I won't. So take all the assignments, if any are given, for me, okay?"

"But I'm not in all your classes today."

"Oh yeah, true. Then ask Olivia, I think she's in all my classes on Fridays."

"Oh okay. Get well soon then, Kay"

"Thanks. Tell Gale I said hi."

She giggled, "I'll tell him."

"Bye"

"Bye." She hanged up and I hit my bed.

I think I slept for almost four hours because when I woke up, it was almost midday.

I decided to take my bath. After freshening up, I noticed my phone screen had lit up.

Four missed calls from my mom.

I called her back and she answered on the second ring.

"Hey Mom."

"Kayra, your dad told me you were sick and you skipped school."

"Yeah but it's just a headache, Mom. You don't need worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes mom"

" Alright then. Take care of yourself. I'm a little busy."

"Don't worry."

"Bye"

After the call. I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, and take the medicine. There was still a slight pain in my head. I burnt my hand while heating the water.

Classic clumsy Kayra

I huffed to myself because well, there was no one else in the room.

I put my hand under the tap to reduce the burning sensation and drank the coffee. I felt a lot better afterwards.

I washed the mug when I was done with the coffee and placed it back in the cupboard I took it from. When I was sure I had cleaned up every mess I had made in the kitchen, I went to the living room, made myself comfortable on the couch and switched on the television. I must have dozed off because the next thing I heard was someone barging in.

It was Stephanie.

" Kay, how are you doing now?"

"A lot better",I smiled. "Come, sit. Why are you standing there?"

She joined me on the couch.

"Where are my assignments?"

"You just have one, chemistry."

Uggh! But it's good since it was a weekend and just one homework.

"Oh okay. Thanks. How was school?"

"You wouldn't believe what happened in school today."

"Justin Timberlake came to perform?"

"Whoa Kayra, relax." She laughed and I joined in.

"Okay tell me then"

"After lunch, there was a teachers' meeting so there was no teacher during life skills period."

"The period I have with you?" She nodded. "Oh why do I always miss the free periods?!"

"That's not all."

"Oh really"

"Yup. The boys started this beat boxing competition which turned into a rap competition. The whole class was on fire. You wouldn't believe it was actually our class."

"And I missed it? It just had to happen today of all days, when I didnt go to school"

"I guess that's your luck."

I sighed. "You can help yourself to anything in the fridge"

"Have you eaten?"

"No. I'm not hungry."

"Since morning?"

"I had some coffee."

"Let me see what's in the fridge." She got up to go to the kitchen. "There's cake!" She screamed."Oh and leftover noodles. Let me microwave that for you. "

She poked her head out the door, and I gave her a thumbs up.

Just then, my mom came home. I could tell she was exhausted so when she asked how I was doing, I told her I was fine and she should go and rest. There was no need to worry about me.

After eating, Stephanie and I talked for a while about random stuff before she went home.

Since it was a weekend, I didn't feel obliged to do my homework today nor did I feel like studying, I still had Saturday and Sunday to do that. Instead, I made myself comfortable on my bed with my pillows, laptop and headphones and watched a movie. Yes, what I love to do best.

Finally! The weekend