"Mia's party is gonna be lit! Whoever misses out is a total goofball," a girl said to her friend as they walked toward the cafeteria.
"I hate parties, but I'm not missing this one. I already got my outfit," the second girl said excitedly.
"Me too! I can't wait!"
Riley sighed, standing by her locker as they passed. The party talk had been going on all morning. She didn't get what was so hyped about a party, maybe because she'd never been to one. Either way, she was glad she'd turned down the invitation. She didn't want to deal with any drama.
She leaned against her locker, watching everyone chat and laugh with their friends. Since she started attending this school, everyone treated her like a ghost, avoiding her like she carried the plague. Even during group projects, nobody acknowledged her. Was it really her clothes that made her weird? What was so wrong with dressing comfortably?
"Well, everyone except Lily, Liam, and Jake," she muttered. "Guess they're the only decent ones here."
Her mother's words from that morning still echoed in her head, tightening her chest. It still didn't make sense. She didn't even know what to do anymore.
"Haa…" she sighed, closing her eyes.
"What's got you sighing? Rough day?"
She opened her eyes to see Jake standing there with his usual smile.
"I guess so," she said.
"I see. Something happen in class today? Or did someone say something mean to you?" he asked.
"None of the above. It'll fade off eventually. Bad days come and go," Riley said with a small smile.
Jake studied her face. He could tell there was more to it, but she clearly didn't want to talk. "Why aren't you at the cafeteria? Aren't you hungry?"
Thinking about it, Riley realized she hadn't eaten breakfast. But honestly, she didn't feel like facing the cafeteria crowd right now.
"I'm not that hungry," she said.
Jake eyed her. "You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"If you say so," he said, smiling. "Anyway, the football match is the day after tomorrow. If it's not too much, could you cheer for me? I know you don't talk much, but I really wanna hear your voice."
Riley was caught off guard. She stared at his nervous face and smiled. "It's not a big deal. I'll cheer for you."
Jake grinned. "Thanks! And maybe after that, will you... "
Riley's stomach growled loudly. She laughed awkwardly, embarrassed.
"Looks like you are hungry," Jake said, shaking his head. "Let's go get you something."
"I... "
"Hey, Riley!" Liam shouted, walking toward them with a sandwich in hand.
Riley turned. "Yeah?"
"Here," Liam said, handing the sandwich to her. "Oh hey, Captain," he added, nodding to Jake.
Jake smiled back.
"Why are you giving me a sandwich?" Riley asked, unwrapping it. Her mouth watered at the smell.
Liam chuckled. "Just say thank you and eat it. Don't be stubborn."
"Yeah, your stomach literally growled earlier," Jake teased.
Riley glared at them but took a bite anyway. "Mmh, it's so good," she said, taking another big bite.
"No thank you?" Liam asked, pretending to look offended.
Riley shook her head, still chewing. But halfway through, a strange itch crawled up her throat. She frowned, swallowing hard.
"What the...? "
She coughed once. Then again, harder. Her chest tightened, like something heavy was pressing on it.
"Hey, you okay?" Liam asked.
Jake frowned. "Riley, what's wrong? Are you sick?"
Riley tried to answer, but her voice came out hoarse. "M–my throat…"
Her breathing turned shallow. Her fingers trembled as she slid to the floor.
Jake's eyes widened. He knelt beside her. "Riley! Hey! Someone get help!"
People stared, whispering. Some even laughed, thinking it was a joke.
Riley tried to stand, but her knees gave out. Her chest burned as her airways closed. Her heart pounded. Her vision blurred at the edges.
"Riley, look at me!" Liam's voice broke through the noise as he steadied her. But everything went fuzzy.
---
The clinic fan spun lazily above her. Riley stared at it, her head heavy and throat dry. The nurse said she was stable now. She didn't even know how peanut butter got into the sandwich. She should've noticed but she didn't. She sighed. The day had officially gone from bad to worse.
The door slammed open.
"Riley!"
Emily stormed in, heels clacking loudly, with Lily behind her. "Do you ever think before doing something?"
Riley flinched. "But I...."
"You could've died!" Emily snapped, setting her purse down. "As if your attitude at home wasn't enough, now you go and eat peanut butter? Knowing you're allergic? What are you trying to do,commit suicide?!"
"Mom, calm down, maybe she.."
"Enough, Lily. She didn't what,know? How could she not notice peanut butter?" Emily said, scoffing.
Riley stared at her mother in disbelief, tears stinging her eyes. She couldn't believe her mom was saying all this, blaming her.
The nurse cleared her throat. "Mrs. Harper, please. She needs rest right now, can you.. "
Emily waved her off. "She wouldn't even be here if she didn't do this to herself!"
"It's not my fault," Riley muttered, voice trembling.
"Then whose fault is it?" Emily shot back.
"Mom, please," Lily said, touching her arm. "Just calm down and take her home so she can rest."
Emily sighed heavily. "I don't know what to do with you, Riley. Get up, let's go. I need to get back to work."
"I don't want to go home," Riley mumbled.
Emily turned sharply. "What did you say?"
"I said I don't want to go home!" Riley shouted, tears spilling. "If I go with you, you'll just keep blaming me and yelling at me!"
"Watch your tone. I'm your mother," Emily said coldly.
"Then act like one!" Riley's voice cracked.
The room went silent. The nurse shifted awkwardly, while Lily hid a small smile.
And then...
"I'll act like your mother when you learn to act like my daughter," Emily said icily, grabbing her purse and walking out.
Riley froze. Her eyes widened as tears fell. Her chest tightened. She couldn't believe her mother had said that.
Lily walked up and hugged her. The nurse quietly stepped out, giving them space.
"Don't cry," Lily whispered, stroking her back. "Mom probably didn't mean it. She loves you."
Riley stayed silent, tears still falling.
Lily smirked at the sight of her crying"Please stop crying, Riley. You're making me sad. Don't take what Mom said to heart, okay?"
Riley sniffled. "Why wouldn't I? She's always like this. Why do I have to go through all this because of clothes? Can clothes really ruin a person's life?"
Lily pulled back, wiping her sister's tears. "No, they can't. This is who you are, so don't change for anybody. Mom just got scared of losing you, that's all."
Riley gave her a small smile. Lily always knew what to say. She was her pillar, the one person who always consoles her. "Thank God I have you, Lily."
"Me too," Lily said sweetly. "I have to get back to class, but I'll come get you after school, okay?"
Riley nodded. "Okay."
As Lily left the clinic, her soft smile vanished. "Pathetic," she muttered under her breath. "Makes me sick."
---
Riley lay staring at the ceiling when the door opened again.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Ouch. I came to see you, and that's what I get?" Liam said dramatically.
"Thanks, but how'd you even get here? Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"I told the teacher I had to use the bathroom," he said, grinning. "Had to pretend it was urgent so she'd let me out fast."
Riley laughed weakly. "You're so weird."
"Yeah, but at least I'm not allergic to peanut butter," Liam smirked.
Riley glared at him and threw a pillow at his face.
"Ah! My handsome face!"
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile crept back onto her lips.
"By the way," Liam said, his tone shifting, "why would they put peanut butter in your sandwich, knowing you're allergic?"
Riley blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Lily gave me that sandwich," he said. "Said your mom made it for you since you skipped breakfast but was too busy to bring it herself."
Riley froze. The sandwich did taste like her mom's, but she hadn't thought twice. Why would her mom…?
Her heart sank.