Mackenzie

Chapter 9

The first day tutoring Tanner was just like I'd expected. He always got on my nerves. I kicked a stone as I walked back home and I thought about dinner. I didn't know what exactly to prepare, I only told mom I'd do it cos I didn't want her doing it. I doubled my steps as I walked. I wanted to get to her on time. I walked up to the front door as I pulled the door open.

"Mom! I'm back!" I announced as I walked in," Mom!"

I didn't get any response. I walked to the kitchen, hoping to see her and mildly scold her about making dinner. I popped my head into the kitchen, but I didn't see her. My heart beat faster as I walked to her room.

"Mom," I called as I entered her room. She wasn't on her bed." Mom." I called again, and was about to go check the other bedroom, but I turned sharply when I heard a sound.. like someone was coughing. Who could it be? It took me some time to realize it was mom. s**t, I wasn't used to this. I briskly walked to the bathroom.

And there she was.

On the floor in the bathroom. Mom was coughing up blood and trying to keep her eyes open.

"Mom!" I cried as I ran to her and knelt beside her. "Mom."

" M-MZ... H-how-"

"Don't," I said, shaking my head as I got up and grabbed a small towel. I ran water as I wet the towel, I cleaned mom's mouth and lifted her, crying.

I took her to her bed as she laid down, and ran to the kitchen as I grabbed a bottle of water and a glass. I ran back to the room and poured her a glass of water. I lifted her up a little and she had some water. She laid back down and immediately her head hit the pillow, her eyes closed.

I sat by her side as I cried. When did things get so bad? Oh, yeah. When dad left, but it wasn't this bad. I needed to get her into a hospital, but where do I get the money from? I don't have enough money, I didn't even have any money! Mom couldn't keep staying home. It wasn't safe.. she needed to be under watch at the hospital, but I had to go to school and I wouldn't be with her everyday. If only we had money. If only I'd left Tanner's house earlier. If I'd been home earlier, I'd be fixing dinner and mom would be in the living room, watching TV, waiting for the food to be ready. Without thinking of having my dinner, I got in the bed beside her as I wrapped my around her waist and cried to sleep.

....................

"Kenzi what's wrong?" Bambi asked me during the ride to school.

"How do I look?" I asked back.

"Like you cried through the night."

I sighed.

"Did you?" Bambi asked as she threw a quick glance at me.

I nodded,"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"It-it was mom."

"What happened this time?"

"She was struggling to breathe and coughing up blood."

"Oh my... Kenzi, let's get mom to a hospital."

"I know, Bambi... I don't have the money."

She sighed, "Can you wait till tomorrow? I'd get some money today and I'd give it to you tomorrow."

"No, no... No, Bambi. I-"

"But we agreed we were gonna look for some way to raise money for her.."

"I wouldn't be able to pay-"

"How many times have I told you about you paying me back? You aren't going to pay me back... Please."

I swallowed, nodding, "Thanks."

.....................

"Ryan," I groaned.

"Please Kenzi," he looked at me intently, "Just take it."

"No." I told Ryan what happened with mom and now, he was trying to force some money into my hands.

"C'mon.. take it."

I wanted to give him a reason for not accepting the money. Actually, the reason was because his parents never gave him money. And I didn't want him giving me money because I'd love to pay him back, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't be able to pay him back.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I wouldn't be able to pay you back."

"Who said anything about ​paying back. I don't expect you to," he looked at me, "This can get her into a hospital."

Of course it could. It looked like three thousand dollars, but I wasn't sure how he got it. Or maybe I do.. Since Ryan's dad was a drunk, Ryan was able to take his money easily. His dad had loads of money so he wouldn't notice if his money was stolen. Actually, this was the more reason I should collect the money, but I've seen Ryan broke before and it wasn't nice.

"I know... But, thanks Ryan," I said, shaking my head.

He looked hurt, "You know it's crazy how bad you need this money but you don't wanna take it even when you know you're not paying back."

"Bambi was gonna give me some money already.. tomorrow."

He nodded, "Alright."

The bell rang and everyone in the hallway started to disperse.

"C'mon, let's go to class," I said as I took his hand.

"Wait," he said, stopping me with his other hand.

"What? We'd be late!"

"Really? Some seconds late?"

I chuckled a little, "Okay. What is it?"

"Try smiling a little, okay? You do look like you've been crying through the night."

"What's there to smile about? Tanner's my seatmate," I said.

Ryan chuckled,"You haven't told me about the lesson yesterday."

I rolled my eyes, "I'd tell you during lunch. Let's get to class."

..................

"Morning class!" Mrs Martinez smiled as she walked into the class.

" Hello Mrs Martinez. " Everyone- probably except Tanner and I- replied lazily

"Today's a wonderful day!" She looked around, smiling.

I wish.

"Smith! You've got a lovely jacket on today," Mrs Martinez said.

One, Ryan, be careful.

Two, why was she so happy today?

....................

"Mackenzie! What does each function do?"

My head snapped up as I heard Mrs Martinez ask. I hadn't been listening so what the hell was she talking about? I looked around to Ryan, but his head was on his desk. I dared not turn to Tanner to ask what she'd been talking about, so I just mumbled instead,"I don't know."

Mrs Martinez looked surprised, "What do you mean you don't know?"

"It means I do not know it," I snapped, closing my eyes.

Mrs Martinez looked at me for sometime, then sighed as she said,

"Alright. McCann, maybe you know it?"

My eyes were closed so I had no idea what he did, but I could picture the look on his face and the attitude when he said, "Uh... One side of the right angled s**t is divided by the other."

My eyes opened. Tanner answered a question!

"First off, it's a right angle triangle and it's not s**t, then, McCann did answer my question. It's exciting!" She said like a kid.

Through the side of my eye, I saw Tanner roll his eyes at Mrs Martinez. For the first time, I had to accept his jerky behaviour.

I turned to look at Ryan again and this time his eyes were wide open. I turned back to look at my note when I saw Tanner look at me with my corner of my eyes. I decided to try something and so I turned to look at him, immediately I did, he looked at Mrs Martinez. He probably was laughing at me right now, afterall, he liked to see me sad.

.............

"Mackenzie!" I heard Mrs Martinez call after the class.

"Yes Mrs Martinez?" I walked up to her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes... Yes, Mrs Martinez, I am," I answered, forcing a smile.

"You taught Tanner that, didn't you?" She asked.

"Yes, I did. I had to start with the basics of trigonometry."

"And that was the best thing to do. Thank you, Mackenzie."

I nodded, "It's fine."

"Maybe if you're having any problem with him, you could tell me?"

"Then, I'd be talking to you everyday," I tried to joke and it worked because Mrs Martinez laughed.

She sighed, "Really there's just something about that guy.. I don't know what it is exactly."

"Oh... That's nice," I said, obviously uninterested. She got that and said,

"I'm sorry... Don't mind me. I'd see you in the next class, Mackenzie."

I left the classroom and walked to the lunch room. I didn't have to look around for Bambi or Ryan. I could already hear Ryan's laughter and Bambi talking in a high-pitched voice. I was sure she was mimicking somebody. I joined them as I finally told them about the first lesson with Tanner and how frustrating it was. I also told them about the girl in Tanner's house.

"What girl?" Ryan looks confused.

"He had a girl in the house. He left me just to go see her.. he was even gonna cook for her!" I threw my hands up in the air.

"No, I think-"

And the bell rang.

..............

When last bell rang,

"I gotta get home now, Bambi." I told her as I got some texts from my locker.

"Okay. I'd tell Ryan," she touched my shoulder," Please, don't think about it, alright? I'd give you something tomorrow."

I nodded, "Thank you, Bambi."

"It's nothing." She smiled at me, "Now, run along and get home fast."

I chuckled, "Bye," I told her and walked away from my locker only to bump into Edward.

"Hey, I'm sorry," I apologized.

"It's fine. Are you okay, though?" He looked at me.

"Yeah, I am.. it's just that I've gotta get home quickly."

"Oh? Can I take you home then?"

Before I left for Spain, I wondered why he was so nice, now that I was back, I wondered why he was best friends with Tanner.

"No, it's okay.. I'd-"

"I insist," the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile.

I hesitated, "Fine," I playfully rolled my eyes.

.................

"Thank you so much, Edward," I smiled as he pulled up to my house. We'd talked during the drive.

"It's my pleasure," He smiled back,

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah," I nodded, "Bye"

When I got into the house, mom was asleep on the couch. I walked quietly to her as I knelt​ beside her, "Mom?"

"Mom?" I called again.

"Uh... MZ." she opened her eyes.

"How have you been?"

"Just okay."

I sighed, "You need to go to a hospital."

"I know... I'm just worried about you."

"Don't be worried. I can take care of myself. It's the money we should be worried about. Bambi says she'd give me some money tomorrow."

"Tell her not to worry."

"I don't have the money yet, mom."

"But I do."

"You do?"

"Yes. Use it."

I nodded, "Okay, okay."