I JOLTED FROM A FREEFALL, the sensation a weightlessness that felt familiar yet alien all in one lump package. When my lids squeaked open, the butterflies in front of me had given up their vibrating gig to settle onto flowers that were equally as static. Despite my body curled into a foetal ball, a cold shiver rippled through me—probably from the chilled dampness that glued me to the bedsheets. Too weary to bounce up with any kind of vigour, I listened for sounds without bothering to turn my head, but scarcely anything seemed to be moving. Just the soft tones of what sounded like the TV carried through.
I lay there for minutes more. Wondering if Jem sat downstairs, purposely ignoring me lest I somehow disappoint her again. Needing to try and prevent that happening, I flicked back the duv
