On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino

Author:Anna Sortino [Sortino, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-four

Jackson

I can’t ignore the dizzy sensation anymore. It’s violently taking over me.

I don’t know exactly what makes it escalate from an off-kilter feeling to an inability to stand. Maybe it’s from moving too fast. I keep walking but stumble, having to catch myself on the rough concourse wall. Leaning back, I slide to the filthy ground, unable to coax my body to move any farther.

I’m sick, tired, and decidedly used.

Everything needs to stop.

Is that why Ellie came this weekend? All because her ex was on the other team? If only I knew what she was signing furiously across the field. She kissed me just to get back at him. Is that all this has been? Am I just some distraction to her?

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Okay, if I stay perfectly still, maybe this will all go away. But my head still sways ever so slightly, side to side, and I can’t stop it.

I shouldn’t have come on this trip. I could be home in bed right now, and none of this would’ve happened. This was supposed to be a way to make it up to Ellie for missing last weekend, but I guess she wasn’t really that bothered by it after all.

Her kiss took me by surprise since neither one of us had seemed to be enjoying the evening. But I didn’t want to question it. Ellie’s lips were so warm and soft. Inviting. Eager. Kissing her initially seemed like everything I’d hoped it would be.

But it wasn’t real.

At least, not for her.

“Jackson?”

Ellie’s nearby. Her voice is soft, cautious. She crouches down beside me. I don’t acknowledge her presence.

Why is this freaking happening again?

She’s speaking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

I turn to the other side and cough, interrupting her. It takes everything in me to keep the chicken tenders down.

“Are you okay?”

“Mm-hmm,” I mumble, unwilling to unclench every muscle in my body. “I just need a moment.” By now she probably realizes that I’m not just sitting here to be dramatic about her and her ex. I couldn’t care less about that kiss anymore. I need to get out of here. Back to the hotel.

“Can you get up?” Ellie offers a hand. With no other choice, I accept but waver on my feet. She wraps an arm around me. “Do you need to see a doctor?”

I try to shake my head. A mistake. This is awful.

“Jackson, I think—”

“No.” I close my eyes, trying to steady myself. “This is what happened Saturday,” I say. Or, at least, I try to say. It may come out more like, “Tbhib what happened.” I really can’t be sure.

“Jackson…” She’s concerned. Are my lips not shaping the words correctly, either?

I do my best to enunciate. “Vertigo. The doctor said.”

“What are you doing?” another voice calls toward us. Someone older. Someone from school. A teacher?

“He’s not feeling well,” Ellie explains, practically holding me upright.

“Have you been drinking?” he asks.

“Drunk? No,” she says sharply. “Smell his freaking breath. He’s not.”

The teacher steps forward and sniffs.

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