Page 38 of Pretty Thing

My phone buzzes. Ugh, why won’t people leave me alone? With a heavy sigh, I shift my hand from under the blankets to grab the annoying device but, grin when I see it’s Felix.

Felix: Hi there, Pretty Thing. How are you feeling?

Eden: Tired, but better now.

Felix: Oh yeah? Does that have anything to do with me?

I stupidly smile at my phone. The flirting with a hot guy feels almost normal. A little flutter in my chest, and cheeks burning as I picture his sexy face.

Eden: Maybe a little.

Felix: Just a little?

He sends through a cute, pouting emoji.

Eden: Okay, a lot.

Felix: My next customer just arrived, but I miss seeing your face. It reminds me of a sunflower on a sunny day. See you later.

My stomach twists. Sunflowers are my mother’s favorite. She used to call me her sunflower when I was a little girl.

I no sooner put my phone down when it vibrates again.

I look at the glowing screen, and it’s much later than I thought. It’s almost five, and I haven’t moved except once to pee and brush my teeth. I’m not hungry, and I don’t really feel like doing anything. This behavior is acceptable when you are grieving, right?

The text from Aunt Doreen stays there, judging me until I give in and open it.

Aunt Doreen: Hi there, sweetie. Uncle Fred and I are flying in Thursday and will come straight to the house to help with all the funeral arrangements. Love you, see you soon.

I don’t bother answering her right now. My aunt is overbearing and always positive in a really weird almost cruel way. Her first text after the accident said, “Buck up. At least my sister went quick. Better than rotting in a bed for years.” As if that makes my mother’s death any better. And who the hell says, buck up, in reference to losing someone?

As I’m contemplating shutting off my phone, a new text comes in from Kyle.

Kyle: Hey, hot stuff. How are you today? Thinking about me naked?

I snort and shake my head at the ridiculous message.

Eden: I’m okay…I mean, as good as anyone can be, I guess. Thanks for checking, and no, I’m not thinking of you naked, you weirdo. How angry is Kris that I haven’t called?

Kyle and Kris are twins and have been my best friends since grade two. They used to live one street over, but they’re family moved to a fancier neighbourhood when we were in grade nine. Which sucked, but at least we still got to see each other at school all the time. But, now the two of them have moved into an apartment together last year closer to their school, Algonquin College. It’s only twenty minutes away, but it may as well be hours with how little we’ve seen one another.

Kyle: She’ll get over it. I think she’s just sulking. She thinks you don’t need her, but obviously need me.

I snort at the happy face emoji.

Kyle: Which of course you do.

He is such a tease.

Eden: I need both of you. But I’m not very good company right now.

Kyle: We’re your best friends. We don’t need you to be good company.

There is a long pause with little bubbles appearing and then disappearing again.

Kyle: Have you decided when the funeral will be?

A tear slides down my cheek.