“Yeah, I know, it’s mean,” says Nick. “But honestly, most of the school does it.”
“Most of the school?” I say, horrified. “Just because she was hanging out with me this semester?”
“What? No,” says Ion. “She’s had that nickname since elementary school. I think Xander gave it to her, actually. It’s because her birthmark covers the top half of her face. Like Batman’s mask. It’s really mean, so we obviously never use it, but a lot of other kids do.”
I swallow and find myself looking down toward the nondescript geometry of the cafeteria floor. They call her Batgirl because of the way she looks? They’ve been doing it since elementary school? I blink a few times in shock, and then anger. What’s wrong with people? Why would anyone treat Cecily that way?
But more important right now, where is she if she’s not at school and her car is gone?
“Where do you guys think she is?” I ask the table.
“Maybe she’s just sick or something,” suggests Whitford.
I think about our argument.
“Maybe it’s my fault,” I say hesitantly. “We had this big fight a few weeks ago. I said some things.… But since then…”
“What?” prompts Ion.
“I guess you could say I finally came to my senses,” I say. “I really care about her. And I need her to know that.”
“About time,” says Ion.
“You knew?” I ask.
“About your crush? Duh,” she says.
“I didn’t realize it was that obvious,” I say.
“It was so obvious a blind guy could’ve seen it,” says Nick, adding, “No offense.”
“Well, as soon as school’s out, I’m going to find her. I’ve got to make things right.”
“I’ll drive if you want help finding her, Will.”
“I’m in, too,” says Ion. “But don’t worry, I’m sure everything’s fine.”
“Like I said, maybe she’s just at home sick or something,” Whitford says again. “And maybe her mom just needed the car this morning. We can all go visit her after school. Let’s meet in the parking lot after last period.”
As it happens, I have no exam last period (gym class). Rather than leave early, though, I had planned to go see Mr. Johnston. Since it’s the end of the semester, I need to go over the routes for my spring schedule with him. I don’t want to ask any of my friends to do it because I feel like they’re finally thinking of me as their friend first, and a visually impaired guy second, and I don’t want to mess that up. I wouldn’t have minded asking Cecily to help, I guess, but now she’s gone.
I navigate to Mr. Johnston’s office, back to that same room where I began in September. We set off immediately, starting from the main entrance once again.
“Shame about your friend Cecily,” says Mr. Johnston as I’m counting out the steps in the science hallway.
I stop abruptly.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“About her father. It seems he had a heart attack. He’s home now, and he’ll recover, but she went to be with him for a few weeks.”
“Her father, like, in California?”
“Yes, I believe that’s where he lives.”
As we continue to plan out my walking routes, I’m distracted by the sensation that my chest is going to explode. I want so desperately to apologize to Cecily and to tell her I like her. But how can I now? It’s impossible. Not only is she ignoring my calls and texts, it turns out she’s literally a thousand miles away.
When we meet at Whitford’s car after school, I fill everyone in on what I learned.
“So, Los Angeles?” says Nick.
“Yeah.”
“You gonna go see her?” asks Ion.
“That would be quite the romantic gesture, but my eyes… It’s a thing from the operation. I can’t fly anywhere right now.” I feel a knot in the back of my throat like I might cry.
“Don’t give up so soon. Why don’t we drive to Los Angeles?” Whitford suggests. “It’s only, what? A couple days? And we are on break now.”
Everyone suddenly starts talking at once, excited about Whitford’s road trip. But even if we can sleep in the car, we’ll still need gas money. Nick, Ion, Whitford, and I disclose our financial assets, which turn out to be less than one hundred dollars in cash between us all.
“How can you not have any money?” Nick asks Whitford.
“When I need money, I ask my parents, and they give it to me. It’s not like I have a reason to stash it away or something.”
“Well, the road trip was a nice idea,” I say. “Thanks for the offer, guys.”
? ? ?
My friends drop me off at home, and I’m sitting in my room by myself when I hear Mom’s footsteps on the stairs.
Then she knocks at the door. “Honey?” she calls.
“Come in.”
I hear Mom walk in and feel her sit beside me on the bed.
“How’re you doing?” she asks.
“Fine.”
“You don’t seem fine.”
“Where’s Dad?”
“Still at work.”