Chapter 4

I wake up on my bedroom floor.

The morning light coming through my window is too bright. My chest feels like someone parked a truck on it.

How long was I out?

I check the clock. 6:47 AM. Finn's alarm goes off at seven. I need to get up and act normal before he comes downstairs.

Standing takes more effort than it should. My legs feel shaky, but I make it to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. The girl in the mirror looks pale and tired, but not dying.

Not yet.

By the time Finn comes down for breakfast, I'm already dressed and making coffee.

"Morning," he says, grabbing a piece of toast. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep. Too excited about the campus visit this weekend."

He smiles at that. "Marcus says the dorms have their own coffee shops. Can you believe that?"

"Fancy." I pour myself coffee even though my stomach feels queasy. "What time do you need to be at work?"

"Eight. Mr. Henderson wants me to help unload a shipment of paint."

After he leaves, I sit at the kitchen table and try to eat toast. It tastes like cardboard, but I force down half a piece. I need to keep my strength up for work.

The walk to the flower shop feels longer than usual. Every few steps, I have to stop and catch my breath. But I make it.

Mrs. Harper is arranging daisies when I walk in.

"Good morning, dear. How are you feeling?"

"Great. Much better."

She gives me a careful look. "You still seem a bit peaked. Maybe you should take another day off."

"I'm fine. Really. Iron supplements are working wonders."

The morning passes slowly. I arrange two funeral sprays and a birthday bouquet. Simple work, but my hands keep shaking.

Around eleven, I'm carrying a heavy vase to the back room when the world tilts sideways.

I grab for the counter, but miss. The vase crashes to the floor, water and roses everywhere.

"Ember!" Mrs. Harper rushes over. "Oh honey, are you hurt?"

I'm sitting on the wet floor, surrounded by broken glass and flower petals. My head is spinning and there's a sharp pain in my chest.

"I'm okay. Just clumsy."

"Nonsense. You fainted." She kneels next to me, her face worried. "I'm calling an ambulance."

"No!" I grab her wrist. "Please. I just forgot to eat breakfast. Low blood sugar."

"Ember—"

"Please, Mrs. Harper. I can't afford an ambulance. I'm fine, I swear."

She studies my face for a long moment. Then she sighs. "At least let me drive you home."

"I can walk."

"Absolutely not. And you're taking the rest of the week off."

The drive home is quiet. Mrs. Harper keeps glancing at me with worried eyes, but she doesn't push. When we pull into my driveway, she turns off the engine.

"Ember, I know you're independent. But everyone needs help sometimes."

"I know. Thank you."

"If you need anything. Anything at all. You call me."

Inside the house, I go straight to the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror again. This time, I can't pretend I look fine. My skin is gray-white and there are dark circles under my eyes.

I need to get to the pharmacy before I look any worse.

The walk to Grace's shop takes forever. I have to stop three times to rest. By the time I push open the door, I'm breathing hard.

Grace looks up from her computer and freezes.

"I need my refill," I say, trying to sound normal.

She doesn't answer right away. Just stares at me with those green eyes that are exactly like mine.

"When did you last eat?" she asks quietly.

"This morning. Toast."

"Sit down." It's not a request.