“I have no time for friends, no time for anything anymore. And my parents are stressed out all the time”

This is so not her type.

Mimi grips her gym bag tighter, hoists it over her shoulder. Should she leave? Stand there and wait? Or say something?

Say something. She should definitely say something.

“Uh... Lea? Are you okay?”

Of all the dumb questions. No, she’s not okay, duh.

Lea grabs a tissue, swipes at her eyes. “Whatever.” She looks at her watch, then up the road again. “I guess my mom couldn’t make it. I’m going to start walking.”

She’s heading in the same direction as Mimi has to go, anyway. Mimi falls into step beside her, wondering if she should say something, or just wait.

Waiting works. Lea gives her a quick, sidelong glance and then says abruptly, “My little brother. He’s sick. Like, really sick. And it’s crazy. The house is upside down. My parents are in and out of the hospital all the time. Even now, my mom planned to pick me up, but she also said if she doesn’t show up, I should just walk — she’s probably had to run back to the doctor or the hospital for some emergency.” She sucks in a breath. “Obviously, the worst part is Benny — he’s so sick, it’s heartbreaking to see him like that. You have no idea. But then there’s a million other things, things you’d never think of. Like my dad always helped me with homework, and now I’m totally falling behind. And I can’t keep up in class because I’m always babysitting the other kids, making supper, whatever, while my mom’s in the hospital. I have no time for friends, no time for anything anymore. And my parents are stressed out all the time.” She stops.