This Ordinary Life Read Online Free PDF

my mother chooses that moment to rush in.
    â€œJasmine!” she practically yells, all out of breath. “I’m double parked! Is Danny signed out?”
    I turn where I am, still next to Wes’s bed. “Um, no. He needs a parent or guardian to sign him out. Hang on. I’ll go tell the nurse.” I slip from beside Wes’s bed, turning back to give him another small wave as I make my way from the room. He winks at me, but it’s not as cheesy as you’d expect a wink to be. It’s conspiratorial. Like we’re sharing a secret or something. Which makes no sense, I know.
    I really need to get some more sleep. My brain is playing tricks on me.

4
    I’ M UP FOR school the next day with plenty of time to spare. I’m obviously not getting a ride from Sebastian anymore, so I’ll be walking most days. On the days Frankie has a car, I’ll have a ride, but otherwise, I’ll be getting my daily exercise bright and early. I text her to see if she’s driving today.
    I apply my eyeliner slowly, thinking about how much time I wasted on him. I’m not going to lie, it hurts like hell. He’s not only a liar and a cheater but he was in such a rush to tell the world how free and available he is the second we broke up. But whatever, there is no way I’m disrespecting myself enough to chase after him, or even think about taking him back. It’s over. My stomach clenches on itself like I’m in the middle of one of those show-up-to-school-naked dreams, but I let out a breath and smooth my eyebrows with my eyebrow brush. I may be shattered inside, but Sebastian will never know.
    Besides, Danny is out of the hospital and he seemed perfectly healthy for the rest of the day yesterday, and today I will talk to Ms. Hudson about somehow, some way, getting over to the Get Up and Go show, even though I missed the trip. I need that internship. There is no way I’m getting anywhere near affording college if I don’t have some better communications and radio experience to my name. I need that job.
    After giving Danny his medicine and setting out his breakfast, I pour a bowl of cereal for myself. I eat it at the counter, scrolling through my phone and hoping Frankie texts me back.
    â€œJasmine? Why are you up?” Mom asks from behind me. I didn’t even hear her come in.
    â€œUh, school?”
    She blinks rapidly and pulls her hair into a messy knot on the top of her head. Her eyes skate to the calendar on the wall, which is two months behind. She turns her red-rimmed eyes back to me. “School?”
    â€œYeah, the place we go five days a week?”
    â€œI think I need coffee,” she says. She shuffles across the kitchen in her too-big sweatpants. “That whole hospital stay really threw me off this week. I swore today was Saturday.”
    I snort. “I wish. It’s Wednesday, Mom.”
    She chugs half a cup of black coffee. How she doesn’t burn her throat, I don’t know.
    I rinse my bowl in the sink. “Danny had his meds. His bagel is on the table.”
    Mom steps closer and puts a clammy hand on my face. She smells like sweat and vodka. “Thanks, sweetie. I appreciate your help. Things will get easier for us around here. Thanks for pitching in so much.”
    â€œNo problem,” I grumble, reaching down to pick up my bag. “You working tonight?”
    â€œIt’s Wednesday? Yes. I’m working the late shift. That okay for you to be here for Danny?”
    â€œYeah, of course. Is there any food?”
    â€œThere’s leftovers,” she says, sipping her coffee. “And tonight is Amir’s night in the kitchen. That means I’ll bring lots of stuff home.”
    My stomach rumbles. The bar where Mom works has a pretty good kitchen. When Amir, her favorite chef, is cooking, he always makes us extra. It’ll keep us well fed for a few days, at least.
    â€œNice,” I answer. “Hopefully