Mary Jennifer Payne - Grave Message

Cover shows a person's hand hovering over the screen of a mobile phone. The index finger points to an text typing chat bubble above the screen.

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MARY JENNIFER PAYNE

Copyright Mary Jennifer Payne 2022

Published in Canada and the United States

in 2022 by Orca Book Publishers.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: Grave message / Mary Jennifer Payne.

Names: Payne, Mary Jennifer, author.

Description: Series statement: Orca anchor

Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20210167106 | Canadiana (ebook) 20210167149 | ISBN 9781459828643 (softcover) | ISBN 9781459828650 ( PDF ) | ISBN 9781459828667 ( EPUB )

Classification: LCC PS 8631. A 9543 G 73 2022 | DDC jc813/.6dc23

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021934068

Summary: In this high-interest accessible novel for teen readers, Jaylin is surprised when she gets a text message from a friend who died a year ago.

Orca Book Publishers is committed to reducing the consumption of nonrenewable resources in the production of our books. We make every effort to use materials that support a sustainable future.

Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

Design by Ella Collier

Cover illustrations by Getty Images.ca/VectorFun

and Getty Images.ca/Big Ryan

Printed and bound in Canada.

25 24 23 22 1 2 3 4

In memory of John Payne
and Roula Vasilopoulos-Schell

A life that touches others goes on forever.

Jamal tries to hand the bottle of beer to me. Come on, Jaylin, he says. Just one drink.

I shake my head. You know I dont drink. Besides, I cant stay. I have to study. I look down at my watch. Its already eight thirty-five. I shouldve been home by now.

I look around the room. There are about twenty people from our school here. Even though were in the middle of exams, the music is loud, and most people are up and dancing. The party is just getting started. No one seems too worried about studying. No one, that is, but me. Truth is, for most of the people here, exams wont be a huge problem. But what Jamal doesnt know is that for me, an English exam is like climbing Mount Everest. Theres a reason I need a lot of time to study. And that reason is the only secret Ive ever kept from Jamal.

Jamal rolls his eyes at me. Youre the smartest girl I know. Youve been studying for this English exam forever. And its not even for another two days. Dont you want to hang with me? Jamal gives me the sad puppy-dog-eyes look.

Honestly. I justcant, I say. My mouth feels like Ive eaten a big spoonful of peanut butter. I stand up and grab my bag. Im sorry. Call you later?

Jamal shrugs. Sure. If you can fit me in. He looks around the room. I know hes upset. We havent spent much time together in the last few weeks. Its just a really hard time for me right now, and he doesnt get it.

I lean over and give him a fast kiss. Ill call you, I say. I head across the room toward the front door. As Im about to leave, I look back to wave goodbye to Jamal.

Hes sitting beside Vicky Mars on the couch. Their heads are bent close together. And theyre laughing at something on her phone. Vicky puts her hand on Jamals upper leg. My cheeks start to burn.

Ive got to get out of here. Now.

I pull open the front door and race out to the sidewalk. Tears spilling down my cheeks, I run all the way home.

Jaylin? Is that you? Mom calls from the kitchen. What have I told you about slamming that door?

Yeah. Its me, I say. I kick off my shoes and wipe at my eyes. I dont want Mom to see me upset. She already doesnt have much love for Jamal.

Mom wheels into the front hall. She looks up at me from her chair and smiles. Why are you standing out here? Ive made your favorite. Pizza, with lots of extra cheese. Just the way you like it.

Im sorry, Mom, I say. I lean down and give her a kiss on the cheek. Her skin smells like warm vanilla. For some reason that makes me want to start to cry again. I ate at the library with Alex. Im super sorry.

Moms brown eyes darken with worry. She knows Im not telling the truth. I have not hung out with any of my friends for almost a year.

Well, make sure you take a break at some point. I know this time of year is hard. She shoots me a sad smile as she turns her wheelchair around to go back to the kitchen. And if you want to watch some Netflix with me tonight, Id like that. She pauses. I miss her too, you know.

Maybe, if I get enough done, I say.

I go upstairs, lie down on my bed and open my computer. I still have to study. Our class has been reading Draculaa novel I understand on a deep level. People think its just about vampires. But the main theme is wanting the people you love to live forever. I get that. When you lose someone you really love, like I have, youd do anything to keep them with you.

Time to hit the books. Ive been given a version of Dracula that my computer can read out loud. Because I have dyslexia, when Im reading my brain doesnt work the same as the brain of someone without dyslexia does. But it doesnt mean Im not smart. I have the second-highest mark in my class. And I worked my butt off to get that grade.

After an hour of studying, its time for a brain break. I check my Instagram first. Theres a message. I need to see who has been sending me some Instagram love. It had better be Jamal. Hes got some explaining to do.

I click on the message.

Hey, girl! I love you and I miss you. I know it must be a shock to read this. But its me. For real. And I need your help. I need you to go to our spot tomorrow.

x Fatima

This must be a sick joke. Someone has hacked my best friends account.

I slam my computer shut. My hands are shaking so hard, I have to sit on them just to think. Maybe Im dreaming. Yeah, that must be it. Ill go to bed and everything will be okay when I wake up.

After all, theres no way this can be real. Because Fatima died exactly one year ago today.

Bright sun hits my face. I bolt up in bed. What time is it?

I grab my iPhone off my bedside table. Nine oclock? My exam starts in half an hour! How did I forget to set my alarm? Now I have zero time to review.