Get What You Give Read Free

The only thing we needed to be worried about was getting our tails out of there. However, I knew all the pain she had been through, and I didn’t want to add more, so I decided to help Teddi get her things. Because Teddi’s parents were gone, this stuff was all she had of them.
    â€œOkay, tell me what you want me to grab. Where is your little trunk?” I said, referring to the silver box in which she stored everything.
    â€œIt’s under my bed, but it’s all the way over there. I can’t—I can’t breathe, Hailey.” Teddi clutched her heart.
    â€œWhat are y’all doing? I said y’all have to get out of here!” Cassidy said as she came back to our room. She had gone knocking on other people’s doors. “Y’all have to get out of here.” Her mouth was covered, but we could understand what she was saying.
    â€œGo ahead, Teddi. I’ll get your box.”
    â€œThank you,” she said, crying hysterically. “Thank you, Hailey. How ... how could I have doubted your love for me?”
    The dorm beds were so heavy I needed to think about how I was quickly going to get in and get out. When my mom had come up a week ago, it had taken four of us to move the beds. How am I going to move these by myself now? I thought to myself. Come on, Hailey. Think. Then I figured it out. I could fit under the bed; I would just slide under and grab her box.
    But I was becoming more and more tired. I wasn’t a geek, but I knew the smoke was wearing down on my heart. With as little as I had in me, I decided to give it one last try. She needed the box.
    That was all I could muster. I knew Teddi would never forgive herself if I risked my life for her personal belongings. I didn’t pray often, but at this moment I could use a prayer. So I thought, Lord, I know I’ve been a little angry at You for taking my friend’s parents. I guess if You wouldn’t have, she wouldn’t be in my life. Out of lemons we’re supposed to make lemonade, right? Help me get it, because I need to get out of here.
    I grunted and got the box, exited the room, and went out into the hallway. I could barely see, but I knew which way the stairs were. When I got there, there was more moaning. Screams were filling the clouded air.
    Cassidy said to me, “The door is jammed. We can’t get out. And your friend, Teddi—look!”
    When I looked down, I saw that Teddi had passed out. This moment was so terrifying there weren’t any words to describe it. At this moment the smoke got denser, and I couldn’t even see down to the other end of the hallway. I knew we were through.
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    â€œHelp! Help! Oh, my gosh, help!” I screamed out, joining Cassidy and other people from our floor in their cries for help.
    I just started praying to God to help us. I know I don’t come to You often, Lord. But I do care, and I love You.
    I was going on and on until Cassidy shook me. “Come on, don’t give up. Help us yell for help!”
    As we continued yelling, the door we were banging on finally sprang open. Two guys from upstairs who had been heading out had stopped to help us. The air coming in was fresh and couldn’t have come at a better time.
    This guy shouted, “We heard y’all! There was a beam blocking the door! We gotta get out of here! Look at the fire! Help them, Jake!”
    The Jake guy motioned for the other two girls to leave, and they fled fast. “Come on!”
    Cassidy and I pulled Teddi to the stairs, and the other guy slammed the steel door shut behind us to momentarily hold the fire. Cassidy and I tried to move my roommate. Her limp body was not responsive.
    â€œCassidy, go!” I shouted. “I got her!”
    â€œI’m not leaving you guys. You need my help,” Cassidy said as the smoke started to seep under the steel door.
    â€œRun, girl—I’ll help them,” the stranger said as he shoved Cassidy down the