Story 1- Ch.7
I closed my eyes and held my breath. I stayed that way until I stopped hearing the sound of his lunch being returned into the hotel trash can.
After awhile he stopped and ran some water in the bathroom. I opened one eye as he started to rinse his mouth out.
“You okay?” I asked weakily.
He sort of laughed and put his head down on the counter.
“Are you okay?”
I put my hands on my face.
“Okay, I can’t tell if you’re really concerned or if you’re being a sarcastic ass.”
“I’m concerned. I promise.” He seemed to turn a little purple at that word. Promise.
“You know, I usually like purple…but on you’re face, it’s kind of disturbing.”
“What?”
“You turned purple…when you said promise.”
“Oh…I just feel sort of sick. That’s all.”
I edged around the bed and went for the phone.
“I’ll get you some ginger ale, I guess.”
He smiled and then turned his head to vomit again.
I gagged and called room service.
* * *
Around five that morning, my phone went off. TC groaned at the noise caused by the phone.
“Hey! You have to get here before my parents go to work!”
Daniella again.
“Stall for me. Just run the shower before they come in and say that I’m taking a shower.”
“Why? Just come back!”
I my eyes shifted to TC who was attempting to sleep less than three inches away. He sensed my eyes on him and opened his.
“Uh…I can’t.”
“Why?!”
“I’m kind of…baby-sitting.”
“What? Did you having a baby?”
I smacked my already aching head.
“Yes, Daniella, I got pregnant.
TC shot up and stared at me. Apparently, he hadn’t remembered everything that happened. But I guess I did look a little suspicious laying there in his t-shirt.
I waved him back down and whispered, “Joking.”
“Sorry! I was just asking.”
I sighed.
“I’m sorry! I’m just a little hungover.”
“Hungover? Then who are you babysitting?”
I bit my lip and braced myself for the yelling.
“…TC?”
“WHAT? TC? Are you crazy?”
“Oh, maybe just a little.”
“Alice!”
“Just do the shower thing, okay? I’ll be over before noon.”
* * *
By nine, TC and I were up and dressed. I tried to open the curtains, but TC wouldn’t let me.
“But it’s cloudly out.” I said.
“It would still feel like my head was about to explode.”
I stood on my toes and kissed his head.
“That’s what you get for drinking all of those shots.”
His laugh bounced off the walls.
“Yeah…you got that right.”
His smile stayed plastered on his face as he leaned down. I knew I should’ve turned to miss the kiss. This was only going to hurt me more, but I couldn’t resist him.
After a few seconds I pushed him gently away.
“We, uh, should get going.”
He breathed deeply and agreed.
We were half way down the hall when he pulled my arm.
“I can explain…about last night.”
“I already told you that nothing happened! I was just joking.”
He kept up a steady pace, walking right behind me.
“I know that! I meant when I said that I couldn’t be with you.”
I felt like I had just been punched in the gut.
“Can we, uh, talk about this later?”
“Why do you say ‘uh’ so much now?”
“Because I’m stalling.”
I clapped my hand over my mouth. I hated how he could make me confess all of my secrets.
“Stalling for what?”
I stopped suddenly and whirled around; he slammed into me.
“I don’t want to get hurt again, okay?”
He paled a little.
“I know. I know that! I just need to get help first.”