Tick Tock

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

"I think when things linger, that's when they become a distraction. I don't want any distractions."
~Derek Jeter

Escape.

That was the word that continued to echo through my mind.

What would life be if we had no place to escape to?

Meghan's was obviously reading.

I see Angeline occasionally, when she thinks I'm not there, entranced by a soap opera on TV.

I remember Mother had the most beautiful voice.

It was the waves of an ocean and laughter of a child put to melody.

That was her escape.

She would close her eyes, hold me close, and let that angelic sound out.

And for a moment, that sound was all that mattered.

That was the closest thing I've ever had to an escape. My mind is too loud to be silenced by things that aren't out of this world, like my mother's voice was.

So when she died any chance of escape burned with her.

Mind always on alert, the world always devouring my full attention.

"Noel?" Her voice was distant, "Where have you escaped to? You look like you're in your own universe."

I smile at the irony.

My universe is bigger than this world that expects so much out of me.

I can escape into myself.

I see Meghan at my door, "You're up."

Her cheeks burn red, "I'm so sorry about last night."

I scan her and stand up from my bed, "I'm just glad Angeline gave you some clothes."

She puts her arms around her like she's hugging herself, "Yes, they're very nice."

I felt like she was about to burst into tears.

I smile at her softly, "Meghan, come here," and pat the bed.

She sits and the tears finally start to leak out, "I should have listened to you."

"Told you so." I say.

Her eyes go wide in only the way Meghan's can.

"Kidding." I chuckle.

She lets out a smile through her red puffy eyes, "I think I might have kissed somebody, Noel." She says, sounding absolutely horrified.

I try not to laugh.

"It-it was my first kiss..." Now she's in her own universe.

"Who was it?" I ask.

She frowns, "That's what I'm trying to remember."

"Well," I say, "then let's just not count it. I've never counted my drunken kisses."

She looks up at me, "You get drunk?"

"No. Not anymore. But I do have quite the history. I'm just trying to wait it out and let people forget. It's worked. A lot of people don't even know who I am."

Meghan raises an eyebrow, "Do you really think that?"

"Well, yeah." I say.

"Everybody knows who you are. You're Noel Peters, that rich pretty girl that thinks she's too good for everybody."