Phonophobia

|26|

*Unedited.

We were piled outside the room, seven of us, not knowing who to go in first.

I looked at Greg and he shrugged.

"Where's Payne when you need him." I muttered to myself.

Of course, he had to attend an important meeting today. This early morning on a freaking Monday!

Now how on Earth am I supposed to look Lace in the eye and lure her into this when I haven't checked on her once since we came here.

I sighed and rubbed my sweaty hands on Payne's red hoodie. Jesus work a miracle will you?

"If you over think it, you're gonna fuck up." Greg broke me a very generous advice.

The other four guys that were going to escort us nodded amongst them was Bradley who gave me a toothy grin.

"Not that I wouldn't go," Alex started pointedly. "But you're really the one that should be in there first."

"I know, I just–I dunno what to say." I whined.

My anxiety was surfacing.

A hand clamped on my shoulder, pressing gently. I looked up and gave Greg a forced smile. He gave me a blank look.

"Listen, Abigail, the worse that could happen is if she pulls out a gun out of nowhere and shoots your backstabbing heart." He said and my face dropped.

"Greg!" I called out in frustration and whacked his chest. "That's not funny."

A small smile played at the corner of his lips and I fought back a smile too.

"But I doubt that's gonna happen, because deep inside, you're the only person she trusts now." He patted my shoulder twice and I nodded, feeling motivated from the lack of motivation.

"Okay, I can do this." I said encouragingly and the guys gave me a wary look.

"You go girl!" Alex whooped, clapping quietly.

I breathed deeply and stepped forward, my hand closed around the door handle and twisted it slowly and the door clicked open. I looked back and flashed all of them a smile. Alex gave me a thumbs up while Greg and the other guys shook their heads wistfully.

I widened the entrance and slipped inside before closing the door behind me.

I fiddled with my fingers as I looked around the room. The walls were plain grey and everywhere was neatly made. The bathroom door clicked open and Lace stepped out.

She was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. Her bottom lip was stuck between her teeth as she nibbled on it. Her face was splashed with water, she looked panicked, her face was pale and she seemed to be ratting her head for ideas.

Her usual rainbow dyed hair was had faded into something brownish with remains of color.

I hesitated for a moment before clearing my throat. She flinched and let out a terrified squeak.

My nervous smile contorted into a frown. This was very unlike her. Lace isn't the jumpy type, or even the type to get scared easily.

Whoever she was meeting today had to be either terrifying or someone really scary.

"What are you doing here?" She gritted out, her voice shaky.

"Lace," I called out softly. "Are you okay?"

"Okay?" She echoed, a mirthless chuckle escaping her lips. "Wow, he managed to fuck whatever remained of your brains out of you."

I took offense to that but didn't say anything. My heart sunk for her, she looked completely lost.