mixed feelings // dreamnotfound

Part 24: Escape

Monday, December 27th

When George and I returned back to the house, I suddenly became aware of my hunger and we decided to eat something together.

We caught up on a few things that had happened in the time we were separated, before finally calling it off for the night.

---

I enter my room, knowing I won't be able to sleep at all.

What even happened? I think to myself, trying to process how the nights of suffering all disappeared in a few hours.

I brush my teeth, and take a shower for the first time in a while.

I feel refreshed, having walked outside for a bit and eaten a decent meal.

I shut off my lights and enter my bed, pulling out my phone.

I check the time.

2:33 A.M.

I sigh and shift in my bed.

I decide to scroll through Twitter for a bit, hoping that maybe somehow it'll make me tired.

After a few minutes of mindless scrolling, a notification suddenly pops up on the top of my screen.

I look up to find a notification from George and read it.

Are you up?

I click on our chat immediately, and start typing.

yeah, can't sleep

I smile at my phone.

Me neither

I'm about to ask him about our plans for tomorrow before he suddenly sends something else.

I was thinking about what you said earlier, it reads.

I can feel my pulse start to race, but try to act like I'm unfazed.

oh yeah? what did i say?

He doesn't respond for a few minutes, and I convince myself that he probably isn't going to say anything else until tomorrow.

Right as I'm about to shut off my phone in defeat, though, I feel it vibrate against my palm.

I immediately tilt my head back to the phone and focus on his next message.

About me always being safe instead of honest

I sigh, and decide to respond carefully.

i was just frustrated

don't listen to what i said

Simple, but I need to give George something.

He doesn't respond for a while again, but I don't think about turning my phone off this time.

For a reason I can't place, I feel my stomach flutter when I see the 'read' receipt below my message.

No, I was thinking about it and you're right

I don't respond, waiting to see if he'll say anything else.

To my surprise, he does.

I need to talk to you in person

My breath catches in my throat.

I'm probably going to regret this, his final message reads.

I stare at it in confusion, my heart starting to beat even faster.