“God dammit” I grumble under my breath struggling to pull my suitcase out of Tom’s trunk. The wheels caught on the straps of Chris’ rucksack. My attempts to just yank it free seem to be futile as the bag is still not out of the car. I stop pulling and stamp my right foot letting out a cry of frustration.
“Here let me help you” Tom says coming around from the front of the car, resting a hand on my lower back.
“I’ve got it!” I say bluntly moving away from him. With one giant yank I manage to get it free and out of the car. Tom reaches to grab the handle, but I don’t allow it.
“What did I do?” He asks dumbfounded as I begin to walk away, pulling my bag on my own.
Was he genuinely that stupid? What did he do wrong? I don’t know how about punching my brother in the face: that could be something big. He’s a smart kid he should be able to understand that, so I don’t say anything and just continue on my way hoping to get away and find Tonia as soon as possible.
“Stop being so stubborn Lace!” He calls out from behind me.
Flipping him off with my free hand, I pick up my pace, nearly running towards the hotel. Behind me I can hear Tom cursing under his breath and the sound of his foot rebounding off the car’s rims.This time I didn’t feel tears building up behind my eyes and choking me up; I felt anger rising up in my being, an urge to just scream at him fighting it’s way out of my mouth.
Just keep walking Laci-Rae, keep walking I say to myself through closed lips. Just get yourself the hell away before you do something dumb.
For the first time in my life I actually listened to my own advice and booked my ass straight to my room.
*
“Hello beautiful!” Tonia greets me as I open my hotel room door. “Do you want to come help me setup my room in the village? We’re all going there now.” She asks, an inviting smile plastered on her face. Tonia was the number one person who was gunning to keep me involved in the Olympic experience I should be having. Normally I would be all for it, but right now it just didn’t feel right.
I shake my head no twice.
“I think I’m just going to stay here. You know get myself situated here since this is my equivalent to a room.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Munchkin...” She rests a hand on my shoulder, a small sigh escaping through her lips.
“Seriously I’m fine Tonia; it’s not what you think. Go set up your’s and Sarah’s room. Text me pictures as it gets done.” I smile at her trying to reassure her that the thought of the village was not the reason I wasn’t going: I just wanted to be alone after the whole blow up with Tom earlier.
“You’re so stubborn” She says sarcastically.
I cringe slightly at the words; only hearing Tom yell them at me earlier this morning. Tonia doesn’t seem to notice and turns to leave.
I begin closing the door behind her when she suddenly turns back around. Catching to door with her right hand as it’s about to close in her face.
“Oh wait Laci! I almost forgot” she rummages through her bag, searching for something. “Thomas said to give this to you: you left it in his car.” She places my phone into my outstretched hand.
“Thanks babe” I smile and take the phone from her hands, it’s swinging headphones making the exchange a little sloppy.
After pressing the door closed once again, I get a running start and fling myself backwards onto the bed. Untangling the white headphones from around the phone I quickly shove them into my ears, just wanting to mindlessly pump music into my ears until today was over.
