One Journey, the Final

Chapter 19:

I waded through the notifications, mostly ignoring Lyla's and Harry's. Mr. Byrn's had called me about three different topics. Me and my personal health, my job, and Dave's personal issues.

           "Hello Miss Price, this is Mr. Byrn's. Lately I've been noticing some unhealthy and problematic physical and emotional behaviors from you. If anything is wrong, give me a call."

          "Hello Miss Price, Byrns again. I forgot to mention, these unusual behaviors of yours are interfering with your job. Give me a call right away."

           "Hello Miss Price, I've been noticing the same behavior in my son Dave lately. I know you and him have been spending some time together, and I want it to stop."

These were the three messages. My mother left a majority about what was wrong with me. After seeing me on the cover of People wearing that outfit, hand in hand with Dave, and beer bottle in the other, she seemed genuinely worried, as every mother should be. I hadn't really thought about how she would react to seeing me like that. I guess I know now. Frazzled. I rolled my eyes after deleting her text messages. She just needs to get off my case. I had it all under control, I'm a grown woman for goodness sakes! After walking into my apartment, I realized just how messy I had left it. Clothes were strewn across the floor, with empty liquor bottles. Funny. I  don't remember drinking that much. I walked to my bedroom to get changed out of last night's clothes. Just as I am about to start a bath, I hear my phone go off. I answer it, to hear Mr. Byrn's scratchy smoker's voice on the other line.

              "Miss Price?!"

              "Yes?" I cautiously answer.

            "You're late to work, again. And this is the seventh time. And I just got a call from Dave. You two were arrested?"

           "More of asked to accompany the cops," I say numbly.

          "Well. That's just fabulous. And I suppose you know what happened to Dave?" his voice is heavy and raspy now.

          "No," I answer truthfully. What happened to him?

          "Well, he wasn't accused of stealing the alcohol. But, after further testing, they found some illegal drugs in his bloodstream. He used cocaine at last night's party. They're keeping him for some more testing. Did you take any last night as well?" I rack my brain, trying to search and remember what happened last night. Out of it all, I don't remember using drugs. It doesn't surprise me though that Dave used.

      "No, sir."

      "Good. But unfortunately, that's not why I called. Considering your previous behavior and irresponsible actions, I'm going to have to ask you to not come back tomorrow to work. Or the next day. Or ever. I'm sorry Miss Price, but I'm letting you go." I close my eyes. My heart sank.

       "Yes, sir," I say again, my voice cracking.

       "It was a pleasure to work with you. I'll have your stuff delivered to your door by tomorrow." And before I can say something else, he hangs up. I sigh, throw my phone across my bed, and hold my head in my hands, then shoot my head up straight after feeling the stinging. My face feels extremely puffy now that I think about it. Now that I'm thinking clearly and mild mannered, I decide to go investigate the damage done. After gingerly washing my face, I can see everything that has happened to me.

I nearly burst into tears. What have I done to myself?

My face is red. Right below my right eye, is a swollen purple lump. I can barely keep that eye open. I've got bags underneath that as well. I then glance at my arm. It's gross to look at. The bruise has spread to most of my arm. I look like I was terribly abused. My hair is greasy, and my skin is a little yellow from all the alcohol I've drank in the past few weeks. Not to mention  my eyes are considerably red from lack of sleep. Who is this monster staring back at me? It's in this moment, I'm seeing everything that has happened to me. Right from that very moment at the frozen yogurt shop, when I saw him, a part of me knew that I would end like this if I was to follow him. And a part of me liked that feeling, the feeling of uncontrollable lust and danger. I followed him not because of jealously, I followed him because of the feelings he gave me, that I had never experienced before. And then it all crashed from there. I'm seeing flashes of me drinking, partying, kissing him, being rude to the people I love. The memories hurt more than the bruises. The worse part of it all, is that I'm realizing now more than ever, I wasn't gaining anything. Not vengeance, not the adrenaline pumping through me with each thrilling party. I was losing everything.

I was losing me.

 To be continued.....

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