Home Field Advantage

Chapeter 12

I didn't leave my room at all yesterday.
I convinced my mom I was sick so she wouldn't pester me about going to school. Luckily, she didn't ask to many questions because she was late for work and allowed me and Liam to stay home.

Liam pretty much stayed in his room recovering from a light hangover and I stayed in mine recovering from getting the shit beat out of me. He came in a couple times to talk to me about World Series updates or bring me ice.

He didn't say anything about my face, but I knew it was bad. My left eye was almost swollen shut and mouth hurt so bad I could barely speak.

I eventually had to get out of bed to go to the bathroom where I looked in the mirror and was met by swollen features and a face cover in dried blood.
I removed my shirt and tossed it on the floor studying the bruise spread on my chest. I took a deep breath flinching at the sharp pains I got.

I took a hot shower letting the water soothe my aching skin.
When I got out I put on some sweats and a cozy sweater. I rummaged through our medicine cabinet searching for rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and bandages.

I winced in pain as I attempted to disinfect the cuts and bruises near my left eye and around my jaw.
I bandaged the swelling cut under my eye hoping it will calm down tomorrow.

I didn't even want to think about what was in store for me tomorrow. Not only facing everybody at school but also seeing Noel at work.
There was no getting out of it this time, I called Landon on short notice telling him I wouldn't come in today, I can't miss tomorrow too he would ring my neck.

Just the thought of seeing Noel again after everything that happened Monday made me feel overwhelmed with embarrassment. My breathing increased and tears glasses my eyes.

I blinked them away as I searched the cabinet again but this time for something different this time.

I stopped when my hand touched a certain orange pill bottle.
I held it up to my face making sure it was the one.
I opened the cap after reading my name on the prescription sticker.

They were the, recently refilled, painkillers I was prescribed when I broke my leg.
I poured two pills in my hand and took them.

I took one more long look at myself in the mirror before walking back to my room and collapsing on my bed.

I buried the uninjured side of my face in my pillow and released a long awaited, quiet sob.
The painkillers took over quick, causing me to lose myself in my tears and fall fast asleep.

~~~

I woke up surprisingly early feeling very drained.
I took my time getting up, I reached for my phone that was charging on my bedside table.

I had 2 missed FaceTime calls from Erik and a few text messages from Maryse.
But that was expected, what wasn't, were the 3 messages and miss call I received from Noel.

I opened them immediately, regretting the action as soon as I'd done it. I couldn't help myself though, just the sight of his name on my phone was enough to wake me up.

Noel
Missed call at 12:38

I frowned wondering why he'd called me so late for, then I read the messages.

Noel: R U awake?
12:40 am

Noel: im sorry I know its late I just need to hear your voice
12:42 am