Just One

Chapters 5 and 6

Chapter 5 – ANNA: "Just a little indisposed."

I'm not going to class today. I can't control the tears; they flow without any effort. Furthermore, I feel as if my soul is drenched. I'm breathing hard, and my sobs intensify with every memory that comes to mind. I'm exhausted, I'm not hungry, I'm not thirsty, and I don't even want to shower because I don't want to lose his scent on me. "Oh, how it hurts." I feel a tight knot in my chest.

My mother knocks softly on my bedroom door, asking for permission to enter. "Anna, let's get out of bed, dear! Let's react. You told me last time that you wouldn't let yourself get down. Let's take a shower, wash away this sadness. Nobody's dead, Anna. He'll be back in a few days."

"Mom, just leave me here a little longer, please. I'll be up in a minute."

My mother leaves the room. I take a deep breath, sitting on the edge of the bed, gathering the courage to go to the bathroom. The urge to cry is still present, and though I lack energy and my chest aches, I stand up and walk over to the mirror above the sink. I look at my reflection, and the desire to cry increases even more. I cry deeply until I lose my breath. With my hands resting on the sink and my head tilted down, looking at my own feet, I inhale and exhale for a few minutes and decide to react. I turn on the shower and let the water run over my head. I really want to wash this sadness away.

While I'm getting dressed in my "sadness outfit", which is nothing more than my gray sweat shorts and my white T-shirt with SpongeBob on the front, my cell phone rings. My eyes are so swollen that I can barely open them and see what's written on the screen. I blink twice and read the word "Nick" on the caller ID. I think: "Nick calling at this hour? But it's not break time now." I swallow my saliva to clear my throat and try to sound normal.

"Hello, Nick?"

"Hi, Anna. Sorry to call you, but I'm worried about you. Are you all, right? Are you sick? You didn't go to school yesterday or today. Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like a Frappuccino from Starbucks? I can bring it to you."

"Hey, Nick. I'm fine. Just a little indisposed, cramps, you know?" Cramps and PMS are always good excuses for feeling unwell.

"That's good, Anna. I'm relieved to hear that, but don't you really want a Starbucks Frappuccino? I've heard that a chocolate brownie is excellent for colic, hahaha."

I think he wants to come over to my house, but if he sees my face now, he'll think I'm dying. "Nick, let's save it for tomorrow, okay? We can talk at school."

I was actually curious to hear his news with Cass. I think it would distract me, but with that face, that puffy eye, it's not going to happen.

"Okay, Anna. Just know that I'm here for whatever you need. You don't really know me yet, but you've gained a true friend. If you want to talk, vent or even just chat, you can call me. I'll always be there for you. Call me if you need anything, okay? Take care!"

"Nick, you're a sweetheart. I'm very happy to hear that, and I'm sure we'll be great friends. Stay safe!" I'd want to talk to someone, but nobody deserves to look at this worn-out face.