Arrogance: Volume One of Ebb & Flow

Chapter 15 - Unexpected

I wake up, and agonizing pain rips through me as I try to get out of bed. My side is exceptionally tender, and the slightest graze makes me wince. I hobble over to the bathroom to take a look at the damage. Well, that is not good. My left side is a splattering of various shades of red and purple. Something is definitely broken. I'm going to school to be an engineer, not a doctor, and I can still tell how bad this is. The discoloration of my skin looks like a child's painting. I'm going to have to put everything else on hold, and I need to get to a doctor. I can't go to St. Augustine; it's too easy to connect the dots between Aubrey and me. Then people will wonder why I dumped her there instead of bringing her in myself. So I have to go to one farther away, like Crimton. I just left that place, and now I might have to go back.

A knock at my door startles me. "Gimme a second, Dad. I'm just changing." I rush out of the bathroom and quickly put on some jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. The fabric irritates my injury, but I can deal with it. I head to the door and open it, expecting my father. Instead of seeing him, Maria is standing there with a mischievous look. And there goes any chance of me seeing a doctor. I break into a smile and pull her into the doorway. What is she doing here?

"Hey, didn't know you were coming over. Must've missed your text."

"Well, since my boyfriend seems to be avoiding me, I figured I'd just show up. I couldn't risk you escaping out the window," she joked.

She's disguising it as a joke, but she's clearly upset. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I couldn't tell something was wrong? She's been by my side for years and never caused me any problems. There needs to be a way for me to end things amicably without hurting her. She has been nothing short of a perfect partner. Should I get her a gift to thank her for the relationship? I have never broken up with anyone before.

"Sorry, just with losing over a month to unconsciousness, I'm behind on pretty much everything. I still have a ton of stuff to get done for college and moving and, and, and." I let out a sigh. "And none of that is an excuse for being shitty and distant. Can you please find it in your gigantic heart to forgive me?"

I've practiced this tone that sits right between self-deprecating and genuine enough that it should be a pretty believable apology. She used humor to bring up a problem she has, so by reciprocating similarly, I can resolve the issue without it becoming an argument. Meet kindness with kindness and sincerity with sincerity. People appreciate it when you meet them halfway.

Truthfully, I have been treating our relationship very poorly since the party. The emergence of my ability and now the creation of Nobody are far more alluring than playing house with Maria. If I'm not careful, this could end our relationship. That's what I want, isn't it? To be freed to do whatever I want without having burdensome connections? Maria's value was in making Eryk Blakely appear normal, but Eryk Blakely's current rendition is coming to an end. I will radically change to fit my new life in Quinstin, becoming someone who doesn't need Maria. So the question becomes, is there any reason not to end this here and now? There isn't, but I owe her one last perfect day. I will break things off with her tonight and let Daniel know I want to move into my new place early.

"You're lucky the girl you're dating is gracious enough to forgive you. But you'll have to make it up to me somehow."

Her mischievous look from earlier is back, tinged with a promise of something more. I need to distract her. If we get intimate, I have no way to explain the bruises. And sex will only aggravate my injury. I get closer, kissing Maria's forehead before moving past her.

"I'll make it up to you. We'll spend the whole day together, just the two of us. Let's start with Dave's Diner for breakfast."

"Eryk, it's one in the afternoon."