The Secret Life of Zoë Colt

Chapter 6: In Silence

Josh hasn't talked to me since dinner. We did the dishes in silence. We put away the dishes in silence. We sat on the couch while Josh turned on the TV in silence. We watched our favorite show in silence. We got ready for bed in silence. I felt horrible. I crawled under my sheets and adjusted my pillows. Josh opened the door and light crashed into my room, illuminating the clothes that I never wear strewn across the floor. Most of the were probably too small. Josh opened his mouth as if he were going to say something, then closed it. No "Goodnight Zoë" or "Sleep well Zo" or "See you in the morning sis" or "I hope you sleep terribly Zoë". Anything would be better than this. I had upset Josh. And I knew I would have to upset Chris eventually. I couldn't sleep and I could hear Josh tossing and turning in his bed in the next room as well. What would I say to him? How did I feel about Chris? I had absolutely no doubt I wouldn't be able to sleep all night.
Waking up at six, (I had fallen asleep after about three hours of intense thinking), I became upset, seeing Josh had left a note that said he was going to be out till late tonight. Josh's habits when he is upset are reckless. I needed once again to clear my head. Slipping on my tight gray running pants and a tee shirt, I noticed my hair extension had fallen out onto the floor. Was it an omen? An omen for what? I got my keys, phone, and money to put in a bag for the day. I didn't plan to come home until late either if Josh wouldn't be there. I took a run along the bike path by the river. I only saw a few other people, and none that I knew, which was just fine with me. After tiring myself out so much I couldn't think straight, I sat on a tree stump to cool down. Checking my phone, I saw a text from Faith in the group chat with Riley and me.

Riley: Wanna come over? Parents gone 4 weekend. Girls night?
Faith: sounds good. Be there in a few. Zo?
Me: yes to hangout, Josh mad. Need to be home tonight at some point. Lots 2 talk about. Went 4 a run so have to get back to neighborhood. Be there in 20

I ran quickly to Riley's house. I had thought about what to say to them as well. I entered her house without knocking (homie status rule 3) and both Faith and Riley stood up.
"Babe, spill," Faith said.
I told them all. Faith frowned when I got to the kiss, and Riley tried to hide laughter unsuccessfully.
"What you need," Riley started after I had finished. "is some good old-fashioned girl time. Common, get up. Her and Faith pulled me off the bean bag I had rested on and dragged me to the bathroom.
"First of all, shower," Faith said. "You smell like shit."
"What do you expect? I went for a run," I say defensively as they shove me into the shower while still in my clothes.
"Wash up! Towel's on the counter,"
Riley yelled.
I peeled off my clothes and adjusted the temperature.
A girls day was exactly what I needed.