A Timeless Place

Chapter 38

Saving Hangovers and Friendships One at a Time

There was someone banging around in the bathroom. Did Eli finally come back home? I rubbed my head and checked my phone. It was 2 in the morning. I was still at Eli's. Wes and I had stayed up chatting on the couch until I had fallen asleep. I had heard him disappear for a few moments before a blanket was thrown over me. Wes tucked the soft blanket around me, kissed me and left through the front door.

I heard a strangled retching noise from the bathroom. Quickly throwing the blanket off me, I ran to the bathroom to find Eli leaning over the toilet basin vomiting.

"Eli?" I came behind her hesitantly.

"Go away," she grumbled, shielding her face from my sight.

"What happened?" I put a hand on her. She looked defenceless from here, worn out.

"Drank too much," she closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool tile floor.

I stood up to grab a wad of tissues from the counter to wet them before crouching down beside Eli to wipe her face.

"Did you just get back?" I asked as I cleaned her up.

She nodded weakly, "Got help here."

"I noticed," I smirked at her. "Jordan, huh?"

With that mention, she retched again, but held it in this time.

"No- Jan," Eli corrected me. She was silent for a moment before she whispered. "I'm an idiot, Kitty. Such an idiot."

I opened my mouth to protest but she cut me off, continuing in that low weak voice, "I don't know what happened. One minute we were just dancing, then we got a bit drunk and one thing led to another. I've ruined my friendship with him."

"Well, you were always a truthful drunk," I commented. She gave me an exasperated look, so I became serious.

"Eli, he loves you. Trust me, he does," I told her, looking her straight in the eyes. "So if you're worried about his feelings, don't be."

"It's not his feelings I'm worried about," she said feebly.

I froze into place. Was Jordan about to be heartbroken with unrequited love? I asked slowly, making sure, "Don't you like him, Eli?"

"I do," she sighed. "But that's not it."

"Then what is it?" I prodded on. But she closed her eyes leaning against the wall in support.

"Never mind now, Eli," I said, moving to get up. "Get some rest and you and Jordan can talk about it tomorrow, well today, at his house."

"His house?" Eli looked up at me in confusion.

"Remember, he invited you to practice the play?" I reminded her. "The thing you wanted to drag me to out of my free will?"

"Ahh," she looked so close to passing out, her eyes barely even open. Eli wasn't accustomed to staying up late like I was. "I cancelled on him. He went home."

"Okay, then we have a lot to discuss tomorrow," I gently pulled her up. She fell against me and I carried most of her weight to the sink where she washed her mouth. I tried to brush her teeth as much as I could, but she was a drooping mess.

I gave up and dragged her across to her room to lay her under the bed covers. I tucked her in, first with the blanket and then with the doona the way she preferred just right under her chin. I never understood why she needed so many layers.