I opened my eyes as the sun streaming through my bedroom window became too bright to pretend to sleep anymore. I had gotten absolutely no sleep since Jess texted me and my eyes felt puffy and swollen from crying. What was I going to do? I was an absolute mess all because I’m incredibly stupid.
I do know that I need to get myself composed so that I can at least face Jess today. I don’t want her to think anything’s wrong and I especially don’t want to upset her. We may not be any more than friends but I was going to damn well make sure I was the best friend I could be and I’m going to support her in whatever she wanted to do.
I slowly got out of bed, noticing that for the first time in weeks I wasn’t greeted by that annoying as hell cough which already brightened my day a tiny bit. I grabbed my phone as I walked out of my room and saw that I had a missed call. I stared at the number for a few minutes and suddenly stopped in my tracks. It was a Georgia number, not one that I recognized but that was where it was from nonetheless. I threw my phone down suddenly like it was a hot iron scalding my hand. I left it where it fell and walked quickly into the kitchen, not caring If it was broken or not.
I busied myself with making some breakfast but no matter how busy I kept my hands I couldn’t keep my mind from wandering back toward that call. Who could be trying to get in contact with me? Who could possibly have found out my number here and better yet, what did they want from me? I shook my head as I threw my newly made toast on a plate and headed into the living room. Maybe it would be best to just leave it alone. My parents made it obvious they wanted nothing to do with me and I had no desire to go back where I wasn’t wanted. I don’t know who else could possibly try to get a hold of me.
I turned on the TV and sat down, trying to eat the food I had made. I tried to simply focus one whatever show was on at that moment because the last thing I wanted to think about right now was home. More than anything, I just wanted Jess here. She helped me keep myself together when I felt broken. She would know what to do.
-------------------------------------------------------
I must have somehow fallen asleep on the couch because I suddenly felt myself being shaken violently awake. I heard someone yelling my name over and over and I jumped violently as I was startled awake.
“Elena! Elena, are you okay?!” I heard Jess’s frantic voice yelling desperately right in my damn ear.
“What?” I said, my voice breaking slightly from being asleep so long. I looked up to see Jess standing over me looking very concerned. “Of course I’m okay. Why are you freaking out?”
I could actually see Jess’s whole body relax as she realized I was indeed, just fine. She sat down on the couch beside me as I sat up and gave her a questioning look.
“I texted you an hour ago to tell you I was at home and when you didn’t answer I started calling your phone. I must have called a hundred times and you wouldn’t pick up. I thought something awful had happened,” she spoke quickly.
“Oh, shit sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I told her as I laid against the arm of the couch. I was still incredibly tired despite the unplanned nap.
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” she said. She started to say something else but I was struck by the realization that Jess was here. Here and not in New York. I suddenly sat up and quickly pulled her into a hug, refusing to let go for however long.
“So you missed me then?” she laughed as she returned the embrace.
I nodded furiously against her shoulder as she continued to laugh at me. I wasn’t joking at all I really did miss her. A lot.
