Demons

Chapter Seven: Angela

There's a knock on my bedroom door. I stop crying for the first time in what seems like hours, and hold my breath. What if it's Astrid? She never did knock on the front door. I don't know what to do. After what just happened, I don't know her anymore. It's like she's a complete stranger to me. I decide to hide. I run to my closet and open the door. Right before I step into my closet, my bedroom door opens. My heart gets stuck in my throat and allows no air to pass by. I start to turn slowly and twist my hair, an old habit, off of my neck covered, which is covered in a sheen of sweat. Before I turn fully, however, "Angela," a soft voice beckons. "It's okay, Ange." I sigh in relief; it's only Houston. I turn fully, and see him coming towards me for a hug.

He stops, though, and says, "Oh, Ange, I'm so sorry." With that, my resolve crumbles, and I take the last few steps toward him, a sobbing mess. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.

Houston is my anchor in this world right now. I don't love him like Astrid does, though. He's my best friend, other then Astrid. Houston's like my brother, and I love him for it. He's always been there for me, and me for him. We help each other out. We tell each other everything.

The next words out of his mouth change everything.

"Angela... I haven't been completely honest with you recently." Houston's voice is calming, but the rush of information flooding through my veins is overwhelming. He... He hasn't been completely honest with me? What? I thought he trusted me. I thought we could tell each other everything. Apparently I was wrong, though...

I pull out of the hug, shocked, and look into Houston's eyes, not wanting to believe it. I feel like I can never trust him again. I can't trust anyone.

"How could you?" My voice is hoarse, though I haven't said anything in awhile.

He looks so sad, and he steps forward as he tries to explain, "I didn't mean to-"

I hold up my hand, cutting him off. "I don't even want to hear it. I thought I could trust you. But I guess I was wrong." I turn and hug my torso, trying to push the nausea down, trying to keep myself from throwing up. The ground spins beneath my feet. I set my hand on the wall, trying to stabilize myself. I can't trust anyone. Not Houston, not Astrid. And if I can't trust them, who can I trust? These words play over and over in my head, causing a pounding headache. I turn back to Houston; tears in my eyes blur my vision. "Hou-" my voice breaks. I swallow and try again, "Houston. You just- You just need to go."

"But Astrid-"

"No."

Hanging his head, Houston nods, and walks out the door.

I turn back to my bed, and take a shuddering breath in. I just want to die, I think. I have no one left, nothing to hold but onto. To do that... I make a sudden and drastic decision. I need to meet Astrid.