Falling

Chapter Three

 My mind and body groggy, I awoke the next morning with a crazy hangover and a craving. My body ached in a way it never had before and my skin was covered in a glean of sweat. I took a moment to get my bearings, realizing all too quickly that I was most definitely not in my own bedroom, and instead was still at Alexander's house.

Suddenly, my stomach lurched and I stumbled out of bed, clutching my abdomen. Something was definitely not right, and the only cure for me was all the way across town at my house.

It took me a few tries before I was finally able to slide my feet into my shoes; as soon as I finally did I stumbled out the bedroom door and headed for the stairs. As I reached the top of the staircase I could hear movement downstairs; bottles clinked and cans rattled together, Alexander must have been cleaning.

My stomach churned again and I dropped down into a crouch, holding my arms around myself in pain. Everything hurt, I had to get home.

With Alexander hopefully distracted by cleaning I slowly stood back up and crept down the stairs. On the last stair the floorboard creaked beneath my weight and I flinched at the sound. I froze, listening for Alexander to come running, but the sounds of cans and bottles rattling together continued. Blowing out a breath I moved off the last step and walked quietly to the front door. It opened with no sound and I silently praised my sudden good luck as I stepped outside and let the door close softly behind me.

My shoes crunched along the gravel as I made my way down the long driveway. There were only a few cars along the sides of the drive and I finally spotted mine, much farther down than I had remembered it being when I parked it last night.

As I neared my car my fingers slid into my pocket, but they came out empty and I stopped in my tracks. I checked my other pockets frantically, cursing loudly. Alexander had taken my keys last night.

I ran my fingers through my hair, yanking hard when I came to a knot, ripping out strands as I went, relishing in the pain. I turned, but as my eyes raked back up the driveway to the house I realized it seemed to be too long to walk, so instead I pressed my back against my car and slid down to the ground.

My whole body was in pain now and I hugged my knees up to my chest, resting my head between them. I had known the party was a bad idea, but I had just wanted one night. One night to go back to how things used to be. One night to have fun with friends and forget about whatever was bothering us.

My stomach lurched and I barely had enough time to lean over before I dry heaved onto the gravel. My body felt like it was eating away at itself as I gagged and coughed, my skin breaking out in a cold sweat. The sound of my heaving was so loud I didn't even hear the footsteps crunching up the gravel towards me.

"Amelia!" A rough voice coughed out, but I felt too weak to even lift my head. "What are you doing out here?"

Alexander crouched down beside me and I felt the warmth of his hand seep through my shirt onto my arm.

"C'mon, let me help you back to the house."

"No!" I managed to croak out as he began to lift me to my feet, making him pause for a moment. "I need to go home."

Alexander sighed heavily.

"You're too sick to go home. Besides, I can't let you drive like this. Just please, come back inside."

I was standing now, but my legs were unsteady and threatened to give out beneath me. I'd be sitting on my butt if Alexander hadn't been holding me up.

"I need to go home," I repeated, more forcefully this time.

"Amelia please-" Alexander started, but I cut him off.