My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Breathless

The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. I had spent Tuesday volunteering and Wednesday being productive at work since Annabeth took it off for doctor's appointments. Bash and I had planned to go to an early dinner before his flight took off for New York on Thursday so now, I am running around my room trying to get out of my work clothes to try and make myself more presentable in the short time I have before Bash gets here. I quickly pull on my nice jeans and pair them with a new bright-pink tank top I ordered online with Annabeth last week. I have noticed that I have been shopping differently since dating Bash, I don't show as much cleavage, wear shorts that are frayed around my butt cheeks or wear tops that reveal the bit of skin above my jeans. I've felt older and more put together since he came around and I like the change. I still wear my cowboy boots and converse though because I am still about comfort over fashion.

I slide my hair through my curling iron quickly and as I am spritzing hair spray onto my long blonde waves I hear Austin's distinct laugh float up the stairs. I then hear Ryan's laugh and my stomach flips as the front door slams shut. I freeze as I listen to their loud lively voices and I swallow my anxiety over seeing Ryan down into my sour stomach. I know my car is parked right out front of the door so they both know I am here.

I continue to panic over Ryan being in my house for a moment and I realize I am not ready to face him. I don't want to see if he looks as good as he did when he left or hear how great New York is. I also don't want to run into him and feel a spark or a longing. I'm supposed to have fully moved on now. I don't want to be in a weird funk on my date before saying goodbye to Bash for the weekend either.

I hear their voices move to the back of the house and they must now be in the kitchen. I glance at my clock and see that Bash is going to be here in about ten minutes. I do not want him coming to the door and Austin answering it with Ryan lingering behind him. I also don't want Austin to say something stupid to him either.

I look down at the tall wedge sandals I have on and quickly kick them off as I make my plan. I stuff my feet into my converse and strut over to the window as I sling my small purse across my body. I can climb down the trellis and meet Bash at the bottom of the driveway so there are no interactions between anyone. I'd rather get a little dusty than combust from anxiety.

I slide my window up and see the sun is lingering over the fluffy green treeline. It's that perfect summer night warm where anything feels possible. Summer is almost officially here and the air around me seems as excited as I am.

I step out of the window carefully and realize it's been a while since I've had to escape this way. I slide the window down and steadily climb across the roof over to the side of the house. I hear the screen door kick open as I take my first step down the white wooden trellis and I have to push some of the scratchy vines away to get a good grip. I then hear Ryan's voice saying something about the warm weather followed by his footsteps on the patio, so I try and climb as quietly as I can. Austin says something to him as I try to pick up my speed so they don't see me hanging onto the side of the house.

I go to find a foothold mid-way down when the wooden slate my hand is holding onto gives way. I try to pull on a vine to keep me against the trellis but the entire thing breaks loose with a loud snap before I can get a grip. I let out a panicked shriek as I fall backward and my foot gets caught in a vine, so I am sent to the hard ground sideways. As soon as I hit the ground, I feel and hear my shoulder pop out of its place. The sharp pain almost makes me physically sick but having the wind knocked out of me keeps me from verbally shouting out. I hold back tears as I clutch onto my limp and lifeless left arm. It's only been seconds since I hit the grass and both Austin and Ryan have already come running.

"What the hell are you doing Sawyer?" Austin snaps when he sees me on the ground and Ryan's eyes go to the broken trellis. He runs over to me as he says, "Did you just fall off that." I nod as I clutch onto my shoulder, afraid that if I verbally respond back I'll start crying. Austin comes to kneel next to me and his hands go to my shoulder, "Jesus, don't move. You dislocated your shoulder." I drop my head back against the grass and between bursts of breath I cry out, "How do you know?"