Mixed Messages ~ {d.w}

➵Thirty Six

Ouch... That one really hurt.

"Hey, you alright? Lizzy, I didn't mean to make ya-"

"Would you shut up!?" I suddenly scream, jumping up from my chair and slamming my hands down onto the surface. They stung but I was too upset to notice. The table shook, my bowl of ice cream tipping over from the sheer force. Jason's was in his hands as he silently stares at me. I blink for a few seconds. My vision was blurry. I don't have a concussion. A droplet of water splashes on my hand. I look down to see it was a tear. I was crying, again. I look around the room, feeling myself in a hazy state. I sit back in a huff, keeping my eyes and head low. "Sorry," I mumble out, picking back up my ice cream.

"It's okay," Jason calmly says, "you feeling okay?" He eyes me, then the audience around us. I had attracted some unwanted stares.

I stare at the melting treat. I was no longer in an ice cream mood. "I, uh," my eyes look around, "I need a minute." I spot a bathroom. A way out. I get up, leaving the bowl and Jason at the table.

I push open the door, my hands catching on the sink. I lean my weight again it, looking in my mirror. Every time I look in a mirror, I always see someone different.

Was I an innocent little girl living on the streets?

Was I a normal girl?

Was I a lonely soul?

Was I the girl with a warm heart and a cold soul?

Or the girl with a cold heart and a warm soul?

Who was I?

I couldn't deal with my thoughts. Damian was right. How could someone like him, love someone like me? I wanted to leave badly but that would be running away from all my problems. Who cares though? Damian's better off without me, Jason, he doesn't even love me. He doesn't even know who I am. I don't even know who I am. I built my whole life on a computer screen. But no human is made of circuits and wires, they're made of a heart and lungs.

I saw an open window. And I climbed out of it.

OUTGOING MESSAGES
2:33 pm

Echo:

"Tyler. I accept your offer."
"One on condition."

Tetch:

"Anything you want, Alice."

Echo:

"I join when everything's in motion."
"The past stays the past and we work as equals."

Tetch:

"Fine by me, Lizzy."
"When do things... go into motion?"

Echo:

"At least 20 hours."

Tetch:

"Alright, Lizzy. Meet where it all started."

Why did I have to yell at her? Surely Alice was only upset. I look back through the series of texts I exchanged with her. This was by far, not one of my finest moments. Alice hasn't said anything back. I know I must've hurt her. Anyone would be hurt if they were told that their family didn't love them.

"Hey, short stack, Shrimp get back yet?"

I look at Todd. What on earth was he trying to say? The Lazarus put must have done something with his mind to make him say something as useless as that. "Todd, shrimp cannot live without water. Nor has there ever been a shrimp in Wayne Manor," I cross my arms. "Unless one of your 'friends', as you like to call them, has been here recently."

Todd wasn't very impressed with that. He carried his motorcycle helmet in one arm and his keys were left dangling out of his hand. He looks out of breath like he was in a rush to find me.

I roll my eyes. Alice said she went out with Jason for food. "Where's Echo?" I ask. I was hoping she'd be with him, then I could talk with her about what happened.

"You don't know? The kid just upped and left! Ditched me by sneaking out the window in the bathroom!"