The House Project

Chapter 8- Sleepover

As the black shrouded figures advance, I know I have lost the battle. I will not survive the night. The air is filled with thick smoke, from the fires of the many other burning bodies. I know that soon, I will join them. The figures stop, and bring up two bony hands to remove their hoods. I gasp at the faces. James, Jessica, my mother and Mike stand before me with tight grimaces on their faces. They give a cackling laugh, I scream.

"Ahh!" I yell as my dream ends and I fall off the bed. I groan and get up, hobbling to the bathroom. Once there, I look at myself in the mirror. I almost shriek at the sight. My jaw and chin are totally bruised, leaving it all a dark blue. It throbs when I open my mouth, I'm totally screwed.

Half an hour later, I'm all ready to go to Mike's. Even though it will be totally awkward, it's still my job. Looking in the mirror one last time, I inspect my jaw, still as bruised as ever. I wrap a scarf around my neck, just to be safe. You cant see it anymore.

Once in my car, I drive the short 10 minute drive to Mike's house. His truck isn't there, did he forget that we were meeting today? I exit my car and walk up to his door, knocking. Less then 30 seconds later, Mike opens the door, in a towel, dripping wet. Why does this feel like déjavu? He looks surprised to see me, but then the look is turned into a frown. He narrows his eyes. "Why are you here Isabella?" He asks. Even though its an innocent question, my heart aches. "Um, I work for you, did you not want me too come today, I must have missed your call." I say, pulling out my phone and checking- 0 missed calls.

"Um no, I didn't call you, I just didn't expect you to come today." He says honestly. "Oh well, I'm sorry I can leave if you want." I say, biting my lip. "No that's okay, you can come in." He says stepping aside. I walk inside and he closes the door behind me. Then I hear feet padding down the hallway towards us. "Mike, who was at the door?" A females voice asks. Coming into view is a skinny dark haired girl, barley 5 feet tall, wearing a pair of skimpy underwear and one of Mikes button up shirts. My eyes widen in surprise and for some unknown reason, my heart thuds painfully in my chest. I turn to face Mike, hoping my face doesn't betray me. "Oh you have company, I shouldn't have come." I breath out. I almost sprint to the door and open it. Walking outside. "Isabella wait!" Mike yells, coming outside and closing the door behind him. He grabs my shoulder to turn me around and the scarf falls off. Great.

His eyes widen as he stares at my jaw. "Isabella... What happened." He whispers, bringing his hand up like he wants to touch it and then dropping it back down to his side. "Oh um James came to visit." I say, sniffling. "What?" He yells in outrage. "Mike its fine, I should go and let you get back to your, um girl person." I say lamely, turning and walking the short distance to my car. I open my car door, but turn back to face him. "Ill give my designer friend your number, she can finish the job." I say to him. I get into my car and give him one last glance. He stands there as still as a statue. But his once horrified face, has now morphed into one of anger. I drive out of his driveway for the last time.

I drive for what seems like hours, but by the clock on the dash, proves to only be 15 minutes. I pull into a Starbucks, choosing the drivethru, as to not scare people with my bruise. I left my scarf at Mikes. I order a large Caffé Espresso Frappucchino, not caring about the calories or the fact that its the middle of winter and I'm ordering a cold drink.

At the window I give the girl the correct amount of money and she hands me my drink. I take a drink and the cold substance swirls around my mouth. This drink always makes me happy when I'm in a bad mood. I drive out of Starbucks and soon find myself parked in my usual parking spot at my apartment building. I get out and rush inside, out of the wind. 

I nod in Georges direction and take the stairs again, slower this time. Not being in any hurry to be anywhere. Once I get up to my floor I stop dead in my tracks. There is a silhouette of a person a little ways down the hall. Definitely male, and I might just be paranoid but he looks to be standing by my door. Is it James? I gulp down the last bit of my drink and throw it in the trash bin by the wall. Good news is, he doesn't seem to have noticed me yet. Get a grip Isabella. If its James, you can probably run faster then he can anyway. Just move your feet.