The River Speaks

Chapter Seventeen: Drunken Bet

Chapter Seventeen: Drunken Bet

My feet slap against the treadmill. Check Yes, Juliet by We The Kings is blasting through my earbuds.

I turn up the incline and the speed, my legs burning.

Good.

After sitting at work all day, I desperately needed this.

My hour is up in five minutes and then I'm going upstairs for a shower.

In no time, my five minutes is up and I get off the treadmill with my phone, going upstairs.

The elevator dings to let me on and I hit the number nine.

It soars up to my floor and I get off, walking down to my apartment door.

I unlock it and the moment my door is open, my phone starts ringing.

I glance down at my screen and sigh slightly.

Aiden.

I hit answer.

"If you're calling to make sure I'm alive, you're in luck. I'm still breathing."

I hear him sigh.

"You haven't left the house for anything but work since we got back to Boston a month ago."

"That's not true." I say. "I go grocery shopping. I've been to the gas station-"

"Lily. I'm serious. You're depressed."

I shut the door and walk into the kitchen to get a water from my fridge. I drop my keys on the counter.

"Can you blame me?" I ask, balancing the phone with my head and shoulder so I can unscrew my water cap.

"I don't blame you." He says. "But you need to leave the house."

"I really don't."

"I'm going out with my friend tonight and you're coming."

"I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Aiden-"

"I will show up at your door, pick the lock, and drag you out by your feet. And keep in mind I'm a felon, so I know how to pick a lock."

I take a few sips of water.

"Fine. Is it your friend Reese?"

"Yes. And his flavor of the week Marisa."

I grumble quietly and then sigh. "I'll come for an hour."

"Great. Be at my house in an hour. Dress to be outside."

He hangs up on me.

I scoff and drop my phone on the counter, walking to the bathroom. I start the shower and strip down, putting my clothes in the hamper.

I get in the hot spray and wash my hair and body. I shave and then get out and brush my hair. While it's still wet, I brush through it and leave it to air dry, walking to my bedroom in a towel.

There's going to be another girl there.

I need to convince Aiden that I'm not depressed even though it doesn't take a psychologist to know that I am.

I don't really care though, so I grab a pair of light blue skinny jeans jeans and a black tank top. I pull on a green U.S. Air Force sweatshirt on from my brother. I put on white converse and glance at the clock.

I need to be there in ten minutes.

I'll be late. Whatever.

I roll on deodorant and go brush my teeth. My hair is still wet and it's October. Halloween is in a week so it's a little chilly outside.