. It was a few minutes before I could move but when I did, I ran straight to the bathroom and locked myself in. I didn't understand. What had happened? Why had he acted like that?
There was only one explanation. Bill didn't like me anymore, he didn't want me around. Something must have happened on tour. Did he realize he could do better for a friend? Did he find someone better? Someone more in his league? Then a thought struck me. Did he somehow find out about my crush and was repulsed by it?
I looked at myself in the mirror. Compared to any of the girls he could have, I was certainly no beauty. My blonde hair fell to mid-back and though it was smooth when I'd arrived, it was now a bit wild. I ran my fingers through it, examining my face in the mirror. I had an oval face, with blue-grey eyes, a narrow nose and upper lip with a slightly fuller lower lip. I stared hard at my reflection, as if it could tell me what was wrong with me.
A knock on the door broke my revelry. I walked over to the door but hesitated with my hand on the doorknob. What if it was Bill?
"Elizabeth? It's me." Tom's voice came out muffled through the door. I let out my breath and opened the door. He took a good look at my face before cursing softly.
Taking my hand he led me from the bathroom back down the hall to his room next to Bill's. He motioned me towards the bed while he shut the door. Then he took a seat next to me and looked me over again before opening his mouth.
"What did Bill do?" he asked finally.
That was all it took for the tears to begin spilling over again. In starts and stops I told him everything-the promises to hang out, my confusion and hurt every time he blew me off, the look in the basement, the scene in his bedroom, and finally, the conclusions I'd drawn while staring at my reflection in the bathroom. Other than cursing again once I'd finished and looking murderously angry, Tom didn't say anything and just let me cry.
I think I fell asleep eventually because the next time I opened my eyes, the room was considerably darker and I was lying down on the bed next to Tom with my head resting in his lap. His hands were gently running through my hair. It felt nice. Then I remembered why I woke up, someone knocked on the door. Tom, who must've seen that I was awake, tugged a little on my hair in warning as the door opened. I closed my eyes and pretended to still be asleep.
Bill's POV
I strode from the room leaving Elizabeth behind. I dropped the jacket she'd given back on the banister as I walked downstairs. I felt cold inside. I know I'd messed up before by promising to hang out and then having to back out every time but I guess she wasn't as upset about it as I'd thought she'd be. She sure looked cozy with Gustav in the basement. I shook my head to try to clear my thoughts as my heart spasmed. I didn't want to think about that. I could hear the TV and guessed that that was where Tom and Gustav were. I stood in the hallway, debating. I didn't really want to face either of them but I didn't have anything better to do. They both looked up when I sat down.
"Where's Elizabeth?" Gustav asked me. I shrugged and looked away.
"Bill..." Tom warned. He knew something was up. Elizabeth and I were usually inseparable.
"I don't know where she is. When I left, she was still upstairs." I told him, irritated.
"Scheiβe." Tom said standing up. He pointed at Gustav. "You, talk to him."
And with that he disappeared. Gustav turned off the TV and we sat there in silence for a while.
"What happened?" he asked finally. "She was so happy to see you."
I scoffed. "Yeah, sure. That's why the two of you looked real comfortable in the basement."
He just sighed and shook his head. "You are so blind," he muttered.
