Flipped (L.T.)

Chapter 23: Comfort

<LOUIS' POV>

What must she be thinking right now. I mean, earlier Eliza wanted me to stay with her, and now that I've told her that I was sleeping in her room as well, she hasn't said a thing. Gah, I knew I should've slept on the couch! But no, that crazy old lady said it'd be best to share the room. Its big enough for two. Theres an old futon on the other end so I made camp there, using the extra blankets and quilts my nan had laying around. She must not have seen it since hardly any lights are on.

Eliza opens the door to the cold, dark room. The rush of a/c pushes past us and I see Eliza shiver out the corner of my eye. My first instinct is to take her under my arm and walk to the bed like I'd do with my sisters but I hesitate. Would she want me to do that? She was clutching onto me earlier so would it be okay?

My second-guessing makes me lose the chance as she strolls forward. I mentally sigh, trudging to my side to turn on a lamp. The vintage cover adds a strange hue to the room; a mix between a burgundy color and a crisp yellow. My nan needs to invest in new lamps.

"It looks like autumn."

I almost forgot I'm not the only one in here. I'm reminded with the soft voice on the other side of the room. Eliza is sitting cross-legged in her bed, peering up at the ceiling where the colors are most vivid. The color of the lamp has made her a different shade as well. Her once fair skin is more saturated with red, giving her a rosy look. Her hair is now hinted with yellow, making an almost brindle pattern. Shes like a painting.

"Yeah.. I suppose so."

We both sit on our sides, gazing at the ceiling. Its not like stars when they shine and new ones arrive as the night continues, or like a movie when the picture shifts to something else. It stays the exact same, never changing its shape or color; yet I cant look away. I feel as though if I did, I'd miss something.

I hear the squeaky mattress creak on the other side of the room, followed by footsteps padding towards me. I let my eyes fall from the ceiling just in time to see Eliza crawl onto the futon with me.

"What are you-"

"The view is better over here." She says, and slides her legs to the side. My eyes catch something white on her heel. A bandage?

"Um, Eliza? What happened to your foot?" I don't expect her to tell me but its worth a try. Now that shes closer to me, I feel the need to talk and not just gawk at her. The knot in my throat would only build up with the growing tension.

She quickly slides her feet under herself and scoots back from me. "Nothing, I just cut my self."

"On your heel? What did you do, step on glass?" She is such a klutz.

Her face hardens as she tries to hide the oncoming blush. So she did step on glass. Now would be the perfect opportunity to tease her for not wearing shoes like a normal person but I'll save it for another time.

"Is it feeling better?" I ask instead. It tastes weird coming from my mouth. Asking if shes okay is not something I'm used to. But I'd like to be.. If she'll tell me.

"Yeah.." She says softly and shifts her focus back to her nails.

"Thats uh, good. Glad to hear."

I can see the goosebumps appear on her skin as a wave of cool air passes by again. I take the blanket resting on my lap and throw it over her shoulders. Once again, she doesn't say anything, just staring at the ground and picking her nails.

For the longest time I've been wanting to ask about her outburst earlier. She hasn't spoken up about it or acted any differently because of it. The longer its not brought up, the more I start to think that I dreamt it all and nothing really happened. I swear it did though. I can still feel Eliza's hands shaking as her tears soaked my jumper. I can hear her weary sobs begging for me to stay.