Crash Into Me

Chapter Seventeen: Alli

I drearily tilt my head over from my face-down position on the bed and glance over at my phone lying still next to me. It finally stopped buzzing with the same hideous picture of me from eight years ago. I cringe at the recollection of that image that's forever burned into my memory. In it, scratch marks angrily cover my face, eye make-up smeared under my eyes and lipstick smudged. Bruises sporadically mark my tiny arms. My dark brown, previously neatly curled hair, is ratty and tangled. I look like I haven't slept in days and my eyes are empty and emotionless. I'm barely recognizable--a shell of my former happy-go-lucky self.

I keep trying to think of who could possibly know that much information about me and why they would want to in the first place. And how do they know about Eli? How did they get my phone number? What do they want from me? Hundreds of questions swirl around in my head in a never-ending spiral.

I let out a huff and pick up my phone, scrolling through my contacts. Part of me tries to talk myself out of calling her. It's been so long since we last talked and I feel guilty reaching out to her under these circumstances. Deciding against it, I lock my phone and place it back down on the bed, sitting there staring at the wall for a few more moments. I shake my head and pick it back up and find the name I was looking for. Clicking on it, I put my phone to my ear and hope she picks up. I debate hanging up, but before I get the chance, a voice resonates from the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" She sounds like she's unsure who it is. 

"Rachael?" I sniffle.

"Alli?" The voice on the other end sounds surprised to hear from me, and rightfully so. 

"I'm think I'm in trouble." I try to keep my voice from cracking, but I can feel the lump in my throat trying to choke me. 

"What kind of trouble?" I can hear the worry in her tone.

"Someone knows about that night and I think they might be trying to use it to blackmail me or something. I'm scared and I don't know what to do."

"Who knows?" Rachael says in a hushed manner.

"That's the thing...I don't know who it is. They're texting me from a number I don't recognize. More than one number, actually." 

She takes a few seconds to respond, finally saying, "Do you still live at the same apartment?"

"Yeah, I'm still there."

"I'll be right over. Give me half an hour." The sound of her grabbing her keys and closing her door is muffled in the background.

"Thanks, Rach." I breathe a soft breath of quiet relief. Knowing she's on her way soothes me.

"Don't mention it. Hang tight, I'll be there soon."

***

"Rachael!" I hug her tightly and feel the warm return of her hugging me back. She's lost weight since I last saw her a few years ago. She's leaner and still as tall as ever. Her hair is dyed a darker black color and her familiar blue eyes melt away my anxieties. It's so good to see an old friend.

"Are you okay?" She's holding my arms and stretches me back to get a better look at me.

"Yeah, I'm just a little shaken up, that's all. Thank you for coming to see me. It's been so long."

"It's been too long. I'm just glad you're okay. Let's sit down and talk."

I nod my head and walk over to the couch, sitting down next to her.

"So what exactly happened? Tell me everything. Start from the beginning." Rachael sits back on one of the decorative pillows.

"Well, I met someone." My heart clenches at the memory of Eli and the way things ended tonight.