Falter

Chapter 11 - false suspicions

ELIZA

I should not be hurting. I don't have any right. We just kissed, he said sorry, he wanted to be friends and that's it. My Air pods were still on when the cabbie pulled over in the front of my apartment. I paid him and went out. My headache is getting worse and worse every minute. As I was about to open my door, a delivery man with a whole basket of sunflowers walked up to me.

"Miss Eliza Williams?" The man with his blue overalls looked at his tablet and looked at me. Who could possibly send me these?

"Delivery for you."

"Where's it from?" I asked and signed.

"It's an anonymous delivery, Ma'am." he said and quickly walked away. I looked at the basket and checked if there's anything on the card that gives the mystery man away.

Women like you drown oceans

The card said in typewritten font. No initials, no nothing. I remember this quote, I read Rupi Kaur's work so many times not to know it. But who could possibly give me flowers? I have never had anyone really give me flowers aside from those I receive when it's my birthday and whenever a project ends and everyone celebrates.

I picked up the semi-heavy basket and opened the door to my apartment. I miss Montgomery rushing through the front door just to see me and leave me to fend for myself the whole day. A tubby, Siamese cat I got when I was younger. But MontG, as I call him, is in Perth with my Mom. I put the basket on the counter and it looked so awkward in my apartment. It's the only lively color I have here. I don't have any time to redecorate.

I walked to the fridge and grabbed some water. Holding my glass, I checked my phone for any important messages and emails. After I run through them, I decide on reading the books Amy gave to me. It's a story about a newcomer in college, a good girl whose life turned around when he met the bad boy on campus. I'm a fast reader so I can actually read this within two or three days tops. I can bury my nose in a book and I won't even regret it.

My phone keeps vibrating at my side table. A lot of it from Instagram. And yes, after the night we kissed on the counter, I already followed him back. I only had a few following. My friends in Perth, a few celebrity friends I made, and friends I have here in LA. I hate the Internet sometimes because I overthink too much and social media does not go well with that. The few friends I follow are the same people I associate with personally and I'm happy this movie will bring more friends I can hang out with.

I checked one notification that said 'wow', I was tagged in the photo. I opened it and that damn photo I saw when we're at the restaurant. Hunter with a girl named "Stacey", he's smiling and looking down like she's the only girl in the world. A painful tug at my heart. I clicked on another person who was tagged, and seems to be the owner of the phone.

@ryleoftheparty

I clicked on his username and I immediately regretted it. I checked his page and another photo of Hunter and this girl is posted on his account. So they all hangout. It's a two part photo. The other one is him shielding the flash and then I swipe left, she's planting a kiss on his neck while she looks directly at the camera. I saw the post and it was just 6 hours ago. Just in time when he left the apartment, so he just really got his way, didn't he? It's evident with those red marks on that woman's skin. I immediately closed the app and slumped back down. I do not want to even see what he's doing. This is one of the main reasons I don't root for social media. After this project, I think I'll go back to anonymity and just go back to my normal life.

I'm a few chapters down, I can feel my eyes getting heavy. It's almost afternoon so I let myself rest and maybe grab something outside later. The first thought that came to my mind is those emerald eyes piercing into my soul.