Pulse

Eye opener

Aphmau's POV

    Katelyn called my early in the morning, waking me up.
"Aphmau..." Katelyn sighs into the phone, and I could tell she face palmed. "You can't stay like this. It's not healthy, and I'm worried about you."
    "Katelyn, I'm fine. There's nothing-" I yawn, "To worry about." I lean on the table and look into the mirror on the wall. I look awful. My hair unbrushed and dirty, wearing an old gray sweatshirt with sweatpants, bags under my tired eyes. I haven't slept for a while. My fingernails are bitten to the beds from sleepless nights and the breakup replaying over and over in my head.
    "I need to take you somewhere." Katelyn speaks confidently into the phone, and I know there will be no arguing. I sigh.
    "Katelyn, I can't, I'm tired, and..." And I don't know. I feel empty inside, like my entire heart has been ripped from my chest and there is nothing to pump the blood to the rest of my body except my fear and sadness.
    "This is non negotiable. What do you want to do? Great idea! Let's get lunch. Where do you want to go? Oh that's right! Olive Garden is your favorite place to eat! Great idea, I love Olive Garden too, when are you free? Today? Ok, I'll be over to pick you up in a half an hour, get ready!" And she hangs up.
    "Bye." I put my phone down and walk up stairs slowly.
    As I reach the top, my mind drifts to Aaron. I wonder what he's doing right now. Probably working or hanging out with his new better-than-me girlfriend. I get into my room, and dig through the clothes to find something presentable but comfortable and that takes almost no effort to put on.
    I take a quick shower, put the clothes I picked out on, and realize there is one thing I won't be able to fix about my appearance. My eyes. I go downstairs to find my red bandana on the couch, and tie it around my head, then I wait.

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    Katelyn pulls into the driveway after about ten minutes, and doesn't even knock on the door when she comes into the house. I was expecting her to wait until I got out there after I used the bathroom, but she barged right in and yelled boisterously throughout the house. "HEY APHMAU, COME CHECK OUT THIS PICTURE OF THE NEW CAT I GOT!"
    I get out of the bathroom and find Katelyn standing right in front of the door. I jump, "Oh my god Katelyn, you scared me. I heard you come in but I didn't expect to find you right here." She shows me the picture of her cat.
    "Also, why didn't you tell me you got a cat. WHY DON't YOU TELL ME THESE THINGS?" I say in mock anger, I'm not mad.

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    We pull into the Olive Garden, and got out of the car. The sun shines bright through the fluffy, sparse clouds as they roll across the sky. We enter the building, and the smell of fresh pasta and breadsticks hit us on our way to the table for two.
    "So, what do you want to get?" Katelyn asks with enthusiasm, a smile on her face. She may have anger issues sometimes, but she can also be very happy. This is one of those days I guess.
    "I don't know, my usual I guess." I shrug.
    RIght then, the waitress shows up at our table. "Hello welcome to Olive Garden may I take your order?" She smiles, her dark long hair tucked behind one ear, loose on the other.
    We place our orders, and order two drinks. And I get a phone call from... Aaron?
    "Katelyn, I'm sorry I have to tell him to stop calling and pay attention to his girlfriend." I answer the phone. "Aaron, what do you want?"
    "Hello, is this Aphmau?" It's not Aaron, it's a woman, and someone who obviously haven't ever heard of me because she had a hard time pronouncing my name. 
    "Yes, it is. Why is Aaron calling me, I told him we're done."
    She sighs quickly, "First, hi. I'm Rachel Lycan, Aaron's mom. Second, I called to let you know that Aaron tried to commit suicide.
    My jaw drops, why? I don't know what to say. "Wh-what?" My voice quivers involuntary.
"Yes," Her voice sounds solemn. "He mentioned you in this letter."
Rachel reads me a letter that I'm guessing was his suicide note. When she's finished, I stay silent.
I need answers, and there is only one person who has them. "What hospital are you at? Let me know if he's okay, I might come visit him"
"Phoenix Drop. Have a nice day."
"I'll be there in an hour after I finish lunch. Bye." I hang up and drop my phone in my bag.
"I'm sorry about that Katelyn, Aaron tried to commit suicide."