Maybe it was Love//Short Story

4

Then she saw a body rise up from behind Gabe.

With tears in her eyes the person looked like an angel. Dinah watched the figure hold an object above Gabe's head and swing.

Gabe fell like a puppet without strings. His eyes rolled back in his head and Dinah dropped to the floor. Her whole body started shaking and she cried, but no tears came out.she didn't have any left. Then she started screaming. No out of fear, but out of pain. The person came closer to her and held her. Cradled her like a little child. Dinah cried actual tears again and was rocked back and forth by the "angel". Dinah was a mess. Her shirt wasn't intact. She was scared and just felt awful. The person didn't say anything, just rocked Dinah and comforted her.

Dinah allowed herself to be picked up bridal style and be carried into the girls bathroom. The stranger set Dinah on the bathroom floor and went to gather some paper towels to wipe Dinah's face. Dinah looked at the person's face and realized that it was her brother Eric's friend, Bri.

"Thank you." Dinah said barely audible. Bri smiled and cradled Dinah's head in her lap, stroking her hair softly and they sat like that in silence. Dinah cried herself out of tears and was grateful for tiredness to wash over her. Bri picked her up again and carried her to her car. She strapped Dinah in the back seat with a blanket and a pillow. Bri got in the front seat and drove off.

****

Dinah opened her eyes to a bright light. She guessed it was the sun. Dinah sat up and realized she was swaddled in blankets and had on a Michigan State sweater on and sweat pants. Though she didn't remember putting on these clothes, she hugged her knees other chest and felt safe and comfortable.

She observed the room she was in. A window by the bed with white lace curtains. Peach colored walls that were lit nicely from the sun. A personal bathroom and a dark ruby shag carpet by the bed. A white cupboard with drawers and a small closet on the opposite wall as the window. The bed she sat in unmade. Sheets and blankets falling off. Even though this would drive Dinah insane, she felt so relaxed and good about this room. She was startled by a smell coming from downstairs. Bacon, eggs and waffles. Syrup wafted up her nose. Dinah smiled.

She unraveled herself from the safe haven of the blankets and walked to the door. She opened it slowly and the bacon was stronger. Dinah's stomach growled fiercely. She found the staircase and hurried downstairs, entranced by her hunger.

She found a plate of bacon, eggs and waffles waiting on a table calling her name. Dinah sat down in a chair and stared at the plate. She slowly picked up a fork and cut a small piece of a waffle and put it in her mouth. Dinah couldn't help but smile. She took the bottle of syrup and drenched her food in it and shoveled some more food in her mouth.

The sound of sizzling made Dinah snap her head up. She didn't even realize the person standing by the stove. The person turned around and smiled at Dinah. "Bri?" Dinah said, through it came out as more of a question.

"Glad you're awake Dinah. Enjoying breakfast?" Bri asked. She had on pink shorts, a pink tank top and a white apron. She was barefoot. Dinah nodded unable to make another word come out if her mouth.

"Thanks. I didn't know what to make you so I settled for a classic." Bri laughed. Dinah smiled weakly and started eating some more. When she finished her plate, she drank her glass of orange juice. "Would you like some more?" Bri asked. "No thanks." Dinah said. Bri nodded and went back to her food on the stove.

"So. What happened last night?" Dinah asked. She was never the person to stall conversation. She always got straight it the point. Bri tensed her shoulders and arms. After a second she out down her pot, afraid to drop it, and brushed her apron. She leaned her palms on the neighbouring sink and met Dinah's eyes.

"What do you remember?" Bri asked, treading the topic lightly. Dinah got up from the chair and took her plate and glass to the sink to wash it. "I remember going to the stadium a nod the game. I remember going to the bathroom. I remember Tomas and Emma. I remember Ga--" Dinah could barely get it out before she dropped the glass on the floor and started crying. Her legs couldn't support her. She started fall. Bri caught her before she fell into the glass. She slowly lowered Dinah down to the floor and put her in her lap. Dinah gripped Bri as she cried again. Her throat was dry and in pain.

Bri hugged Dinah against her chest. "It's okay." Bri said. "No it won't." Dinah cried. Bri was taken aback by Dinah's outburst, but she still continued. "Why not?" Bri asked rubbing Dinah's back. "Because I'm like that glass I just dropped. Once it's broken, there is no "sorry" or "it's okay" that can fix it." Dinah said. "But what about glue?" Bri questioned. "It won't be the same." "But isn't it worth a shot?" Dinah looked up into Bri's eyes. Dinah leaned closer until they were centimeters apart. "Isn't it worth it?" Bri asked again. Dinah stopped crying and moved even closer so their lips were so close, they each could feel the heat radiating off each other. "I-I-I don't know." Dinah stuttered. "You're not supposed to know. That's the trick." Bri said and helped Dinah up.

"Your clothes are upstairs in the third drawer. I couldn't fix your shirt so I got you a new one. Your bag and stuff are in the bathroom. If you want to take a shower then there is a towel and new clothes in the bathroom. If you need help call me." Bri said going back to the sink to finish the dishes.

Dinah barely made it up the stairs. She found her stuff and took a shower, but she felt so alone without Bri's comforting arms. She wasn't ready to face the world. Not yet.

Dinah put back on the jeans from last night and the sweater Bri let her borrow. She grabbed her bag and slipped on her converse. She went downstairs to the front door. Bri was on her knees picking up the broken glass from the floor. Dinah couldn't help feeling rejected and especially alone. Dinah also realized she didn't know how to get back home.

"Uh. Bri do mind giving me a ride?" Dinah asked shyly. Bri picked up the last of the glass and threw it all away. She turned to Dinah with the same warm welcoming smile. "Sure. Let's go." She grabbed her keys off of the counter and slipped on some flip flips.

They headed out the door and into the car parked in front of the house. Dinah strapped herself in the passenger seat. Bri got behind the wheel and started the engine. They started driving in silence.

Bri was relaxed in the silence. Not rushing to fill in the gaps. Dinah however, was on the verge of an anxiety attack. Her heart was racing as they drove through Bri's neighborhood. Dinah was experiencing so many feelings at once. One of them was fear for what will happen when she comes home. Another was hope for some peace and no more confusing scenarios. The odd feeling was rejection. Bri was nothing short of warm and welcoming and safe and sweet, but Dinah felt so hurt by being in this car. She didn't know why.

They pulled up to Dinah's house. "Thank you Bri." Dinah said to Bri, "for everything." Bri smiled her reassuring smile. "I wasn't going to leave you helpless. That would've been awful. Plus Gabe deserved that strike to the head." She laughed an easy laugh. Dinah laughed too, though it sounded more of a sigh if relief. It probably was. They sat in silence for another minute and Dinah hugged Bri. At first Bri was surprised by the action, but she hugged back. Neither of them wanted to let go. Finally Dinah scooted back and said bye.

She unbuckled and left the car. She took out her keys and opened the front door. Her house was empty and she breathed some more relief. Dinah took off her shoes and headed upstairs. She watched Bri drive off from her window. Dinah grabbed her phone and smiled when she looked at her contacts.

Suddenly she felt less alone.