Afterlight ✔️

chapter twenty-nine

— Chloe Romano

Shut the fuck up.

That was all I could say, in reaction to my brother's annoying ass, loud fucking snoring.

I couldn't deal with the snoring. I had been enduring it for about half an hour, and it was driving me insane. I couldn't cope with the feeling of being in the same room as Brad, after everything that had happened to me on this trip to Stratford. I wanted to be free, and not being dragged back to California. I didn't want to see any old, familiar faces. This was my chance to start over.

It was already bad enough that Brad had to come and rain on my parade of happiness, I could never stay content for a long period of time. Something always had to come and mess it up.

I peered over to the digital clock on the bedside table. In bright led lit letters, it stated that it was 1:26AM. Perfect time to get myself out of this room. Making sure Brad was fast asleep, I slowly unpeeled the bedsheets from on top of my body, carefully positioning myself to where I could silently hop out of the bed. Using the only visible light from underneath the door that led to the hallway, I sucked in a huge breath as I stood up. I was scared, Brad had always been a light sleeper growing up, meaning he woke up from almost any disturbance so I hoped he wouldn't wake up this time.

I felt around the room for my duffle bag. Locating it, I saw that on top of it laid one of my random t-shirts. I tried my best to sense whether it was in the correct position, so I could put it over the upper portion of my body. I couldn't see anything. I silently and slowly unzipped the bag, feeling a pair of old sweatpant and then carefully I stepped into them, slipping them up my legs, pulling the waistband tight. I felt inside my bag trying to find something warm, before locating one of Justin's sweatshirts. Feeling the worn texture of it, I gently pulled it out, putting it on my body I inhaled its scent, the smell of Justin's cologne engulfing my nose.

I must have looked like a freak.

Finally, I snatched my pair of worn black boots next to my duffle bag between my index finger and thumb. I quickly threw them on and mentally sighed, only attempting to imagine how much of a mess I looked like right now. I tried wiping underneath my eyes, trying to wipe away the makeup that I was sure was leaving marks that were making me look like a raccoon.

I tiptoed over to Brad's bedside table to see the light of the alarm clock, illuminating upon a pile of quarters. Carefully, I picked the coins up, one by one, trying to make sure they didn't click together and make any noise. I placed the quarters in my pocket, tiptoeing my way to the door out. I clutched the knob and held my breath, pulling the door open slowly, making sure that it wasn't going to creek. I hopped out into the hallway, tensely closing the door back, holding onto the knob until it was completely closed.

Then, I stood in the hallway motionless, making sure Brad didn't hear any of it. I half expected him to come bursting out into the hallway, so I held my ear up to the door.

Silence. I sighed in relief.

Biting my nails in anxiety, I tiptoed down the hall until I reached the midpoint where the elevators were. I pressed the down button, wanting to go to the lobby. Whilst I waited for the elevator, I found myself staring in the direction my room was in, imagining what I would do if I saw Brad charging toward me. The elevator had reached my level, and made a ding, breaking my thoughts. The door opened, causing me to walk in.

Waiting in the elevator, I felt like I had endured an obstacle course. I had never pulled a stunt like that, but I was determined to see Justin. I laughed to myself, realizing that was the most badass thing I had successfully accomplished in months. I peered over to the right to see the control panel for the elevator, pressing "L" for lobby. The elevator doors closed on me. It then started to move downward, giving me a feeling that my stomach had lifted out of my heart. With each level it moved down, there was a high pitched ding and I began to count down the floors to myself.