Tethered

Chapter Five:

I didn't go to school for the rest of the week. And I called into work and had someone cover for me. I told them that I was sick but in reality every time that I tried to get up and get ready for the day I broke into uncontrollable sobbing. I was filled with heart breaking pain. My head hurt and my body ached and I couldn't keep any food down.

I decided not to go to coffee with Aaron on Saturday and sent him a quick text before getting back into bed. I had just started watching a popular reality show that I couldn't remember the name of when I heard the doorbell ring. I listened to my mother answer it and a muffled conversation between her and whoever was at the door. There was a long moment of silence and then a knock on my door.

My heart ached in my chest. Was it Daniel? Had he come to tell me that he had decided to stay? I tried to smooth down my matted hair that I hadn't combed through in days and sat up straight in bed.

"Come in." my voice came out in a sad little croak. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until Aaron walked in and I breathed in a sigh and sank back into the bed.

"Wow, your mom was right. You look like shit." He said and closed the door to sit on the end of the bed. I gave him a side long look and then shut off the television.

"What do you want Aaron?" I asked covering myself further with the comforter.

"You bailed on our coffee date and I wanted to make sure you are okay." He said and gave me a small, crooked smile.

"I'm fine. I'm just sick." I said and Aaron raised his eyebrow.

"For five days?"

"I'm really sick." I said and faked a cough.

"Your mom said you've been throwing up."

"Well that's a gross thing to tell you."

"So do you want to tell me what this is really about?" he said and I shook my head softly.

"No."

"That's okay. I already know." He said and I frowned.

"Did my mom tell you?" I asked angrily.

"She didn't have to, Meredith." He said almost equally as angrily.

"Why are you upset?" I tested.

"Because I tried to tell you that he is a bad guy. I keep trying to tell you and you keep blowing me off and ignoring me." He said standing up. "He is no good for you. You are ditching classes and avoiding work. He is pulling you away from the things you insisted were important and that's not like you!" He was almost yelling at that point. I was so angry that I could feel my face heat up and it almost felt like all of my tears had evaporated into steam. I stood up and ignored the fact that I was only in a tank top and small sleep shorts.

"You don't know anything about me! You are not upset that he broke my heart. You are upset because I fell in love and don't want to spend as much time with you. I love Daniel and he loves me. We broke up because he got a job in Seattle. Not because he doesn't care!" I yelled and pointed my finger at him. He looked taken aback. He opened his mouth to say something and then just closed it and walked out of my room slamming the door behind him.

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I got a text from Aaron Sunday night apologizing to me for what he said and asked if we could meet when I was feeling better. I couldn't find the energy to be angry anymore and just agreed.

I decided to go to classes on Monday and when I got there deemed it the worst decision ever. I was behind on all of my work and unsure of where we were in the chapter. I took vigorous notes and by the end felt like I was going to drop from exhaustion. I planned out my studying for the next few days while I rode the bus to work. I had called my boss that morning and told him I was feeling better and that it wouldn't happen again.