BEING HALSEY

CHAPTER 61

I lift my face from the pillow. The slight movement sends a flash of pain tearing down the side of my face.

Hal is sprawled on the carpet beneath me, wrapped in a blanket.

Of course she slept here with me...

I try sitting up.

My movements wake her.

" Tray! You're still in pain."

The aching in my ribs makes it hard for me to turn or even bend down.

Hal looks at me.

I know what she wants.

Answers.

" We should go to a hospital."

" NO!" The firmness of my answer startles the both of us.

" I'm fine." I reply and feel my nose.

It's still swollen.

" This doesn't look like fine to me. I mean, look at you, there might even be some internal damage. Like maybe you're bleeding from the inside."

" It's nothing."

" Nothing?" She scoffs. " Does all this look like nothing to you?"

" I'm used to this.... ok?"

" Are you even hearing yourself right now?" She says and furiously grab the blanket off the floor. " God Tray, Why are you so stubborn?What really happened last night?"

" Nothing okay? Nothing happened."

" STOP LYING TO ME!" She yells and throws the blanket over on the other couch. "You think I'm stupid, don't you?"

I look down at the T-shirt she's wearing.

My t-shirt looks oversized on her.

"I heard what that guy said..." She continues but I cut off,

" Forget what that guy said."

" That guy saved your life. He was lucky to find you early enough before something else happened to you. We really should call the police."

" And tell them what? That I was attacked by thugs at a night club and some guy came and helped me? No Hal, there's nothing we're going to gain from involving the police."

" Why? Is it because you're hiding something?"

I avoid her gaze. " I don't know what you're talking about."

" Oh, so now you don't know what I'm talking about? Just stop fooling around and tell me what.the. fuck you're hiding...hmm?" She crosses her arms on her chest.

" Nothing, okay! I'm hiding nothing." I yell and curse as a burning sensation travels from my shoulder to my waist.

My chest starts to throb.

"So now you're yelling at me?"

" You started it first!" I shout and cough.

The coughing doesn't stop and my shirt gets soaked with....blood.

I'm coughing blood.

Hal runs to the kitchen.

"Here, drink some." She hands me the glass of water and I sip it slowly.

" This is the reason why I'm telling you that we--- Tray?...Tray?"

My vision turns blurry and the last thing I hear is the glass breaking down on the floor.

***