Amiss

Chapter 19 - Trey

I'm startled awake from a deep slumber and blink up into the darkness. "Trey!" I hear Ava shout through the door. She bangs on it so loudly I'm surprised that her tiny fists don't splinter the wood. What the?

"Trey!" she calls again with an edge of desperation to her voice. "Please open the door!" she implores. Even though I'm groggy as hell, that pleading voice of hers does things to me and dredges up all the memories I'm trying so desperately to forget.

"Trey! Please," Ava's voice sobs. I need to help her. My head and limbs feel so heavy it's an effort to raise myself to a sitting position. I try to stand, but my legs don't cooperate as the room spins. The sleeping pills and alcohol coursing through me make it damn near impossible. I ungracefully roll off the bed, landing on the floor with a heavy thump.

The carpet grazing my cheek is so soft and comfortable. I could fall asleep sprawled right here on the floor. "Trey, was that you? Please open up," Ava's voice pleads.

I snap my head up at the sound and try to will my legs to move. Yet, I can barely put one foot in front of the other and end up crawling to the door to unlock it.

"Trey!" Ava bursts into the room like a cannonball and brings the light from the hall with her. I shield my eyes as I cringe away from the brightness and her booming voice. Ava finds me sitting on the floor; her hands grip my shirt.

"Why weren't you answering? I've been banging on your door for ages! I thought you were dead." Her body trembles as she towers over me.

"What?" I mutter as I gape up at her. When understanding dawns on me, it's no wonder I worried her. I drank myself stupid last night and got really dark. "You scared me, you asshole," she wails as she shakes me again. The realisation of how much I worried her is sobering.

Ava struggles for breath as a sob catches in her throat. My hands reach up as I gently cover her fists to stop her from jostling me. She's in a state of hysteria, and I need to calm her down.

"Breathe, Ava. I'm OK. You're OK. Just breathe," I soothe her and end up taking my own advice as well, taking a long deep breath. She echoes my action and inhales deeply. Since she's stopped shaking me, I deem it safe to release her hands. She's still standing over me, but I'm so groggy I don't think I can stand just yet.

"We're both alright. Come here," I say, extending my arms, just praying she lets me hug her. Ava doesn't hesitate as she sinks to join me sitting on the floor. I cradle her to my chest, rocking her gently. "I'm here. Fuck, I'm so sorry I frightened you. I was drunk, and I let the darkness in. I didn't mean to. I'm right here." It takes a long time for my assurances to sink in and for her to stop crying. Her body still quivers in sobs as I hug her. My shirt clings to me coldly where her tears have soaked the fabric.

"You're such a dick," she grumbles while gripping me tightly. My lips twitch, fighting off a smile. Damn, now is not the time to find her cute.

She pulls away so I can look up into those red-rimmed eyes. This is on me. I made her cry again. I dab under her eyes, wiping away the tears. Of course, I owe her an explanation. "I... I'm sorry that I made you worry about me. I came in here and took some of my prescription meds that help me sleep. It put me under, and I didn't hear you knocking until I answered the door." She nods her head at my words. I think she believes that I didn't intentionally distress her.

"So, do you want to explain why you got so dark last night? I don't mean to pry, but as your housemate, I deserve to know what your triggers are and what the hell I did to hurt you," her words pull me back down to reality. I rub at my aching temples. Of course, she wants to jump straight back into the deep end. But I understand; I feel it too. Our rocky friendship is dancing on the edge of a knife. I drift off for a moment, contemplating on how to express myself.