Foreign

Chapter 24

Josh agrees that I need to talk to Hero when I'm ready but he's on my side. He stays with me until it's time for lunch. I refuse to go with him. I'm not ready to face Hero or Melany just yet.

"Try to get some sleep. Is it okay if I visit with Brody later today? He's so worried!"

"Yeah sure." I try to smile but it feels weird. The muscles in my face have forgotten how to smile. When Josh is gone the loneliness hits me like a wave. I like the silence but I don't like being alone. Josh somehow made me feel a little bit better. I can't get warm enough even though it's another beautiful day. A shower might do the trick. Before I enter the shower I put on the latest 5 Seconds of Summer cd. While I wait for the water to get hot enough I look at myself. I hardly recognize my face. My eyes are blank and hollow. The black circles under them are too dark against my pale face. I turn away. I can't look at this. The water feels good against my skin and loosens my muscles. I didn't realise I was all tense. Not even the water can warm me up though. I don't know how low I've been standing here but at some point the water turns cold again and I snap out of a trance. I immediately start shivering and turn the water off. I wrap myself in a big fluffy towel and go back to my room. Maybe I should try to get some sleep? I probably won't be able to but you never know..

A soft pounding on my door wakes me up.

"Char, are you there?" Brody's voice sounds through the door.

"Yeah, just a sec. I need to put some clothes on." I look at my phone and I see that I've had a long nap. I probably needed one after sleeping on the floor. I put on my USW hoodie and a pair of shorts. When I open the door I spot Brody, Josh and Isabella. They're holding a bottle of wine and some food.

"May we come in?" Isabella asks with a worried frown. Damn, forgot to check my hair. It's probably a wild mess because I fell asleep when it was wet.

"Sure." I step aside and walk to the balcony. I put my hair into a messy bun and take a seat. I can't stand to look at their worried faces.

"We thought you might want some food," Brody breaks the silence.

"I don't know about the food but I definitely want the wine!" I try grabbing the bottle but Josh is too fast.

"Not before you eat something! You haven't eaten all day!" The accusation in his voice is clear. It makes me angry. What am I? Some kind of alcoholic? A tiny voice in my head agrees with that. You can't have alcohol on an empty stomach. Damn it. I sigh in defeat and take a sandwich.

"Happy now?"

"Very."

Brody opens the bottle and hands us a glass. Isabella looks a bit uncomfortable, she clearly doesn't know what to say.

"So, what's up?" I ask between bites.

"Well, Greg lost it earlier. He yelled at Betty in the middle of the restaurant!" His eyes shine from excitement. I can tell he's been dying to tell me.

"What happened?" I take a small sip of wine. I just want to drink it all at once and ask for some more but Josh will probably kill me.

"I don't know but the words 'stupid', 'lazy' and 'cow' were used, all in the same sentence!"

Isabella starts laughing now.

"It's true, it was too funny! He just started screaming out of nowhere!"

Brody and Isabella both tell me more about the moment and I can't help but smile. I know they're probably exaggerating this to make me laugh so I have to give them something.

"What I don't understand though is why she still has her job," Josh says with a pensive frown. "I mean, I've worked on a lot of films and she's terrible. She's the worst assistant I've ever seen! People get fired for less!"

"It's because she's friends with Melany. I heard her talking to Greg." Isabella immediately snaps her mouth shut and her eyes slide to me. She looks horrified.

"I'm so sorry, Charlotte. I wasn't thinking."

"That's okay Bel... I mean, I will have to face both of them at some point."

"Will you be at work tomorrow?" Brody asks cautiously.

"Of course. This is the job I've worked so hard for. Melany took that away from me once, not twice."

"We will be right there with you," Josh promises. If I'm honest, I'm pretty scared. I don't want this day to end. I don't want to face Hero. I don't want to see him with her. I certainly don't want to face Melany. I need to be prepared. I take a deep breath.

"So, how was Hero today?" My friends all look at each other.