Let Me Go

Racing

It's been three hours since the incident. Hayden is still passed out on the floor and as hard as I've tried, I can't fall asleep. I'm terrified I'll wake up to her choking me again. I grab my phone, pillow, and rip the sheet off the bed. A scared ass bitch about to sleep in the bathtub. I lock the bathroom door behind me and make an attempt at getting comfortable.

~~~~

I wake up to banging on the bathroom door.

"Billie I've gotta pee!" Hayden shouts through the door.

I stretch and hear my bones crack. Ugh morning stretches are the best. I saunter over to the door and my hand hovers over the knob. I take a breath and open it to reveal a happy Hayden.

She pushes past me to pee and I leave her to it. I sit in the chair, curling my legs beneath me. Moments later Hayden comes out of the bathroom still as happy as can be. She goes to cup my face and I flinch.

Her expression turns into one full of worry, "Baby what's wrong?"

"Nothing." I snap. I can't look at her.

"It's not nothing if you can't look at me Billie. What's going on?"

"You really don't remember do you?"

"Remember what?"

I crane my neck so she can see the prints she left on my neck. She goes to graze her fingers over them but I grab her wrist before she can. "Don't. Touch. Me." I growl.

"I-... Billie I really don't remember doing that. I mean I was having a nightmare about my ex last night and..." she pauses as it dawns on her, "I must have woken up at some point. Fuck I've gotta go."

She quickly changes her clothes and gathers a few things before leaving the room.

I sit here for I don't know how long, hours probably. I decide to get ready for the show this evening and make an attempt at covering up the marks on my neck. The room door opens and closes.

Hayden mumbles a quick, "Hey." as she passes me without even looking in my direction.

I can't.

I can't be around her right now.

Grabbing my phone, I leave the room headed for anywhere that Hayden isn't.

~~~~

"You know staring is kinda rude," a beautiful girl snaps me from my thoughts.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't even realize I was staring." I apologize.

"That's a shame, I was kind of hoping you were," she says winking at me. Ok she bold bold. "This seat taken?"

"No go right ahead."

She sits down across from me with her chin on her hand, "So what's a well known person such as yourself doing in a shitty food joint like this one?"

Her comment makes me smile for the first time today, "Well shit you know who I am, I was hoping to stay incognito. Besides you're wearing an apron with the name of the diner on it. What if I actually wanted to eat here?"

She laughs, "I still wouldn't recommend it." She then reaches over taking a strand of blue hair in her fingers. "I mean the blue hair kinda screams 'look at me'... anyways my shift ended like five minutes ago wanna ditch and actually go somewhere fun?"

I hesitate before answering, "Yeah sure..."

She smiles and leads me out, her complexion beaming when the sun hits it, "Ok cool, I'm Erika by the way."

"So, Erika. Why do you work at there if you can't stand it?" I ask.

She lets out a chuckle, "I was just messing with you B. My brother and I own it. Foods pretty bomb if I do say so myself."

"You sly dog! I wanna go back and eat now." I turn on my heel and she hooks her arm with mine and drags me up the street.

"Trust me when I tell you, you'll like this better."

I look up at the sign before following her inside, 'Speed Demons - Indoor Go Kart Racing'

"You ready B?"

"You mean, are you ready to get your ass creamed? Then yes. Completely ready." I say strapping myself into a go kart. She playfully rolls her eyes at my comment.

"Eat my dust Eilish!" she shouts before stomping on the gas.

~~~~

"So what's my prize for winning?" a playful smirk gracing my lips.

"Bragging rights because even my own brother can't beat me on that track." she nudges me. My first instinct is to wrap my arm around her waist, so I do. She doesn't say a word at the contact.

"You're from LA right?" she asks looking up at me.

"Mhm. Why?"

"Well my brother and I actually landed a franchise deal a couple months ago and we we're debating between Vegas and LA. I know it's a big step to even consider a city of that size, but for us it's either go big or go home."

"Dude definitely LA! At least be around people who can appreciate the taste of good food rather than chasing it with a pint of beer."

She smiles at me, "You make a valid point B. I've gotta head back to the restaurant, but I'll see you soon then?" she says pulling away from me.

I wrap both my arms around her and she giggles, "You're not getting rid of me that easily. I wanna try your food."

"B the restaurant is closed for the night, I'm just going back to do a few last minute things."

I raise an eyebrow, "So?"

Erika gives me an exasperated sigh, "Fiiiine. I'm kind of hungry too."

~~~~

After feeding my black hole of a stomach some burritos, Erika is walking me back to my hotel.

"Oh so you rich rich since you're staying here," she jokes nudging my side.

"Yeah yeah, hey gimme your phone."

She grabs her phone out of her back pocket and hands it to me. A moment later I hand it back, "Text me when you're in LA. I'd love to show you around."

She shakes her head and backs away slowly, "How do I know you didn't just put the rejection hotline number in here?"

"Try it."

She presses a button and holds it up to her ear. Seconds later, my phone vibrates and I answer.

"See? Not fake."

"The only reason I'd call is for a racing rematch. I don't go down so easily B." she says before hanging up.  I watch her reach the end up the street and turn the corner.

I lazily make my way back to my room. Opening the door I see Hayden with her laptop open, working. She ignores my presence and keeps working.

"Not gonna ask 'Where were you all day?', no 'I missed you.', or even a 'Hello.'?" I ask.

"Fine. Hello. Where were you? I missed you." she says gritting her teeth.

"What the fuck is your problem Hayden?"

a/n: what is her problem tho 🤷🏼‍♀️