Someone Else

Chapter 17

Its Sunday. Two days since that night... two days that I've successfully avoided my friends; including Oscar.

I had woken that morning to an empty bed. Thankful Oscar hadn't stuck around longer. He'd left a note though:

I wasn't sure if I should stick around or not. Let's please talk soon. Here's something for the headache.
-Oscar

Sure enough, on the nightstand beside his note were two little aspirin pills and a small glass of water. I had woken only with a dull ache in my head, grateful it wasn't a worse hangover.

My muscles were sore and unforgiving though, as well as my thoughts. Conflicting emotions flooded my mind and my heart. I wasn't sure, still not sure, if what happened with Oscar was a mistake or not...

The entire weekend had gone by and I still hadn't heard from Adam. He had never even bothered to send a short text letting me know when he'd landed in New York or that the weekend was going fine. And that angered me to my core.

And now there were emotions rising from Oscar. Guilt; that maybe I used him out of spite toward Adam. And a new... foreign emotion I couldn't quite place. It scared me.

I know I need to talk to him, but I can't find the courage to do so. And he hasn't made the effort to seek me out first.

Now today, the day Adam is supposed to return this evening. There's a strong wave of nerves flooding my mind and body at the thought of seeing him. I sigh, making my way to the shower. I turn the water dial as hot as it'll go and submerge myself beneath the stream.

The water scolds my skin but I don't move. I allow myself to grow numb to the pain, relishing in how the burning feels. I eventually wash my hair and scrub my body when the steam begins to become suffocating, and step out. I towel dry and walk to my wardrobe, slipping into something more comfortable for the day.

I need some relief from my thoughts and emotions. The conflicting feelings at war becoming too much at once. So, my feet gravitate me to the sixth floor and I find myself knocking on someone's door.

"Maddy?" Daisy answers and I offer her a small smile.

"Can I come in?" I ask her weakly. She nods and steps aside.

"Is everything alright?" She frowns slightly as she sits on the couch in her room. I follow suit and sit on the couch too, putting some distance between us. I pull my knees to my chest, resting my chin on top.

"Have you spoke to Oscar?" I question, wondering if she has any clue.

"Not since we all went out the other day." She furrows her eyebrows in confusion.

I nod in response, searching for my next words, "That night... Oscar and I slept together." I chew on my lip nervously.

Daisy's eyes widen with a hint of a sparkle in them and her posture immediately perks up in excitement. "I knew there was something between you two!"

I shake my head, frowning. "No- I mean there wasn't... Daisy I've done something terrible." I sigh and bury my face into my hands. Her excitement fizzles and she frowns at my reaction.

"Talk to me." Her voice is soft and comforting. Memories of growing up with her beside me, always there to comfort each other and talk about our boy problems flash through my mind. I'm lucky to be here with her right now.

"Remember that guy I told you I was seeing...?" My eyes meet hers.

"Matt." She replies. My face contorts in confusion before realization of the fake name I'd given her washes over me.