Art of Opposites

Chapter 7 ~ Sweat Stains

Yeah... Those are marshmallows. Go with it. >>

Have you ever had that feeling when you think you're falling? Your stomach drops, blood rushes through your veins, and you feel a fear so real you don't even realize your dreaming?

Then you wake up covered in sweat, and everything's fine. Except, for me everything's not fine.

I shot up, breathing heavily as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the light. The neon green numbers of my alarm clock told me it was only 5:30 in the morning. As I was trying to remember how I got home, all the memories from last night hit me like a freight train.

Party.

Woods.

Panic attack.

James.

My cheeks flamed as I vaguely recalled him carrying me from the party and home.

I couldn't believe I had a panic attack in front of him. Only my mom and I used to know about them, which was perfectly fine. Now add a gorgeous 18 year old boy with a slight dislike for me into the mix, and I've got a problem.

Who knows how he could use this against me? Did he take any embarrassing pictures? I gasped as realized the single worst thing he could have witnessed last night as I slept.

Did he hear me talking in my sleep?

I had known for a while now that I sleep talked, I've been doing it since I was ten. And while it was mostly incoherent mumbles with some random words thrown in, it was still super embarrassing.

My muscles ached but I hauled myself out of bed. I had barely managed to slip into a sports bra and shorts when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said hesitantly, not really sure why my mom would need to see me so early. The door slowly pushed open and my mom stepped in the room with a small smile.

"Morning sweetie." She said as she sat down on the bed, which dipped slightly beneath her. I glanced at her curiously, seriously beginning to get worried. There was no reason for her to be here this early and want to talk to me.

"I got invited to a seminar this weekend in California." She whispered while wringing her hands together. Why was she nervous? I'd stayed home alone before, and her being across the county for a couple of days wasn't a big deal. I mean come on, I'm 18.

"It's fine mom, really. I can hold down the fort." I told her honestly. She glanced up at me then quickly diverted her eyes.

"Well, it's just that with your arm, Eliza and I thought it'd be best if you had some help..." She trailed off, but I knew where this was going. My eyes widened in horror.

"No." I stated. "No way am I being babysat by that immature brat." My mom gave me a look. Ok, maybe that last bit had been a little immature on my part.

"Sorry Venice, no negotiations here." She said as she got up and headed towards the door. "James will be staying tonight and until I get home Tuesday. Love you." I groaned and plugged in my headphones before storming out of the house. Why did this have to happen to me? Curse this cast and the stupid boy that gave it to me.

I waved my middle fingers at James' house before running my feelings away.

* * * * *

I immediately plugged my iPhone into the speakers my mom had set up in the kitchen. As I put a banana, some ice, and milk in the blender I sang along to the Coldplay that was blasting.

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this har-