Chapter 19
Pitter-patter sounds wake me up slightly. It sounds like raindrops hitting a window in a rainstorm. Or is it my brain throbbing against my skull? A sliver of light distracts my focus.
Where am I?
I’m so confused.
I try to open my eyes but the light is so bright.
I try to move my body to wake myself up more, but it feels like a hundred pounds are lying on top of me.
Is it raining?
My eyes flutter open, and I see a familiar clock sitting on top of a nightstand.
It’s my clock and my nightstand. I'm coming to realize I’m home.
In my bed. My awareness has heightened, and I throw my whole body up in one long motion.
My head throbs, and I gasp in confusion. I don’t remember how I got home.
Shit.
I’m still in my Halloween costume. It’s nine in the morning.
Brynlee is running up and down the hallway.
For what reason, I don’t know. I rush to my closet, take off my costume, and throw it deep down in my laundry basket.
I quickly put on my pajamas as I catch a reflection of myself in my mirror.
My black eyeliner has smeared all around my eyes, making me look like a raccoon.
I need to get to the bathroom and wash my makeup off. How am I going to get there without being seen? Brynlee will take one look at me and question my appearance. Where’s my mom? I doubt she’s seen me sleeping in my costume, or else she would have said something.
I tip-toe to my bedroom door, listening to the noises outside.
Brynlee has stopped running up and down the hallway.
I slowly turn the door handle when I hear the little, tiny feet running again.
I stand frozen, waiting for the sound to fade.
Once they fade, I crack open the door and peek my head out.
No one is in sight. I rush to the bathroom and let out a sigh. That was close.
As the adrenaline fades, I’m reminded of the throbbing in my head. Rushing around didn’t make things better. I can’t fake being sick again. That will be too obvious.
I walk downstairs and see my mom watching QVC.
She doesn’t notice I came down, so I continue into the kitchen.
My brows furrow as I wonder why she didn’t make pancakes this morning.
It’s a Sunday ritual. The thought of food brings nausea to my stomach, though.
I grab a glass of water and a bag of saltine crackers and head back upstairs.
Memories of last night are fuzzy. I truly have zero recollection of how or when I got home. I assume Kai brought me home, but I have no memory of it. If only I had my phone, I could text him. I’m not going to be able to find out until Monday when I can ask him.
This sucks.