Page 97 of Don't Leave Me

By the time we got home, I fell asleep right away – the whole day had been way too exciting and I was especially tired. I dreamt of our new home, having lunch on the terrace in the spring, little toe-headed babies running around in the kitchen…

20

Chapter 20

“Hana,” I heard Michael’s voice faintly.

I opened my eyes and it was dark, but Michael was hovering over me with my phone in his hand. “Emily has called you three times in a row,” he whispered.

Already worried, I took my phone and quickly answered.

“Em?” I croaked out.

“Hana, I need you right now,” she cried out hysterically. “I told my dad earlier that I dropped out of UPenn and he freaked out and yelled at me and told me I was turning out like my mother,” she went on in one quick breath. “And you know how that gets to me and the thing is that it’s totally fucking true. My mom could never stay in one place, she never held down a job, she dropped out of NYU,” she went on.

“Emily, no,” I quickly interjected. “You’re strong and amazing; you’re just taking your own path in life…dropping out of UPenn was your decision and now you’re living close to me and you’re in the best city in the world!” I tried to cheer her up.

“Can you just,” she cried out, not sounding any bit relieved. “Can you just come here? I can’t be alone right now, Hana. I don’t know what I’ll do,” she said desperately.

I sat straight up. “Yes, I’ll be right there. Don’t move, Emily,” I said as I got up from bed, putting on leggings and slipping on flats. “I can stay on the line with you if you want,” I looked up at Michael who looked concerned and worried.

“No. Just hurry up and get here,” she said and hung up.

I sighed and quickly grabbed a sweater, shaking my head at Michael.

“She doesn’t sound well, babe. I’m going over there,” I explained.

He nodded and stood up, putting on sweats. “I’ll get you a cab. You’re not taking the subway at this time of night,” he said sternly.

Okay, at least he understands that Emily needs me.

“Thank you,” I nodded nervously.

Michael and I went downstairs where he hailed me a cab and I was on my way to Emily’s; less than 10 minutes later, I was frantically knocking on her door.

Emily answered the door with mascara running down her face, in only her bra and underwear.

“Hana? What are you doing here?” she asked, disorientated, almost like she was looking right through me.

“You asked me to come over,” I said gently. “You called me.”

“I did!” Emily exclaimed, leaving the door open and walking into the living room; I followed and noticed clothes scattered around, bottles of booze on the floor and the TV turned around so that it was facing the wall.

“How are you feeling?” I asked hesitantly, following her into her bedroom where she was buzzing around like a fly.

“My dad is just freaking out on me. I think he’s followed me out to New York. I think he’s staying at that hotel up the street, you know the one? And I’m trying not to leave the house because I swear I saw a news van following me around and I just know that they’re broadcasting my story on the news, and my dad is gonna see it and he’s gonna freak out even more,” she blabbered on, sounding very, very manic.

Pressured speech? Check. Delusions? Check. And insomnia…it was 3 in the morning and she was flying as high as a kite.

I watched as she tore through her closet. “Do you want to sit down with me?”

“I have a date with Adam tonight. I need to figure out what to wear. Adam and I are really, like really hitting it off. He makes me feel amazing…oh my god, we fuck for hours straight, Hana, it’s insane,” she laughed loudly, still facing her closet.

“Em, it’s 3 in the morning. What time is your date?” I asked, trying to keep up with her.

She looked back at me with wide eyes. “I’ve missed our date! He was supposed to be here at 9 PM! He never came!” she exclaimed angrily.

“9 PM for what day?” I tried to clarify.

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