Page 107 of Next to Everything We Wanted
“Gavin, I know we’re upset, but you can’t drive in this condition,” Sienna said, worry etched in her face and voice. “We can talk about this without acting like children.”
“Trying to take care of each other got us into this mess in the first place!” I shouted, my lungs burning. “I’m an adult who can take care of myself!”
Frustration flashed on her face, and she shook her head. “You’re not leaving like this.”
“I—” My stomach twisted and turned, another wave of acid rising to my throat.
Whatever came out nextwasn’tgoing to be words.
Covering my mouth, I sprinted for the door and slammed it shut without looking back. My head pounded as the night sky came crashing down on me, every ounce of air evaporating from my lungs.
When I rushed past the gate, my foot tripped over an uneven crack on the pathway. I stumbled toward a row of bushes and landed on my knees.
Perfect.
The moment I opened my mouth, different colors flew out like a UNO deck had been shuffled inside of me. I stayed on my knees and hacked every ounce of food, fear, and anxiety out of my stomach.
Toward the end of my episode, a soft hand touched my back. I turned around to see Sienna leaning next to me with a paper towel. My stomach rolled over again before I ducked down for the final wave.
When I was positive all my organs were scattered in the bushes, I scooted away to avoid the smell.
Sienna handed me the paper towel. “I thought you’d need this.”
“Thanks.” I wiped my mouth, cringing at the sour smell. I tried to stand up, but my knees ached from the fall. I let out a deep groan. “Ouch.”
“Do you need me to help you up?” She touched my knee, which sent more pain through my system, and I groaned again. “Sorry.”
“Leave me alone,” I snapped, my throat thick and hoarse.
“Gavin, you’re sick. This is dead serious.”
“You think I haven’t been serious the whole freaking time?”
“Stop acting like you have everything under control.” Sienna stood up and crossed her arms. “You keep playing that role, and it’s time to end the show.”
“I don’t need you.” My blood pounded against my skull as spots clouded my vision. I tried looking at Sienna, ending things right then and there, but my eyes couldn’t focus on her. “And I regret thinking I did.”
I only caught a glimpse of the hurt on her face before my vision went black. My head crashed into the sidewalk, knocking me out of the world that had fallen apart.
My eyes fluttered open as the sun peeked from behind the curtains. My head throbbed against my skull as I took in the room. My queen-sized bed, my desk, my chair, my clothes scattered all over the floor like I hadn’t cleaned in weeks, my blue walls covered in band posters. I was home.
I got out of bed and opened my door. The aroma of soup filled the air. My hollow stomach ached like I hadn’t had a meal in days, overpowering the lingering nausea.
I expected Phoenix to be in the kitchen, but instead, Forrest stood there. When he saw me, he smiled and put the soup downon the table in front of the couch. My favorite blue blanket was wrapped around my teddy bear, Roosevelt.
“Good morning,” Forrest sang, sounding the calmest he’d been in a long time. “How do you feel?” He put his hand over my forehead. “You’re still a little hot.”
“Well, thank you.” I gave him a sultry grin, fanning myself.
He laughed, shaking his head. “That’s my Gavin.”
“I’m still not feeling the best.” I rubbed my eyes as I sat on the couch. “Um, what day is it?”
He nodded over to the calendar on the wall. “Thursday the eighth.”
“Thursday?” I blinked. “Yesterday was Tuesday.”
He sighed, sitting next to me with a pained expression. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
