Beautiful Disaster
Chapter 2
Erin’s hand slipped onto my inner thigh, just above my knee. I put my hand on my mouth to stop the bile rising in my mouth.
“I-I have to do something,” I stammered.
I jumped up and almost ran towards the exit. When I got out of the dark room, and had to make a dash to the restroom so I wouldn’t empty my lunch in the hall.
I ran into the bathroom nearly knocking the garbage onto its side. I went to the back of the restroom and opened a stall. I sank onto my knees and held onto the white porcelain throne.
I retched over and over until it turned into dry heaves.
When I knew nothing more could come out, I leaned my back against the cool tilled wall. Drew up my knees and laid my chin on top of them.
Remembering the week after the incident, this is all I would do. The toilet was my best friend. I came to it after lunch and before bed because every man looked like that same one, 3 months ago.
I got up and walked over to the sink to wash my mouth. I leaned into the counter. The edge indenting a straight deep line onto my palm.
I looked up into the mirror and didn’t like what I saw.
Midnight-black hair spilling cascade around my face. Too pale. Cheekbone’s too high. Eye’s too big. Eye’s distant and unemotional.
But most important, there was no life. No happiness. As if I died in that alley, 3 months ago. As if there was no Laura no more. Only her body. No soul.
I straightened and walked out of the bathroom. I started to walk towards the theatre, but walked right past it to the big green EXIT sign over two large, heavy, metal doors.
I pushed at the door and felt the lock unclick. The wind whipped my hair around. I felt the fresh air and clean warm breeze relax my stiff muscles.
I whipped out my phone and dialed my mom’s number.
“Mom, can you come pick me up?”
“Hi, honey. I can’t, I’m going to have an appointment right now. Why what happened? Can’t your friends drop you off?” My mom sounded very preoccupied. I bet if I told her I do coke and had sex every day she wouldn’t notice.
“That’s okay, mom. I can find a ride, bye.” I hung up before she could say anything else.
I started heading out towards the highway, maybe I could walk my way home since they picked me up and I left my car at home.
I walked for twenty minutes when I saw my math partner’s car drive by. My heart sped up. It seemed to do that a lot around him. I don’t even like him. He is so obnoxious, and annoying. He thinks he knows everything. He tells me how I could improve. I can’t believe he has the nerve.
He pulls around and his car makes his way toward me. I can’t breathe. He pulls over on to the edge of the road. He rolls down his windows. I suck in a breath. I can’t believe how I act around him.
“Hey, why are you walking here?” Jay asks.
“Um . . .” I struggled for a conharet thought. “I forgot my car?” I said, and then wanted to hit myself. I forgot my car? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. “I mean . . . well, I don’t want to talk about.” I said finally. That was a safer choice to say.
“Um, okay. Want a ride?” He asks.
I smile. It’s genuine. I always smile around him. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“No, not at all. I’m not doing anything anyway. Just driving around.” He smiled at me. I stared at his mouth. So perfect.
“Well, in that case. I guess I have to take you up on your offer,” I said, as if getting in the car with him is a drag.
His grin grew wider. “Well, get in then.”
I walked over to the passenger door and sat in. It was a pretty nice car. “I shouldn’t say anything about your car.”
He shot me a repentant look.
“Or your ego will grow bigger.” I smiled, clearly teasing. “Seriously, I don’t think it can get any bigger.”
He laughed. The sound mesmerizing.
“So, where do you live?” He asked pulling onto the right lane.
