Page 59 of Promise Me Nothing
The sounds from downstairs are almost non-existent, so different from what it was like when I was younger and there were parties at some of the houses I lived in.
Just goes to show what soundproofing can do.
“I felt like my ears were going to start bleeding,” she says, rotating her jaw and pulling at one of her ears. “Is it like this all the time?”
I shake my head. “No, thankfully. This is his first party since I’ve been here, but,” I shrug. “I can’t really say much. It’shishouse.”
She nods, her eyes looking around. Then she spots the TV on the wall. “Wanna watch a movie?”
"Thanks for coming over. It was a lot more fun to hang out with you in my room than just barricade myself in here alone.”
Eleanor laughs.
We ended up spending the evening catching up on a few episodes ofOutlander,only venturing out of the room to grab snacks and soda from downstairs, then rushing back up to our quiet little corner.
I felt like I was doing something wrong by hiding away in my room, like a kid who might get a scolding for absconding some of the treats meant for other people. But honestly, it just felt like the only thing I’d like to do tonight.
And having Eleanor here to enjoy it with was great. Especially a little later when we pausedOutlanderbecause we couldn’t stop giggling like kids at having caught Otto having sex in the gym.
“This was fun,” she replies. “We should hang out more. I know Denise and Loren are like the bitchy queen and king at Bennie’s, but not all of us are like that.”
My shoulders drop in relief. “Thanks for saying that. I’ve been on edge ever since last weekend and I didn’t know exactly how to handle it.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re a nice person,” she says. “Don’t let them get to you. I only went that night to Harbor’s because you said you were going and I always try to get to know the new people.”
I smile, thankful that I was able to muster up the courage to invite Eleanor over tonight. “Thanks.”
And then she reaches out and gives me a hug, before swinging her leg over her bike and heading off down The Strand.
When I turn back to the house, I see the crowd has thinned a bit, but only slightly. The noise and raucous behavior is still off the charts, though. So I head up to my room and re-lock the door. Take a long shower to clean off the stink from work earlier, then crawl into bed at around three o’clock in the morning.
The noise from downstairs doesn’t really bother me at all, especially with the awesome soundproofing. It’s just the knowledge that someone could come in uninvited that makes it difficult to fall asleep.
But eventually, I drift off, feeling the slightest bit uplifted that I might’ve finally made a friend.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Wyatt
The smell of a hospital makes me sick.
I remember one time, having to come to a hospital when I broke my leg when I was six or maybe seven years old. Of course, I probably don’t like hospitals because my memories are of a time when I was sobbing, in incredible pain, and I hated my doctor.
Dr. Milson was an asshole. He wasn’t a good medical professional for children. But he was a friend of my dad’s. Soof coursethat’s the best person to reset a broken tibia in an upset adolescent.
But now, the smell isn’t so much about what has happened here before as much as it is about what’s to come.
We’re in a waiting room. My mom to my left, my sister on my right. Dad’s probably off fucking his child bride, and Ben told me he couldn’t make it when I shot him a text earlier.
My sister’s hand is threaded in mine, her little grip holding on to me so tightly. I give her a small squeeze and she looks up at me.
It’s gonna be okay, I say, signing with my free hand and mustering a smile for her.I promise.
She doesn’t respond, but rests her head against my shoulder, and I wish I had some mouthwash to rinse out the bitter taste of my words.
I make a habit of not promising anything to anyone. I’ve had too many promises in life given to me and not followed through on. But I will swallow a razorblade of lies before I’ll say something to upset my sister when she’s waiting to hear from the doctor.
A much nicer doctor, thankfully, than the one I had as a child. But when your specialty is childhood disease, I’m sure learning bedside manner is important in career advancement.
