Page 78 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“Thanks.”

There’s always tomorrow...

Hayley

IOPEN MY EYES SLOWLY. My vision is blurry. All I see is a frizzy mess of blonde hair. Peter. He’s rubbing my head. I’m lying on his chest. How’d I get into bed last night? I peel the crusty shit off my lashes. Think...Think...

Crap. I remember.

“Good morning,” he says.

I feel an aching pain between my hips.

“Did we have sex last night? I don’t remember.”

“No! No way! Not in the condition you were in. I would never do that to you!”

Oh my God. I remember more now...

“Right. Must have been a dream.”

He smiles. No, don’t smile!

“Awesome,” he says.

Not awesome!

“Hayley, you looked really bad last night,” he continues. “I’m worried about you. Did you do anything with Shaina?”

Who the fuck is Shaina?

“Huh?”

“Maybe I’m remembering her name incorrectly... The friend you hung out with last night. Did you guys take anything?”

I sit up quickly. I’m breathing so fast. I remember...I remember...

“Oh yeah, her. Uh... I think we drank too much last night,” I say. Good one, good one...

“I thought you said she was a recovered alcoholic who couldn’t drink?”

MOTHERFUCKER!

“Right. She relapsed. It was so bad!”

“Hayley, that’s horrible!”

“I’m sorry that I’m a bad influence on everyone.” I stand up. “I’m just no good for anyone!”

“Whoa. I didn’t say that.” He sits up slowly “Maybe you should text her to see if she’s all right.”

“Yes, you’re right. I should do that right now.”

I rip the comforter off him and feel around the mattress.

“What are you doing?”

“Where is my phone?” I point at him with blame.

---