The Mural by Lauryn A. Brooks
Author:Lauryn A. Brooks [Brooks, Lauryn A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2021-05-16T14:00:00+00:00
Nineteen
I HAVENâT SEEN MY FRIENDS IN WEEKS. Since Christmas break started, I had avoided virtually everyone except for my family. The guilt of reality was eating me from the inside out, but for some reason I just wanted to be⦠alone.
Now, as I sit in the safety of my car after days and days of isolation, I would soon come face to face with most of my peers for this New Years Eve party.
I stare at my ceiling fan and continue to watch the blades as they rotate in a painfully slow circular motion. Post dinner has me feeling mentally exhausted because Alyssa is home from college, and when sheâs home, conversations consist of political talk and bickering.
Lately, I just couldnât find the will to leave my bed.
Small vibrations pull me out of my head. I frown when I realize someone is calling me. I roll over and check my phone. Itâs Jamie. My heart races as I sit up. Why is she calling me? I hadnât seen her since the last day before Christmas break. I hover my finger over the answer command prompt before I exhale a deep breath and slide.
âHello?â I say.
âHey,â Jamie answers. âWhat are you doing right now?â
Donât tell her youâve been lying in bed for an hour, my mind demands.
I search for a quick lie. âI, uh, I just got back from having dinner with the fam.â Lame. âWhy?â
âWell, Gwen said she couldnât get in touch with youâ¦â She sighs. âBut uh, thereâs a party tonight.â
âYeah, I forgot to get back to her,â I lie. âI donât know if Iâm feeling another party, though.â
âYou should come,â she suggests.
âYeah? Whyâs that?â
âBecause itâs New Yearâs Eve and we havenât seen you all break.â
I know sheâs right. I know that Iâve avoided everyone and every text I had received to hang out. I know it and still donât feel inspired to leave my room.
âI just figured yâall needed a break from me,â I let slip.
âWhat?â
I mentally facepalm myself. âI didnât mean it like that. I just, you know, we see each other all the timeâ¦â
Jamie is silent on the other end of the line. I know how my comment sounded, and I know exactly how sheâs going to take it, but I really hadnât meant it like that. Had I?
âWell, I miss...â She stops. âWe miss you. A lot. So, you should come out.â
Only for a moment does the gray surrounding me flash with color. Had Jamie meant to say she missed me?
âIâll think about it.â
âIâll text you the address.â
Then more silence. For a moment, I think sheâs hung up. I pull back to look at my phone, but realize she hasnât, and then I press it back to my ear.
âJamie... ?â
My phone buzzes from a text.
âPlease, just come over,â she begs. âI⦠I really miss you, Peyt.â
She sounds desperate, which makes me feel even guiltier than I already do. I look at the clock and sit up.
âFine. Iâll come.â
I check my phone. Itâs already eleven thirty. I should go in now.
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