My Friend, Phoenix by Sidney Wright

Author:Sidney Wright [Wright, Sidney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Sam

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the darkness. I groaned and rubbed my face, groggy and confused. A sliver of yellow light from the hallway peeped through the door, and I reached for my phone on the nightstand.

What time was it?

A quick look at the screen had me bolting up in bed, shocked. It was almost eight o’clock. I’d missed my lessons. Another glance at the screen revealed that I had five missed calls. Two from Phoenix, and three from my students’ moms.

Frustrated, I buried my face in my hands. A faint memory lingered in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t quite grasp at it. I turned on the lamp, then froze when Jack knocked on the door and popped his head in.

“Dinner’s done. It’s a bit late, but you were sleeping like a baby! I didn’t want to wake you.” He gave me a dimpled grin. “Come when you’re ready.” He began whistling as he went down the stairs.

Why had I fallen asleep, and for so long? I squeezed my eyes shut, massaging my temples as I felt a headache coming on. A dream-like image of Jack holding either side of my head, his face close to mine, surfaced before me, and I shot out of my bed. Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called Phoenix.

He answered on the second ring. “About time. When you didn’t pick up, I thought you were mad at me or –”

“Can I come over?”

There was silence on the other end. “Sure,” he said finally, sounding bemused. “Right now?”

“Right now,” I confirmed. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Then I hung up.

I grabbed my bag and stuffed in some clothes, several pairs of underwear, my wallet, and my phone. I couldn’t stay here. Not if my suspicions were correct. And if they were, I had no plans of coming back, ever.

I needed time to think this through.

When I went downstairs, my stepdad was in the kitchen. I quickly shuffled to the door.

“Jack, I’m so sorry, but I can’t stay,” I called out. The sound of his footsteps drew near, and my heart began racing. “I’m sorry about dinner. Tell Mom I’ll be at Phoenix’s place.”

“Sam, wait –”

“Bye!” I hurried out and went to my car. As I drove off, I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Jack had come out to the sidewalk, his tall figure getting smaller and smaller. I tore my gaze away and focused on the road, unwilling to look at him any longer.

***

When I arrived, Phoenix was waiting for me on the driveway. Before I had even fully opened the door, he pulled me out.

“Wait, my bag’s inside.”

He raised a questioning brow as his gaze fell on the bulky backpack on the passenger seat. “A bit old to be running away, don’t you think? I mean, you could just move out.”

“Actually, I was hoping that I could sleep over tonight.” Or for two days . . . or a week, I added silently.

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