Page 124 of Lessons In Grey
I groaned, the morning sun pouring in through the windows.My tongue felt as dry as sandpaper, my stomach growling, but I didn’t feel like eating.
I blinked a few times, watching as the blurry black cat came into view. She was sitting on the coffee table staring at me. “Mrow.”
I blinked heavily and forced myself to sit up, crying out as the pain overwhelmed my nerves. Fuck. What the fuck?
I lifted my hand, my eyes widening at the black bruises covering my skin.
What the fuck?
I blinked again, shaking my head, my breathing growing short and shallow as I forced myself to sit up. I had to walk. I had to get up and walk.
I groaned, tears streaming down my face. I had done this before. I had woken up before. I remembered that, I just couldn’t remember what happened. Why couldn’t I remember what happened?
“Mrow.”
My eyes lifted to hers. Right. I had to get up.
I took a few deep breaths before shoving myself to a stand, whimpering in pain, the whole world spinning around me.
“Mrow.”
“Give me a fucking second,” I seethed. I needed water. I had to get some water.
I closed my eyes, counting to ten before opening them again. Okay, I could do this. Just across the room and back, that was fine, I could manage.
I released a slow breath and began the long, slow trudge across the loft to the fridge. Each step was painful, each breath, each everything. I felt as if I were filled with glass and each shard was cutting me up every time I moved.
Getting the fridge open was a struggle as I wrapped my hand around the handle, the scabs on my knuckles cracking. I stared at those scabs before my eyes fell to my tank top, dried bloodcoating it. What the Hell?
Carefully, I reached for the hem of it with my free hand and gently lifted it up. There were no cuts and scrapes on my abdomen, just black and blue bruising. Where had the blood come from?
I shook my head and focused my attention back on the fridge. I needed some water, that’s all. Water and then rest. I’d deal with everything elselater.
29
Ash
December 2nd, 2021
It’s been two and a half days, Syn! She hasn’t answered her phone and Jerry is being a fucking bitch!” I snarled, throwing a glare over to the short, friendly looking man at the front desk. “She won’t call me back. She always calls me back.” Even on her worst days, she had always, eventually, called me back or at least apologized before classes started the next day, but this? No, no, something was wrong. I could feel it in my fucking gut.
“She’s sick, Ash,” Syn reasoned, worry clear in her eyes. “She’s probably just sleeping it off. This strain of flu is hardcore, and she never gets sick. You can’t keep worrying about it.”
My eyes widened, my breathing labored. “Then why is Jeremy acting so suspicious? She isn’t sick, Syn, something happened.” When Syn’s eyes didn’t change, I groaned. “I’m calling Navarro.”
Syn nodded, waving me on. “Good, go ahead. I’m sure he’ll say the same thing. She doesn’t have to text you all the time, Ash. She has her own life, just because she doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean she’s hurt. Jordan is gone, she’s okay.”
I pulled my phone out and found his name, only to hesitate when I read it over.
My eyes lifted back to hers, my heart thudding painfully. I sucked in my lips and sighed, dropping my hand in resignation. “I’m scared,” I whispered, my eyes burning. “Navarro is involved in some sketchy shit. What if something happened to her?”
Syn slid her hand over my cheek, the warmth of it sending comfort across my spine. “I know. But she could just be sick. She’s okay, she’s been doing better, Ash, and Greyson would never let anything happen to her.”
I looked back towards the elevator, hating that I had lost her key. I still hadn’t told her about it, scared that she’d get angry, or that Navarro would kill me. I still couldn’t figure out how I had lost it. I had been so careful. So careful.
Finally, I sighed. “Fine. I’ll give her another day,” I decided, my stomach twisting.
Syn smiled, running her thumb over my cheekbone. “I love you, I’m sure she’ll call by tomorrow.”