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"Alex! What the hell?" Nichole exclaimed.
"Sorry." She slouched. "But he is really hot," she said straight to me. "Are you still with him?"
I looked at Nichole for an interjection. I was ready to lose it. She came over and grabbed Alex's arms.
"Alex, I need you to focus. How do you know her and her boyfriend? Where did you meet them?"
"At a party. Now, can you let go of me? You're giving me bruises." She looked at me again. "I am going to remember your name. Just not now." She stood up unsteadily. "Yeah, so, I'm going to be sick. Be right back."
She disappeared into the bathroom, slamming the door. A second later, we heard her dry heaving. "Well, she's a piece of work." I lay back down.
"Yeah, well, that piece of work is my little sister."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to –”
"No, it's fine. She has issues right now. I wonder how you guys know each other."
I was optimistic, but from the looks of Alex, I wasn't going to learn anything until she slept it off, but there was no way I was going to get back to sleep now.
"I better go check on her." Nichole went into the bathroom.
My first instinct was to call Brandt, but I didn't have his number. I had Grady's, though, but after our last exchange, I was hesitant. Plus, the whole point of leaving was to figure this out on my own and save Brandt from disappointment if I was in a relationship already. I wouldn't call them, not yet, at least. Nichole came out of the bathroom, dragging out Alex who had passed out.
"Do you need help?"
"Nope, I got this. This isn't the first time. Try to get some sleep. We'll get this all figured out in the morning."
"Yeah, okay. Night."
She slammed her door shut. I scanned the room, looking for a distraction that could keep me occupied until morning, but there was nothing. I could have watched television, but it didn't sound very appealing. It was still raining outside, but what was a little rain? I threw on a pair of sweats, a sweatshirt, and my shoes and went out the front door.
At least it was a warm storm. I hadn't tried the running thing yet, so now was as good as any time, I guess. I pounded the pavement hard and fast. I probably should have started slow, but I couldn't. I was too wound up from Alex's revelation. I needed to run off the anxiety.
Six hours. In six hours, I would know my name. I would know the name of my seriously hot boyfriend. I would know who I was. But would I remember? And did it matter? I ran harder down the quaint, dark, and very wet streets. My shoes kicked up water, and my footsteps echoed off the asphalt. My chest was on fire from the sudden exertion, but I didn't care. I needed this.
My muscles felt strained within five minutes, slowing me down already. I stopped, leaning over while trying to catch my breath. Maybe I shouldn't have made my first run so hard and in the rain. I choked on my breaths until, finally, my heart slowed down and my lungs cooperated. I started to go again, but this time, at just a fast-paced walk. I should be doing physical therapy, but without insurance, that wasn't really an option for me. Pushing myself this hard so soon was stupid. I was going to make myself sick. I walked back to the house and peeled off the wet sweats and slipped back into my pajamas. Running had distracted me for a whole thirty minutes. Only five hours and thirty minutes to go. Nichole's door opened, and she walked out.
"Hey, where did you go?"
"For a run."
She came and sat with me. "I'm sorry you had to meet Alex like that. She used to be so together. She had a rough go a while back, and she hasn't really been the same since."
"I can't believe she knows me." I was still in disbelief.
"I know, right? Small world." She threw her arm around me. "I kind of like you, though, so don't ditch me when you're reunited with your other life."
"I won't. I couldn't. You and the boys have been my only saving grace. And to be honest, I'm not very hopeful about what I'm going to find. No one's been shouting out for me or anything."
"Well, if this happened now, there sure would be shouting." She shook me encouragingly.
"Thanks."
We talked for a little while longer. She told me a little about her sister but avoided the topic that made her a train wreck. Alex was twenty and attended the community college here. She was staying with some friends in the dorm. Nichole and Alex’s parents were pretty well off, so they supported Nichole. The bungalow belonged to her parents and they let Nichole stay in it rent-free until her master’s degree was completed. They sounded like really loving and wonderful parents. My heart ached for my own parents.
Once my eyes were too heavy to keep open, we both retreated to sleep. My muscles were still throbbing from the spontaneous run, but I wanted to run more. It felt good, and it was just what Dr. Caldwell instructed me to do.
I WOKE UP to my body shaking uncontrollably. I searched for blankets, but they were already over me. Why was I shaking so much?
