SHE

EIGHT

I woke up, my hand automatically searching for Eden, yet failing to find her. Groaning, I got up and rubbed my eyes.

"Someone's in a good mood," Eden smiled, handing me a cup of mango chai latte.

I took a sip of the heavenly drink, sighing in pleasure.

"This is so good," I smiled, "thanks."

"I figured you'd like it. It's a favorite of mine."

She kissed me on the forehead just as her phone started ringing. She looked at the phone, her expression immediately changing.

"Why don't you go get ready, while I make breakfast?"

I nodded, getting up from the sofa. I guess we ended up falling asleep here.

"Yes, it's me... No.." I heard Eden talk in hushed tones from the kitchen.

The change in her voice made me curious as to who the caller was. So instead of going to change, I ended up sneaking closer to the kitchen to be able to listen to her. Curiosity will bring me down someday.

"s**t, that's not good... Is he okay?"

She sounded worried.. and mad. Who is "he"? And why wouldn't he be okay?

"Yes, I know.. I'll figure it out, just tell the others to stay put, otherwise, there'll be consequences."

The last sentence mixed with her voice that could freeze oceans sent a shiver down my spine. And unlike usually, this one was caused by fear.

"I said I'll deal with it... That's enough, we'll discuss it when I get there."

I could tell the call had ended.

There was a loud noise and before I realized, I was already in the kitchen. I saw her slamming her fist on the table.

"Fuck.." she cursed.

"Are you alright?" my voice was barely audible.

Her eyes snapped to mine, and I noticed how in a matter of seconds her expression went from ice cold to the familiar everyday one.

"Yes, sorry," she smiled awkwardly.

I looked at the table and realized she was apologizing for the bent in it. I had no idea she was strong enough to bend a table with her fist alone.

"What was the call about?" I asked, this time me being the one analyzing her.

"Nothing, just mom scolding me for not giving her heads up about staying here," she shrugged. So this is how it felt like when I lied to her.

"What's going on, Eden?" I looked at her, searching in her eyes for something, anything that would help me figure this out.

At moments like this, I would avert my gaze from hers, but she didn't and it made it clear she knew how to convince people. Lying was more familiar to her than me. Needless to say, I lied all the time.

"I told you already, nothing to worry about," she laughed, stepping closer and putting her arms around my waist.

"Then why are you lying?" I questioned, furrowing my brows.

"Just drop it, would you?" she leaned in.

It wasn't hard to figure out what she was doing. And it made me wonder how many times she'd tried to distract me already and how many times she succeeded in doing so.

I took a step back.

"I won't, lying isn't something I take lightly. Just tell me what's going on and then we can drop it," I said. I could be stubborn too.

She ran her hand through her hair, her jaw clenched. She was getting frustrated. "Then why are you lying all the time?" she snapped back.

I guess when she felt cornered she attacked the other person. A pretty self-destructive technique.

"This isn't about me, we're talking about you right now," I stated.

"No, that's not how it works, Ruby. It works both ways. I shouldn't be the only one being honest."

I knew she was right but decided to ignore it. "Just tell me and we'll move on," I sighed, trying to grab her hand.

"I'll tell you if you admit you aren't straight," she looked me straight in the eye.

For the second time today, I took a step back. "That's not fair," I said, my voice weak. I was straight. We're just friends. ..Right?

"We can't keep going like this. Either you're with me or you're not. You have to be honest with yourself," she said, searching my face.

"But I am with you. Ever since the day you came to this school I have barely left your side. We're really good-" I defended myself.

"If you say, friends, I'm leaving," she dared me.

I immediately shut up, trying to figure out why she was pushing me. I started to feel weakness creeping up to me.

"You can't just take every single question I ask you and turn it on me, Eden."

"So what? You can call me out on not being honest while I can't? How is that fair?"

Was this our first argument? Was I supposed to feel mad? Because all I felt was empty, weak and dizzy. I sighed, tired of this. This took up too much energy and made my headache even worse.

She noticed, her face now concerned, as she came closer to me, grabbing my hand.

"Ruby, I can't keep going like this. I know you feel it, so why can't you just admit it?"

I looked at her, the room spinning. I just wanted to be alone.

"Can you go?" I asked, looking down and squeezing my eyes shut, hoping the dizziness would fade.

I felt her eyes on me.

"Rub-"

"Please go," I said.

"Alright," she said, kissing my forehead and leaving the house.

And then it was quiet. And then I was alone. I couldn't help but feel like I shouldn't be left alone. Even though it was morning, I could feel the darkness suffocating me.

I felt dizzy, grabbing the table with my hand for support. For yet another time in the last few days, I had the feeling that something just wasn't right.

Suddenly I could tell I was about to throw up, as I tried my best to walk straight to the toilet without falling. I threw up every bit of what I had eaten last night.

"Disgusting," I said to myself, wiping my mouth.

I knew this was the last day of school before holidays, but I also knew there was no way school would be my priority today. I never missed school, but I guess it was about time.

I barely got up, trying to not fall. I decided I wouldn't be able to make it to my room since it was upstairs. So I fell on the sofa, immediately falling asleep.

I was back in the darkness, looking around. I shook my head, this wasn't real.

"Ruby, just give up," my voice whispered from afar.

"You can't fight it."

"It'll destroy you."

I shook my head even more.

"No, this isn't real," I tried to convince myself.

And then a very skinny, sick looking version of me stepped out of the darkness.

"Oh, but it is," she said, stepping closer, but falling.

She, or should I say I, looked so beaten up, my cheeks fallen in, dark circles underneath my eyes and chunks of my hair missing.

"You're not me," I said, this time more confident.

She smiled weakly, looking up from the ground.

"Not yet," she whispered.

I woke up panting, sweating and breathing heavy. At least the dizziness and sickness was gone. But the headache remained. I checked my phone, cursing when I realized I hadn't given the girls heads up about the canceled practice.

But when I checked the group chat and saw that the girls still did the practice on their own, I smiled being grateful for such a great team, sending them a text as an apology and explaining the reason as to why I wasn't there and didn't warn them.

I got up from the bed, going to the kitchen, to make something to eat. Eden was already there, slicing up some fruit, whilst some soup was cooking on the stove. She turned to grab a towel and saw me.

She smiled: "go back to bed, I'll bring the food, babe."

I looked at her confused, not quite sure what to make out of this.

"About earlier.." I said.

"You're stupid if you think it's that easy to get rid of me, Ruby Gold. I came back like 10 minutes later, and found you sleeping with a fever, smelling like vomit," she explained, still smiling.

I opened my mouth, to say something, but she cut me off.

"Speaking of vomit, you know I adore you no matter what, but you should shower," she gave me a wink.

I smiled, weakly, "I'll kick your ass when I feel better."

"I didn't know you're into that. How about spanking? That I can deal with."

"That food better be delicious!" I ignored her comment, going to the bathroom.

This girl will be the death of me.