Chapter 16 [ANA POV]

It’s boring in Celia’s bed. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I want her to come back. It’s like, 10 o’ clock, she left in the morning. I sleep most of the day. Then I hear a door open. I’m guessing its Celia. We’ve had so many memories together, Celia and I. It’s weird, really. We even got in a fight once. I remember it clearly.

         It was right after Kris and I were both beat up by some drug dealers. It was really bad. A couple days later, I lost it.

         I screamed at her, and I had never screamed at anyone before. I told her that she needed to get some “f*****g help,” and that she was a big loser. I also called her a s**t. And then, I slapped her. It felt awesome, slapping her. I had never slapped someone before. So as she held her face in pain, I got a big smile on my face, and before I could even realize how I looked like a huge dumbass, she tackled me to the ground, pinned me down, and started knocking me in the face. I was pretty weak, because the drug dealers, like a day before, had already beaten me. So I kind of lost the fight. But I got some good punches in there. Kris pulled her off me. She broke my already fragile nose. Now she’s taking care of me in her house.

         “Hey Ana, how are you doing?” Celia says, as she peeks into my room. She then walks to my side, and puts her hand to my forehead.

         “Well, you’re getting better.” She says. I try to speak, but as I open my mouth, I stop because I feel like I’m going to throw up more. I guess Celia can tell, because then she takes me to the bathroom, and I throw up a bunch. I get back into bed afterwards.

         “I should be getting home Celia.” I tell her.

         “No,” She says, “Actually I wanted to ask you a question.”

         “What?” I say, genuinely curious.

         “Well, I was wondering if you wanted to move in here.” She slowly says. I’m not sure what to say…

         “I have a dog.”

         “That’s fine. He can come, too.” She says, and smiles.

         Why does she want me to move in with her? I don’t get it. A week ago if someone asked me about Celia, I would have told him or her I hated the b***h, but now, I don’t know. Thinking about it now, I’m scared of living alone. What I might do to myself. So even though I’m skeptical, I say yes.

         “Great!” She says. “So you can sell your house.”

         “Okay. That would be a good idea. There are too many memories in that house. I need a new start.”

         “Exactly. I already made the arrangements, all your stuff is outside.”        

         “Wait… What?” I ask. I don’t get it.

         “Me and Steven spent the day moving your stuff into a truck.”

         “But you didn’t know I would say yes…” I say.

         “I knew you would.” She says. Am I that predictable? Is she psychic?         

         “What about my dog?”

         “He’s here.”

         “And the house?”

         “Taken care of. We’re meeting with an agent tomorrow.”

         “Why are doing this stuff for me?”

         “Because I want to. Don’t worry about it, okay?”

         “How can I not? I worry all the time. In kindergarten once, I had to take a time out, and I was so worried they were going to talk about it during my conference, I couldn’t sleep for weeks.” I tell her. She laughs.

         “Well… You aren’t in kindergarten anymore.”

         “It’s pretty much worse now.” I whine. She pats my head, and laughs.

         “Well Celia, I’m not a child. And I won’t be sick forever. I can take care of myself.”

         “Right now, Ana, I don’t think you can.”

         “It’s not like you’re my mom.” I say, on the verge of yelling.

         “Calm down, Ana. I am completely aware that we are not on the best terms. But you won’t push me away.”

         Maybe it’s because I’m too tired, or maybe because I feel safe, but then, I let her take care of me. She bathes me, which is kind of weird, but it’s not some sexy moment or anything. I look like hell, and we’re both completely straight. But if Kris were watching from “Heaven,” he would probably think it was hot.

         I’m in bed, reading at 12:00. Celia comes in, with some water for me.

         “How are you feeling?” She asks me.

         “Better.” I lie. “But I should probably get to sleep now.”

         “Good idea. Goodnight Ana.” Celia says, and starts to walk out of her guest room.

         “Wait.” I say, and she stops and turns.

         “What do you need?”

         “Can you maybe like, stay with me for a while? Just until I get to sleep?” I ask, sounding needy. But I don’t care. If she’s reaching out to me, I should accept it. So she smiles, and sits next to me. I fall asleep almost instantly.