Strings Of Harmony

♫35♫ I Think I'm Imagining Things Again

Chapter Thirty-Five

I Think I’m Imagining Things Again

 

It’d been three days since I last left L.A. I felt terribly alone here without my friends or my brother. I haven’t really called them or anything, but that all changed today when I took my phone out from under my pillow and stared at the screen of unread messages.

“Wow,” I breathed out, when I noticed fifty unread messages. I felt a wash of guilt flow through me. My friends must be worried sick.

I quickly pulled out a message from Lola: You left us a note without saying good-bye? I thought we were your friends! Is everything okay?

I pursed my lips and then texted her back: Everything’s peachy here. I’m just glad to be finally back. It’s been a while since I was last at home. Tell Ivy, Kale, and Hyde that I’m doing okay. You better win for me!

I hit ‘send’ and then backed out of her message. Scrolling through the list of messages, I nearly stopped breathing when I found one from Carson.

I tugged on my upper lip with my teeth. Should I open it?

Sighing, and feeling a bit furious of my curiosity, I opened up the message to see what it said.

Juliet, where r u?

At home…but it’s not like I’d tell you or anything. I thought to myself, as I backed out from the app and threw my phone over to the very edge of the bed. I turned around and buried my face into my pillow and groaned.

I hate my life.

“Are you awake, Jules?” asked my mom, as she quietly opened the door halfway.

I lifted my head up from the pillow and nodded. “Sort of.”

“How are you feeling?” My mom tentatively stepped into my room and then sat at the edge of bed, looking at me worriedly.

“Besides the fact that I can’t really feel anything, I guess you could say that I’m okay.”

Three days ago, when my mom had picked me up from the airport, I ended up sobbing all the way back home. I felt so vulnerable whenever she was around. I told her everything on the ride back. From my dates with Sterling to the constant emotional battle of my feelings for Carson…everything and anything, I had told her.

My mom didn’t say anything, only nodded her head as she paid close attention to my words.

At home, she stayed in bed with me until I fell asleep.

My mom sighed. “It’s been three days, Juliet,” she said, with concern.

“And why does that matter?”

“You can’t keep staying like this. It’s bad for your health.”

“I don’t care. I’d prefer I die than live my life this way.”

“Don’t say that!” My mom reprimanded, as she lightly slapped my leg. “You need to get up. I’ve made breakfast for you.”

I perked up at that. “What is it?”

“Come downstairs and you’ll see.” My mom smiled at me and then headed back downstairs.

My mom’s taking a break from work, hence the reason why she’s still here, at home, rather than at work, like my dad.

I got up lazily from my bed and then threw on an old T-shirt and sweats before making my way languidly down the stairs.

“Hyde called this morning,” my mom said, as she set my breakfast down on the table.