Damn it.
“Guinevere,” I said to her, hoping Hannah would just keep walking, but luck was never on my side.
She whipped her hair to the side as she faced us.
“Let’s go,” Guinevere replied, allowing me to take her outside again. We didn’t stop until we could only see the distant light of the hospital disappearing behind us as we entered the park. Neither of us said anything, and it took me a second to realize I was still holding her hand. I dropped it.
“Do you feel sixteen?” she whispered, looking up at the sky.
I thought about her question for a second. “Running probably was the least mature thing we could have done.”
“Screw being mature, it’s a pain in the ass anyway,” she muttered. “I forgot that was her hospital, too. You told me, I know, but I forgot. What if I see her?”
“Throw paint on her,” I joked.
She giggled. “That would probably make her feel better…she would think we're even or something. I guess it would be best to do what you’ve been doing—”
“Avoiding? Running? No, I’m tired of doing that.” I really was, but what I found odder was the fact that I was more worried about her making a scene than anything else. It would just be messy for my mother and the hospital.
As we walked silently, I felt like there was something between us. For the first time, I really thought of her as a friend.
“What is it now?” She moved in front of my face.
“What?”
“You have this weird look on your face.”
“Move. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Chapter Nine
A Cry For Help
Eli
Looking to my phone, I stared at the background, her painting of a small boy just standing in the rain, an umbrella broken at his feet.
What is she doing right now?
After thinking for a second, I texted her.
‘Con artist.’
‘I thought we were being civil!’
I grinned. ‘Sorry, force of habit.’
‘Yea sure, Dr. Asshole.’ … ‘Sorry, force of habit.’
‘Are you here?’ I hadn’t seen her that morning.
‘Waiting on supplies. Won’t be there til later. You still at the hospital?’
‘Getting off now. Drinks tonight?’
‘If you’re buying.’
‘Cheapskate.’