Chapter 19: Applesauce Diet
I layed in the actual guest bedroom for 2 hours with my eyes shut, trying to force sleep on myself… It did not work. I got up, pacing back and forth in the backyard, hoping the sun could zap away any energy I had.
The slide door peeked open. "Still awake, huh?" Kiera asked.
"Unfortunately. I feel like a crazy person."
Kiera laughed. "I have some Ambien if you want?"
"That would be great… How much?"
She laughed again. "Don't ever ask me that again. Just give me a second." She retrieved the Ambien and handed it to me from inside, along with a water bottle. I drank a few sips and went back inside to the guest room. My mind was going crazy thinking of Kiera, but I focused my willpower and avoided succumbing to her influence.
I kept seeing shadows moving in the corner of my eyes, but every time I looked, nothing was there. Certain shadows would lightly evaporate out of my vision, others instantaneously gone. I began testing it by keeping my head forward, then snapping it to the left to catch the shadows. Nothing worked. I twitched my head back and forth like this for hours. I don't remember falling asleep…
19 hours later
I was physically incapable of opening my eyes. I forced them open with my fingers, breaking apart a thick layer of crust. I rubbed off the excess and dragged my fingers horizontally across my eyelids, brushing away the crumbs. The faint sun-rays kept me in a permanent squint. I tried to shut the blinds further but they were a bit too small to perfectly conceal the rising or setting sun. I did not know what time it was.
My feet were in agony and my legs were sore and felt wobbly. My back felt like a crocodiles, jagged, broken, popping with each movement… My neck was so stiff that simply turning side to side let out excessively loud pops and cracks.
"Morning, sleepy head." It was Kiera. I waved… My vocal chords were so dry that I figured they would rip and tear if I tried to speak. Kiera must have known. She grabbed me a glass of water and watched me drink the whole thing.
"At least you're drinking something. When you're ready, come to the kitchen, ok?"
I nodded. I was thankful for her company. I thought of Jocelyn again… I missed her dearly. I checked my phone, ignoring all the missed calls and texts from the rest of the world, only searching for her name. Nothing…
I took a seat in the kitchen as Kiera cooked some bacon and eggs. The smell made my stomach twist and churn in anticipation. It felt like my abs were squeezing my spine. I held my head in despair while rubbing my eyes with my fingertips.
"Rough night?" Kiera mused.
"Fuck yeah…"
"Where's Jocelyn?" Kiera asked. I thought it was a weird question, but to be honest, I was thinking the same thing.
"I think she's supposed to be back by now, but I don't know."
"Hmm…"
Time seemed to skip forward as Kiera set an appetizing plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of me, along with a pile of applesauce. She sat at the seat across from me, eating much faster than I could. I felt every nutrient being squeezed into my body. When was the last time I ate? I had no idea. The eggs and applesauce went down easily, but I had to chew the bacon slowly, nibbling on it like a bird. My teeth and jaw were in agony.
"Thank you so much," I said, bringing my plate to the sink and hand-washing it.
"You're welcome," she smiled at me endearingly… Her lips spread apart.
"What is it?"
"Your hair…" Kiera started to giggle into her hand. She approached me and started fixing my hair. I blushed at how close she was.
I took a subtle step back. "I should probably shower and stuff."
"Come to my room when you're done," she whispered. I held my breath until she was gone…
Ariel's door was open. I knocked and waited outside.
"What up, homeboy?" Gordo said, somehow knowing it was me. I walked in. Gordo was shirtless, using an old desktop computer. Ariel was doing something in the closet.
"Sup, sup… Is it alright if I use the shower?"
"You ain't gotta ask, ese…" Gordo kept his eyes on the computer monitor.
"Thanks."
I took a shower. Even the water stung my skin. Every microbe in my body was screaming in agony.
Kiera's door was cracked open. I knocked and she invited me inside.
"Shut it, please."
I apprehensively did so, peeking my eyes outside to ensure nobody was witness to it.
"You wake up yet?" Kiera said. It took me a few seconds to register what she meant.
"Oh, no, not yet. My pipe is in the guest room." Come to think of it, I've been awake for about an hour now. This was the longest I had gone without wake-n-baking.
Kiera opened her drawer. "You don't need that shit. I got the good stuff…" She pulled out a glass chessboard and cut up some shards with a credit card. 4 lines divided equally. She handed me a short straw, allowing me first pickings. The idea of 'taking a break' jolted in my mind for half-a-second before I replaced the thought with action…
I sniffed a line and immediately my pains disappeared. My mind felt clear, happy, motivated in an instant. My soreness was gone. The blurriness went away and my eyes could see once again. Energy came from the ether and filled me up. Warm blood oozed through my veins. My joins felt sturdy and limber again. I could finally breathe and taste the air… I had a wide grin on my face as I passed the straw to Kiera.
"Aww, there you are. Welcome back." Kiera snorted her line and leaned back. I took the 3rd, she took the 4th. She scooped up the residue with her finger and looked me in the eyes as she licked her fingertip clean. I giggled nervously…
Kiera stepped close to me and hovered the credit card in front of my face. I tried to grab it, but she pulled away and gave me a stern look. I froze for a second, but then, my body melted as it moved on its own accord. I licked the credit card clean in a single swipe. Kiera cooed approvingly. I've never known a taste more bitter, more disgusting, yet at the same time, more exhilarating, like the worst medicine in the universe but with the most potent effects.
My face twisted into the character logo for those sour warhead candies. Kiera laughed. "You're a trip, Kashi…" She took the glass chessboard and licked it clean. "Have you been on the roof yet?"
I shook my head. She smiled wickedly. I followed her to the backyard. I could've sworn I saw Ariel peeking outside her room from the corner of my eye, but I did not turn in her direction to find out.