When I reach the apartment, all my adrenaline wears off. My head, although buzzed doesn't distract me anymore. The hallucinations were back. A lot had happened. But even then I didn't feel like sleeping yet.
The downside of living alone is that you don't have anyone pressing you into a routine to fit their needs. You can do as much as you want, as much as you like, whatever, whenever. This power yielded upon me was dangerous. Because then, I would find myself skipping adult things to read in bed. Sometimes I would even forget that the night has come to an end, and keep reading till my shift at the mall begins. Today was one of those days when I had a day off.
Day off meant eating on time. And reading all the time except it. I made sure I attended all classes at Uni. My extra shift at the mall was initially for my college tuition. Then, the whole dynamics shifted when the scholarship came into the picture. What's there to not love about being a freeloader? A hundred percent scholarship on tuition for Literature studies? This was one of the reasons why Camile was skeptical about Montreal State.
I took the pills. The pills were something I got on after my little drinking episode. Yes, it had rendered me homeless. The memories of the night were still faint. What I was told is that, I really hurt a lot of people. Physically. It had put me off. I knew I was being framed. For one, I couldn't kill a fly. Or mosquito. But then, there were people with fingernails marking their faces, and bites all over their hands.
So, I had resorted to a very casual, very legal prescription drugs course for therapy. But they too had their side effects. It made me hallucinate. None of them were stronger, as compared to when the subject was something of my own interest. Like...
My head was muddled with Professor Hank's thin lips moving to read the illicit parts of 'The Mistress' Revenge'. It felt so real at the moment. My breath grew shallow, and before long I could feel the ache spreading through me. It was intense because... I had never spent a night not reading 'The Mistress' Revenge'. But none of it came to haunt me as bad, as today. Perhaps, it was because Professor Hank vaguely resembles the hot and rude Duke Canton? The thought made me gasp.
Come to think of it. Duke Canton was a character who kept to himself. He was ravishingly beautiful. He had the valour and wisdom of a saint, and yet he was too young. His whole life lays out to avenge the wrong doers, but he is awfully terrible at loving another. Didn't Professor Hank save me from being clumsy and dying today? But what could he possibly want?
Bzzt.
Unknown Number: I hope you have reached home safely
Unknown Number: If you are wondering, it's me. John.
Unknown Number: Come on, Jane. Remember all the fun times? Come back. We can have all of that.
A chill ran down my spine. I had blocked John's cell because I didn't want him around. He had the most perverted excuse to watch me naked in the shower and Camile didn't even know about it.
Me: Never text me again. You are sick.
I blocked the number again. There was not one good thing that could come out of being involved with John. I hoped Camile would figure that out. He made us drift apart. He let me go to university, only to tell Camile that it was a sham. And that he was a supportive 'man of the house'. Which was funny, given he still lives with his mom. And my sister. And at some point with me.
I had bigger things to worry about now. And John wasn't one of them. I don't even know what Camile sees in him. He seemed like someone who'd lie to get what he wanted. Maybe I should tell Camile about it. I dialled her up. Only that the call didn't get through.
Notification: You have unread texts from Camile.
Wait? How could this be? They were all dated yesterday.
Camile: How dare you sleep with John?
Camile: I know what you did, Jane.
Camile: I gave you a house and you are trying to screw my boyfriend.
What the hell? This wasn't true. Sleep with John? Eww. I wasn't that desperate. For God's sake. How could I even miss these texts?
Camile: Mom told me what you did that night. To think I could trust you.
Camile: You are a vile temptress. You bitch!
Camile: Fuck you, Jane. Never bother showing me your face again. You whore.
The fuck? I wanted to scream at the screen. I don't even know what the hell she was talking about. There was no way I did anything that they said I did. Then... My phone... Could it be because of what happened in the morning?
***
Earlier that morning
"Excuse me? Can you show me the way to B Block? I am looking for..." The guy was dressed in black leather from top to bottom. His big lashes fluttered as his blue eyes met mine. He sure wasn't from around here. His lips moved fluidly. God. He was breath taking. And so hot.
"Ma'am?" I wasn't sure what happened at the moment, but I reached for my phone. I opened the camera, and watched the flash as I clicked the shutter button. God, so beautiful.
"Ma'am? What the hell are you doing?" He yanked the phone off of my hand. His expressions weary and he seemed... Angry?
"I... I am sorry," I still hadn't realised the repurcussions of my actions. "I just thought I had made you up. Like in my head. I am sorry. I keep getting these... Hallucinations," by this time he had already turned away. He stomped away angrily and only then did I realise that my phone had developed a crack.