Sundays. They all started the same, waking up early for 8 o'clock mass. I did indeed ask forgiveness for having Eli up in my room so late, yet I didn't regret a minute we spent. Church went by slower than ever, I was exhausted from only 4 hours of sleep, but giddy at the same time. Mass was finally over, and soon enough me and my parents were on our way home. The whole car ride, they argued about how my dad had to go to work as soon as we got home. I just blocked out their voices, pulling my cell phone out of my purse. I texted Eli, hoping he'd be up already…
Are you as tired as I am? :)
I spent the rest of the ride home flipping my phone open, waiting for his reply. Let's just say, it was a long car ride.
My dad didn't even pull into the driveway when we got home, considering he would just be back on the road, on his way to work. My mom and I got out and made our way inside.
"Clare you hungry? We could make chocolate chip pancakes, like old times," She said with a hopeful grin. Like old times. Memories of me and my parents whipping up pancakes played through my mind like a slideshow. It was something we used to do every Sunday after church. I missed those Sundays.
"Yeah, mom. I'd like that," I replied with a smile.
When we got inside, we took off our shoes and coats. I made sure to bring my phone with me into the kitchen, still awaiting Eli's reply.
Making pancakes with my mom helped me worry just a little bit less that Eli hadn't replied yet. When done cooking the pancakes, my mom and I sat down at the table with our breakfast, reminiscing about old Sunday mornings. It was really nice seeing my mom laugh. The last time I remember her laughing was at that church fundraiser we went to. That seemed like ages ago.
After I was done eating, I got up from the table and put my plate in the sink, "Mom, I think I'm gonna go lie down. I had a hard falling asleep last night," I said, looking over to her.
"Alright, Clare. If you wake up and I'm gone, I'm probably out getting groceries," She told me, I nodded my head. I grabbed my phone off of the counter and headed upstairs. Once in my room, I flipped open my phone. 1 New Message appeared on the screen. Eli just must've slept in or something. Once I opened up the message, my heart sunk. It was just Alli.
Hey Clare, we haven't talked in a really long time. Girl's night this weekend? Txt me :)
A girl's night did sound nice; I did have a lot to tell Alli. I replied with:
Sure Alli, we have plenty to talk about!
I tried to sound more excited and happy than I actually was. I was just getting a little concerned that Eli still hasn't replied. I wanted to call but decided to wait until after I took a nap. I didn't want to seem so anxious and desperate.
I changed out of my church clothes and got into Eli's tee-shirt. The spicy and woodsy scent of him was still laced into the soft cotton. Taking it in, I began losing consciousness.
What seemed to be only a few moments later, I awoke to the sound of my door creaking open. It was my mom. I felt so disoriented. When I had gone to sleep, the sun illuminated my room, and now it was pitch black. Then suddenly, my bedside light flickered on.
"Honey, sorry to wake you…But you've been sleeping for hours. I just wanted to check on you, are you feeling okay?" She asked, sitting down next to me on my bed. I just stared at her with furrowed brows.
"Wh—What time is it anyways?" I questioned, still not wrapping my head around the fact that I slept through the entire day.
"It's 7:34 honey," She answered, looking at the illuminated clock on my iPod dock. 7:34? Wow. "Clare, do you want me to go reheat your dinner for you? You must be starving," She said. FOOD. YES. It'd been quite some time since I ate, pancakes aren't that filling.
I nodded my head violently, "Yeah! I am so hungry."
My mom smiled, laughing at my reaction, "Alright, come down for it in about 5 minutes." She said, walking out of my room.
I swung my legs to get out of bed, revealing my pale legs from under the covers. I got up and walked over to my closet for some pants, but something in my mirror caught my eye, I walked back to it. What I saw were flustered cheeks, messy hair, and a black Dead Hand shirt. Dead Hand…Eli! How did I forget? Well, I did just wake up from like an 8 hour nap…
I changed courses and sped over to my desk, where I had put my phone before falling asleep. I opened it up, nothing. Nothing! Okay Clare, maybe your message somehow got lost in that big text-sending cyberspace. Alright, now I was just acting paranoid. During my little conversation with myself, I remembered my plan to call Eli after my nap. Simultaneously, I dialed his number. With every ring, my heart fell deeper and deeper into my stomach.
Hey. Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now. Here's the beep, and if you don't know what to do with it…Well then you shouldn't be calling.
His obnoxious voice mail greeting would've made me laugh any other time then right now. Where is he?
"Hey, Eli. It's me. I tried texting you earlier, I don't know if you got it or not but," I took in a breath, "I wanted to talk. After last night, I just…." My mom called down for me. "Just, please call me back…And soon. Bye." I hung up, slamming my phone down on to my desk. I grabbed a pair of sweats and began down the stairs.
My thoughts were clouded with fury and worry, but mostly fury. I made hundreds of excuses to myself about why he never answered, none of them satisfying. I just ate in silence, taking out my anger on the baby carrots on my plate. Even though I was mad, there was something banging on the back on my head. Something had to be wrong.