Please Let Me Stay
I woke up lying on the floor, my head throbbing. It didn't take long until I remembered the events behind my splitting headache. I wondered how long I'd been out. I slowly lifted myself off the floor. I looked out my only window and noticed it had to be about mid-afternoon. I walked to my door slowly and opened it carefully. I glanced into the hall cautiously and listened hard. I couldn't hear a thing and figured that Liz must've gone out.
I closed my door tightly and pulled the laptop out. I wanted to talk to my angel. I didn't care how much pain I was in at the moment, I knew the pain would subside when I was talking to her. I logged on quickly and saw her name immediately.
Dodger: Hey
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Hey …How are you?
Dodger: Fine
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Did your mom hit you again?
Dodger: No
I lied, that was the first time I'd lied to my angel, but I didn't want her to worry about me.
Blue-Eyed-Angel: That's good then
Dodger: Yeah, I guess
Blue-Eyed-Angel: So, your mom…
Dodger: Can we change the subject please?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Sure, what do you want to talk about?
Dodger: Your address
Blue-Eyed-Angel: What about it?
Dodger: I was wondering if you could give it to me sooner
Blue-Eyed-Angel: No, I said three days and I'm sticking to it
Dodger: I don't think I can last that long
Blue-Eyed-Angel: It's only three days… plus today's already half over
Dodger: You… I need… never mind
Blue-Eyed-Angel: It's only three days… What can happen in three days?
Dodger: …Not much, you're right
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I'm always right
Dodger: Sure
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I am
Dodger: I highly doubt it
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Would I lie to you?
Dodger: Probably
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Dodger
Dodger: No one can be right all of the time, it's statistically impossible
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Explained further
Dodger: Everyone has a time in their life where they reflect, they reflect and they re-evaluate… you're laughing at me aren't you?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: No …maybe …yes
Dodger: I knew it
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Dodger? …Dodger? …I'll be good I promise …Dodger?
Dodger: Fine… so three days?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Are you going to keep bringing that up?
Dodger: Yes… You have no idea how much I'd rather be with you right now
Blue-Eyed-Angel: It's only three days
Dodger: Yeah, but you have a life, loving family, friends… I have nothing
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Not nothing
Dodger: No?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: You have me
Dodger: Well, actually, if you gave me your address then I'd have you
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Nice try… it almost worked
Dodger: How about, as soon as I get there I'll give you the best kiss of your life
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Wouldn't be hard… but I barely know you
Dodger: How about a hug then? Because I sure as hell know I could use a hug right about now
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Poor, Dodger *hugs* …Damn you, you nearly had me there
Dodger: *hugs back and never lets go*
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Stop it, I won't give in… You only have to wait three days
Dodger: But three days is an eternity in hell
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Stop being overdramatic
Dodger: How much do you like me?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Whoa, it's nice being out here in left field… Where did that come from?
Dodger: How much do you like me?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I don't know… I'd say a fair bit
Dodger: Would you skip school for me?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I think that we've already established the answer to that one… but yes
Dodger: Would you tell your mom about me?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Sure, but she already knows
Dodger: Does she know my name?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I don't even know your name… Why are you asking me all this anyway?
Dodger: Well, if I'm about to move half way across the globe for you, then I have to be sure
Blue-Eyed-Angel: We live on the same coast
Dodger: I was talking figuratively… jeez… I can't wait until we can have a proper conversation
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I hear you
Dodger: What would we talk about?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: The weather
Dodger: Funny… No, seriously
Blue-Eyed-Angel: I don't know… stuff
Dodger: Nice plan… I like it
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Oooh, random thought
Dodger: Go ahead
Blue-Eyed-Angel: You said you have a cut above your eye right?
Dodger: And then some
Blue-Eyed-Angel: What?
Dodger: Nothing… That's correct
Blue-Eyed-Angel: And would you label yourself as a bad boy?
Dodger: I don't know… I guess… I'm no nerd or jock so…
Blue-Eyed-Angel: So bad boy's correct?
Dodger: Yes. Where are you going with this?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Nowhere in particular… I'm just trying to imagine what you're going to look like when we first meet
Dodger: Stalker-ish much?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Shut up… Don't you ever imagine what I look like?
Dodger: All the time… but then I do have the advantage of knowing what color eyes you have
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Yeah… that's unfair, what color are your eyes?
Dodger: Brown
Blue-Eyed-Angel: What shade of brown?
Dodger: Chocolate, I think… I don't really look at my eyes… You're picturing me with brown eyes right now, aren't you?
Blue-Eyed-Angel: Maybe…
"Jess," Liz called out as she opened my door.
"Shit," I mumbled as I tried unsuccessfully to hide the laptop from her view.
"What's that?" she asked motioning towards the laptop.
"Nothing," I replied as I tried to type out one last message to my angel.
Dodger: Mom's home, I've got to…
"Looks like a computer to me," Liz said. "Did you steal it?"
"No," I answered. "It's the school's, they loaned it to me for the day."
"The school's really?" Liz asked. "I don't believe you."
Liz advanced towards me. When she was close enough, she picked up the laptop and threw it violently against the wall.
"That was the schools," I yelled at her.
"Stop lying, Jess, I'm sick of it," Liz said evading my personal space. "You're lying about the computer and earlier you lied about fighting… Which it looks like you were doing again today."
"I wasn't fighting."
"Then how to you explain all the bruises and cuts?" Liz asked me.
"I… I…" I stammered. I knew I couldn't tell her the truth; that she hit me. "I wasn't fighting… Why don't you believe me?"
"Look at your track record, Jess," Liz said. "You've been in fights your whole life."
"That's not true," I defended.
"I'm sending you to live with your uncle," Liz said sternly.
"What?" I asked her confused. "No, you can't," I pleaded her.
"I can," Liz said. "You're leaving tomorrow morning, first thing."
"This isn't fair," I yelled at her.
"I don't care, Jess. I'm sick of this… I'm sick of you."
"Thanks," I retorted. "Can we at least talk about this?"
"No," Liz replied firmly.
"Can I stay for two more days," I asked her. In two days I would have my angel's address. Liz had to let me stay until then. "Just two days… and then you won't have to hear from me again."
"No," Liz said. "I'm dropping you off at the bus station tomorrow, so pack your things."
"Two days," I pleaded her. "Just two more days please."
"What difference does two days make?" Liz asked. "Your uncle is expecting you tomorrow, so you will be there tomorrow."
"This isn't fair. I don't even know this uncle."
"His name is Luke and he owns the local diner in Stars Hollow," Liz explained.
"Why can't this wait two days?" I asked her.
"Because it can't," Liz said as she stepped away from me and sat down on my bed, head in her hands. "I know… I know what I did to you Jess," Liz said motioning towards my face and I subconsciously turned my head away.
"It's fine," I replied. "Just two more days… I won't come back, I promise."
"My brother Luke is a good man," Liz continued sadly. "He can look after you. He can give you the love that I never could. He will look out for you, but most of all he won't… he won't hit you."
"I don't blame you," I said as I put my hand on Liz's shoulder. "Why can't I just stay two more days?"
"If I could let you I would," Liz replied. "I've entered myself into a rehab program, Jess. I'm not going to be here as of tomorrow afternoon."
"I can stay by myself," I pleaded. "I know how to look after myself."
"I know you do, honey," Liz said as she looked up at me. "But Luke's expecting you tomorrow and I don't want to let him down again."
"Does Luke know you're going into rehab?" I asked her. I figured I might as well accept it. My uncle might have a computer. I wasn't sure, but I was fairly certain my shattered laptop wouldn't work anymore.
"He doesn't know," Liz said, "and you can't tell him… Please don't tell him anything about this, Jess."
"I won't," I promised her.
"I'll let you start packing," Liz said, giving me an awkward hug before leaving the room.
I walked slowly over to where Liz threw the laptop. I picked it up and examined it. The casing looked fine, just a couple of scratches. I opened the top and crossed my fingers as I turned it on… Nothing happened, shit. I closed it forcefully and shoved it into my duffel bag. While I packed, I wondered whether or not Stars Hollow had a computer repair shop… Stars Hollow, who the hell calls a town something like that? I sighed as I pack up my books. I was going to need them when I found my angel… and I would find my angel, one way or another I would track her down.