Chapter 26

                                    

                                          
Chapter 26
                          
I woke up to the sound of the door bell. How I heard it with my door shut? I have no idea. I just did. I groaned as I reached over to my bed side table and grabbed my phone. I unlocked the screen and checked the time. Almost ten o'clock. Wow. I slept long. I guess it makes up for the loss of sleep I had yesterday morning.
                          
I hopped out of bed and walked over to my cupboard. I opened the door and picked out a blue graphic t-shirt that had Just Believe written in cursive letters printed on the front. I stripped my tank top off my body and replaced it with the shirt.
                          
I walked over to my dresser and removed a pair of black jean shorts that came to my mid-thigh from the third drawer. I took off my pajama shorts and slipped on the jean shorts.
                          
I threw my dirty clothes onto my bed and put my phone in my back pocket. I didn't bother putting on socks or shoes. There really wasn't any point in doing so. I quickly brushed through my slightly knotted hair and pulled it into a messy bun. I didn't put on make-up either.
                          
After I was finished and satisfied with my somewhat decent appearance, I opened the bedroom door and ran down the stairs. Last time I ran down these stairs, I almost injured my aunt. This time, I didn't run into anyone. Thank God. I heard my aunt and Chris in the kitchen along with an extra voice. I knew exactly who it was.
                          
I burst through the kitchen door and smiled. He smiled back at me before holding out his arms signaling me to hug him. I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck as he placed his arms around my waist. I pulled back from him with the biggest smile on my face.
                          
"How's my best friend?" he asked playfully.
                          
"Better now that you're back!" I squealed.
                          
Paul smiled at me again, and I glanced at my family. Chris was smiling, and Aunt Jen was cooking breakfast. I wonder what she's making. From the smell, I'm guessing eggs and bacon.
                          
"So, are you excited to go to New York?" Paul asked.
                          
I nodded. "I'm so excited!" I squealed.
                          
Paul and Chris chuckled as I bounced up and down. Aunt Jen turned around with food in her hands.
                          
"Breakfast is ready," she said.
                          
"Paul, are you eating?" I asked.
                          
He nodded. "Yeah, I got here pretty early. I didn't have a chance to eat before I left."
                          
I nodded before following Aunt Jen and Chris into the dining room. Chris set four plates on the table. Aunt Jen set down eggs, bacon, and toast. I sat next to Paul and Aunt Jen with Chris across from me. We filled our plates and dug in. As always, Aunt Jen cooked an amazing breakfast, even if it was really simple. Everything she made tasted like heaven.
                          
We were all done in about twenty minutes. Paul and I caught up on each other's lives. Chris and Aunt Jen would join in every so often, but they mostly talked about the move tomorrow.
                          
I didn't really want to talk about the move. I mean I am excited, but I'm also nervous. I really want to leave. If it was up to me, we'd already be in New York. At the same time, I don't want to leave because I'm afraid to leave my friends. I don't want to leave Nick and Lilly, but I have to. If I want to forget everything that's happened, I have to go to New York, and I will go no matter what.
                          
Once we were finished, everyone filed into the kitchen and placed the dirty dishes in the sink. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as I was putting my plate in the sink. I took the phone out of my back pocket and unlocked the screen. I had a new text from Nick.
                          
From Nick:
Hey, El! I'll be there soon, but Lilly can't come. She's really sick and her mum won't let her leave her bed.
                          
To Nick:
Aww, is she okay?