Chapter 44: Girls Day

                                    

                                          
Louise and I were silent as we stretched in the early morning sunlight. I followed Louise's movements as we dipped towards the floor and gently sat down, crossing our legs. 
                          
She took in a deep, calming breath, her eyes closed. I stared through the glass and to the lake outside. 
                          
Louise unfolded herself and stretched with finality, "So, you're still into yoga I see." 
                          
I nodded, "Yeah, I suppose I am." 
                          
"Is your man?" She raised an eyebrow. 
                          
I laughed and shook my head, "No, he's not that flexible."
                          
"No, he's built in the uh, other way," she smirked at me and I snorted, shoving her shoulder. 
                          
"I missed you," I said after a little bit. 
                          
"I missed you too. It was kind of awful, you know," Louise looked at me almost sorrowfully. 
                          
I frowned slightly, "What? Awful?" 
                          
She nodded and turned away, "I only knew where you were a handful of times. Police are trying to hunt you down, you were with a boy I had never heard of and you were going to so many places where so many bad things could happen...." she trailed off and pulled her knees to her chest. 
                          
I felt terrible for not calling her more often. I had been so used to hiding where I was that I forgot to tell the only person who really cared. 
                          
"I'm sorry. You know Logan was always looking out for me though, I was always safe with him. Still, I should've called you more, pay phones we're kinda scarce and Logan only had like five minutes worth on his janky phone," I chuckled lightly. 
                          
Louise's eyes widened a little and she hopped up quickly, startling me, "Oh that reminds me!" 
                          
I looked over my shoulder as I watched her run off into the house. She came back quickly, a small box in her hand with a pink bow on top. 
                          
"We got too tipsy last night for me to remember but I got you something. Happy early birthday," she giggled and plopped down in front of me. 
                          
The box was wrapped in polkadot paper and I grinned at Louise, "You didn't have to get me anything." 
                          
"Oh, it's apparently something you need," she snickered and I raised an eyebrow. 
                          
I ripped open the paper and gasped, "A phone? Oh, I get it!" 
                          
I began to laugh as I opened the iPhone box, "Louise! These are expensive." 
                          
"Oh the iPhone 7 isn't that expensive, not with my income," she waggled her brows at me. 
                          
I grinned at the matte black phone in the box, "Now I have no excuse and I'll have to call you." 
                          
"Yup. You're on my plan for now, so don't worry about it. SIM card and all," Louise beamed. 
                          
I smiled at her and leaned in to hug her, "Thank you. As soon as I get a job, you won't have to pay for me, okay?" 
                          
Louise pushed me back playfully, "It was nothing, don't even worry about it." 
                          
I grinned at her and turned on my new phone. I'd set it up and play with it later. 
                          
I opened up the camera and pulled Louise close to me, "First picture!" 
                          
We smiled and took a selfie. I quickly set it as my home background. 
                          
"My hair.." Louise grimaced. 
                          
"Shhh, you're fine," I stood up and started towards the kitchen, "Coffee?" 
                          
"Sure. Black!" 
                          
"Ew," I chuckled, pouring the coffee grinds into the coffee maker.