My heels clack furiously on the pavement as I run down the street, thankful our hotel is close by, not caring about the strange looks I’m getting or the fact that my feet are burning. Three-inch heels aren’t meant for this.
The elevator carries me up to the fifth floor, then I sprint down the hall to his room. I bang on the door and lean against the wall, trying to catch my breath.When no one answers, I pound harder. Someone pokes their head out next door, probably wondering what the commotion is, but I ignore them. “Travis, it’s me!” I press my ear against the wood, but there’s no sound coming from the other side. I’m about to run back to the lobby for security when my phone buzzes.
Travis:
WHERE ARE YOU??
Ellie:
Your room!! Where are you?
Travis:
YOUR room!
I scurry back through the hotel until I’m at my room. He’s sitting on my bed with his head in his hands when I burst inside. “What’s going on?” I do my best to keep my voice even, despite the panic filtering through me.
He jolts. That’s when I notice how pale his face is. A light sheen of sweat coats his forehead, and his pupils are huge. He types on his phone, and I grab mine again, waiting.
Travis:
I don’t feel well
“Bullshit. What’s going on, Travis? Your pupils are massive. What did you take?”
His eyes go wide, and he rushes past me into the bathroom. I follow him. He stares at his reflection in the mirror as if he doesn’t recognize himself, then he splashes some water on his face. He hangs his head over the sink. I fight the urge to slam it down on the porcelain to knock some sense back into him.
What happened?” I ask more gently.
Travis:
I did some coke. Only a little but I might be having a heart attack.
I shriek. “A heart attack?! We have to go to the hospital!” I fly from the room, and he chases after me, grabbing my arm. He shakes his head frantically. “You could be overdosing! You’re not supposed to mix stimulants, Travis! Cocaine and Adderall? That’s extremely dangerous! Do you want to die? What the hell is wrong with you?” I can’t help it, my panic is full-blown now. There’s no containing it.
His mouth opens, but then snaps shut again as he grabs his phone, clearly agitated. Well, join the club, pal.
Travis:
why would you think im on Adderall??
“Really? That’s what you’re concerned about? Not your heart exploding?! We need to go. Now!” My attempts to haul him to the door are weak. He doesn’t budge. His thumbs work again. I consider ignoring it, but he holds his phone up, tapping the screen repeatedly.
Travis:
I’m not taking Adderall and I’m not going to the hospital. I just want you to sit with me. Please!
“Trav, I know you’re lying.” I cup his face in my hands, forcing him to stop shaking his head and listen to me. “I found a pill in your wallet. I see the signs, stop lying to me.” His jaw flexes under my palms. He tries to yank away, but I hold tight. “I haven’t said anything to anyone, but you have to stop. What you’re doing is dangerous, and you promised. You promised your best friends you wouldn’t do this.” He glares at me, his nostrils flaring. “You’re better than this. What were you thinking?Cocaine, too?” My voice cracks at the end, and I have to fight off tears.
His eyes fall shut for a moment. When they open again, I see a sliver of remorse that passes quickly as he sends another message.
Travis:
You went through my stuff?
I shrug. I feel bad confessing when he can’t talk, but not really. “I did, and I’m not sorry. I was worried about you. Turns out I had every right to be.” I decide to leave Penn out of it and let him think it was all my idea for now.
Travis:
