Chapter Eleven

After a while of running, I stop at Starbucks and get some coffee. I thank the barista and go to a table. I sit down and get out my phone. I get on Instaglam and look up Amy. (amypaints123)

I find her and scroll all the way to the bottom to see her posts from the time she first got her account. I smile as I look through her pictures of when she was just sixteen. Apparently, her natural hair color is red.

After I finish my coffee, I order another one for home, and call Kelli. She picks up after a few moments.

"Hello?" she asks.

"Hi," I say. "It's Kim."

"Oh, hey, Kim!" Kelli says. I can hear the smile in her voice. "What's up?"

"Sorry if this is weird," I say. "But I was wondering if you could come pick me up at Starbucks? The closest one to the apartment."

"Oh, girl, that's not weird! Of course!" Kelli responds. She hesitates. "Why didn't you call... Your roommate?"

"Oh, right," I say. "She's helping set up for a wedding reception or something, so I called you. I don't really have anyone else here."

"Oh," Kelli says. "Yeah, it's totally fine, I was just wondering. Anyway, Starbucks, closest to your apartment?"

"Mhm," I say.

"'Kay! See you in a minute!"

"Thanks, Kelli!"

I hang up and smile. Two friends in San Francisco! Freaking progress!

"Kim!" one of the baristas calls. I raise my hand from the corner. She nods to herself and makes her way over. She hands me my cappuccino. "And you wanted it in a cup? Not a mug, right?"

"Mhm," I say, taking a sip from the little hole in the lid. "Perfect! Thanks so much!"

The barista nods and walks back to the counter.

I walk outside Starbucks and wait on the bench under the front window. After a minute, Kelli pulls up to the curb. She has an Outback Subaru. A light silver one. It's really cool. I raise my eyebrows and get up. I get in the passenger seat and buckle up. "Thanks again, Kelli."

"Oh, girl, don't even worry about it!" Kelli says as she quickly drives into the road before someone comes to tell her she can't park in front of the shop or something. "Where to?"

"Oh, just back to the apartment, if you don't mind."

"Girl! Not. At. All!" Kelli says. She giggles. "I'm sorry if I'm annoying.

"Gurl! There is no. Way. You're annoying!" I say, mimicking her. I smirk.

"Um," Kelli says. "So, you're bi? Or were you just saying that?"

"Oh..."

"S-Sorry," Kelli says.

"No, it's... It's fine."

"Don't feel like you have to answer," Kelli says, taking a turn.

"No, it's okay... I'm just not super sure right now. I know I love her, but... It was so sudden."

"I understand."

After a few minutes, Kelli drops me off at the apartment. I thank her and wave as she drives away. I take my key out of my jacket pocket and unlock the apartment. I go inside and into the elevator to the sixth floor.

I get into my room and call for Amy.

"Guess she's still gone," I say, shrugging.

I shower and get into sweats and a sweatshirt.

I turn off all the lights and go into my bedroom, curl up in my bed, and look at Instagram in the dark. I don't know when, but I fall asleep later.

In the morning, I decide to stay in bed. After a while, I hear the door open and slam. I keep quiet. I don't understand why, but I do.

I hear someone sniffing. I don't know why I don't get up. It's obviously Amy. What is wrong with her? I want to help her, but for some reason, I stay put in my bed. I hear Amy crying. I get up quietly and peek out of the crack in between my door and the doorway. She's slumped down against the door and has her face buried in her arms. She looks up and still doesn't notice I'm not gone. She stands up and goes to the cabinets and starts opening them rapturously. She finally gets on her tip-toes and reaches the top cabinet.

She gets a stool and brings down a wine bottle from it. She gets a wine glass from one of the other cupboards and sits down at the counter. She is about to open the wine bottle (be aware that she is 20, not the legal drinking age) but stops suddenly. I see a tear slide down her cheek. She looks deep in thought. She sighs and puts the wine and glass back in their places.

Amy stays at the counter under the cupboards. She grips her hair and cries. I slowly and silently open my door and walk (also silently) to her. I come behind her and hug her. She flinches, obviously because she thought I wasn't home, but doesn't move or say anything. I hug her from behind.

"Don't stop," I say. "Let it out."

Amy cries loudly, like she's being cut. I let one tear slide down my face before pulling myself together. The hard thing is, something or someone hurt Amy. And I don't want anyone I love getting hurt.

After a minute, when Amy is more calm, I sit her down on the couch. I wrap her in a blanket. I frown. Her red face is tear-stained and tired-looking. "I'll be right back, I promise!" I say, kissing her head. I slip my Birkenstocks on and get my keys. (Be aware I am in sweats and a sweatshirt) I dash out of the door and lock it behind me. I rush out of the building and speed down to Starbucks.

"Hi! What can I--"

"Caramel cappuccino, stat," I say, not saying anything else. The barista raises her eyebrows and her eyes widen. I hesitate. "Please."

I wait at one of the ends of the barista counter. I hear my phone. People stare at me. I roll my eyes and answer, forgetting to look at who called me. "Hello?"

"Hi!"

"Um, who's this?"

"Kim, it's mom! I can't believe you answered!"

I groan. "Mom, bad time. Bye."

"Honey, wait! Don't hang up! Please I—"

I hang up.

People all around me stare at me judgmentally. "Would you people mind your own business?" I say loudly. The barista comes with the caramel cappuccino I ordered. "Anything else?" she asks. I don't bother answering her and shove ten dollars at her and take the cup and rush back to the apartment.

I open the door to our room. I gasp and nearly drop Amy's coffee.

"Amy..." I say, walking slowly towards her. "Please... Put the knife down."