Chapter 28:Being there for her

The phone ringing loudly in my room woke me up in the middle of the night and not in a fun way. 

Who could be calling at this time of the morning, I grumbled in my mind as I forced myself awake. 

I rolled around beneath the covers and then managed to find myself in a sitting position, my eyes still heavy from sleep, and my blonde hair going in every direction including my eyes. 

I used my left hand to sweep it off my face and then searched around for the ringing phone. 

It was on the bedside table blaring like a child crying for her mother's attention. 

I picked it up and quirked a brow when I saw my best friend's name on the screen. 

Why was she calling me at this time? Also she has been calling none stop since yesterday. 

I gasped when my eyes caught the time on the upper part of my phone. Two am. 

What the fuck!

I answered the phone and then growled into it. This better be a life or death emergency. I really needed my beauty sleep tonight, cause I was exhausted both body and mind. 

I refused to allow my mind bring up that which was troubling my mind. 

Falling asleep had been difficult because I wouldn't stop thinking about it. And when I finally got my mind to shut up, Sophie up and woke me up. 

She better be dying. 

"Good. You finally picked. I was beginning to think you are dead," she grumbled unhappily into the phone. 

I frowned confusion not getting why she would think that. 

"Why?" 

"Because you haven't been picking my calls," she whined like a baby. 

I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes even if I tried. Sometimes my best friend can act like a needy child. 

"Please tell me that is not why you woke me up," I begged in an irritated tone. 

She hesitated for a second before she said. "I can't sleep." 

What! Did I hear her well. 

"Let me get this straight. You woke me up from the sleep just because you can't sleep?!" 

The incredulity and annoyance in my voice echoed loudly in the room. 

"Why are you so cranky. Are you not getting any," Sophie whined again into the phone. 

What the fuck. I took the phone away from my ear to look at the screen just to make sure I was speaking to an adult human being, and not some alien with no brain. 

"Sophie!" I screeched into the phone. 

"I missed you," her voice came back soft and low pitched. 

The sadness in her voice made me pause and loose the irritation I was feeling. I became worried. My friend is always chirpy. Hard to hear her sounding dull, except... 

"Soph, are you okay?" I enquired gently sounding worried. 

My heart skipped a beat when she burst into tears instead of speaking. My best friend suffers from depression. It is been under control since she started taking her medication, but sometimes she still has episodes where her mood is so down. I have always been there to help her through it when she is going through her down moment. 

This probably why she is been calling all day. 

I felt bad and guilty inside for not picking. What I will never wish is to witness her get so bad again that she attempts to take her life. Seeing that the first time was enough. 

"Soph, what is it? Please talk to me," I begged through the phone almost in tears myself. "Did something happen?" I continued to fish when she didn't say anything. I kept my voice gentle, to let her know that it is her choice to talk or not. 

"I am here now," I muttered softly when she continued to cry instead saying something. 

"But that is it Em. You are not here. You left me alone," she cried into the phone. 

My heart squeezed tightly in my chest. I had thought she was doing well to handle me going to LA. And she said nothing. 

"You didn't say anything," I gently reminded her without sounding accusing. 

"What was I supposed to say. Hey, don't go because I need you here. I am not a kid that needs to be taking care of twenty fours. I am an adult and doesn't need to be watched!" She snapped through her tears. 

I didn't get annoyed at her burst of temper. I knew it wasn't me she was angry at. She is angry at herself. Sophie hates coming off needy. And I know that it has to be bad if she is calling me at this time. 

"Soph, I love you. If you had asked me not to go, I wouldn't have." I was being honest. Sophie is the only family I have. She is very important to me, and I will do anything for her. 

"I know, that is why I didn't. Emma I know how much you want your bar, and I wasn't going to stand in the way of you achieving your dream. You hate what we do, and I have seen it take a toll on you. I couldn't take away the only chance of you getting out." 

I understand she was looking out for me, but her health came first. My is just a dream, and as long as I am alive there will be other opportunities. 

"Soph, my dream is not worth your life. When did it start?" 

"The day you left." 

I was surprised by her admission. "Why didn't you say something. We spoke the other day," I gently scolded. 

She remained silent and I understood. She didn't want to be a bother. 

"And your medication?" 

She remained silent again. 

"Sophie!" I gently scolded again. "You know you need the medication," I reminded her. 

"I thought I was doing better. And Emma I don't like feeling like a crazy person." 

I can't say I understand what she is going through, but I am her best friend and I will always be there for her. 

"I am sorry honey, that I am not there. Do you want to come for a visit?" 

"Really!" There was hope and joy in her voice that brought a soft smile to my lips. 

"Really, and I have a lot to tell you." 

"Thank you," she said softly. 

"No thanks needed darling. You are my person. Have you taking your medication for today?"

"No." 

"Please will you take it. For me." 

There was silence on the other end. 

"I will remain on the phone with you," I assured her. 

"Alright, she accepted," her voice sounding tiny. 

I stayed on the phone with her, hearing as she got out of the bed and made her way to the bathroom where her medicine cabinet is located. 

She returned to the bed few minutes later. 

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" She asked in a pleading tone. 

"Of course." 

I heard the rustling of the covers which stopped once she was fully settled. 

There was silence on both ends which was softly disturbed by the sound of our breathing. 

"Sing for me."

I blushed at her request. "Soph, you know I can't sing." 

"Nonsense. You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Please," she pushed gently.

"Okay," I accepted her request. I took a deep breath and started singing Adele, someone like you. 

Just as I finished the song I realized that my best friend has fallen asleep. I held the phone listening to her sleep, glad that I was able to get her to sleep. There are times that her episode are worse that she can't sleep for days. 

I listened for few more minutes to make sure she slept on before I ended the call. 

I was about to go to bed myself when my stomach grumbled, announcing its emptiness. I wasn't able to eat much of the delicious spaghetti Cassius made after the disastrous encounter with Amelia. 

The thought of the encounter made me feel both hot and cold inside. 

I have never felt so crapy, after such an intense pleasure. 

I got out of bed determined to push away the thought of Amelia from my mind. 

I made my way to the kitchen and made myself hot chocolate. Eating now will keep me awake. 

I took the chocolate back to my room, where I drank it while reading a book with my phone. 

It didn't take long for me to drift off leaving half of the chocolate on the table, and my phone slipping down to the bed from my limp hand. 

When next I woke up and looked at the time on my phone. It was nine am. 

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I screamed in horror stumbling out of bed and racing towards the bathroom. 

I am so fired, I thought to myself as I went under the shower. 

I screamed again when my body was suddenly showered with cold water. 

I hurriedly dressed, putting no care to the clothes I put on. I just threw whatever my hand could reach and raced out of the house.