From Yesterday Read Free Page B

enough that Elyse was in the building gym the same time that I was this afternoon. She came right over to the elliptical next to mine and struck up a conversation with me. She didn't seem to care that I had headphones on and was listening to music, she pantomimed for me to remove them. Reluctantly, I turn Thirty Seconds to Mars off and place the ear buds in the cup holder.
    "Hi, Paige. I told Garrett, that's my fiance, all about meeting you yesterday. He wanted me to thank you for helping me with the groceries and invite you to dinner next Tuesday night. He left this morning to fly back home and finish up one last client account. He'll be home Monday night. What is your favorite food? I'll make it."
    Ambushed. I felt completely ambushed by this ball of energy of a woman. That, coupled with the fact that I couldn't think of a good enough excuse for a week from now must be why I tell her I'll come to dinner. "Okay, I'll be there."
    Elyse increases her stride on the elliptical. "Fantastic! What would you like me to make? Are you allergic to anything?"
    "I'm not picky. I'll be fine with whatever you make. I don't have any food allergies that I know of."
    "I'll think of something. I can't wait for you to meet Garrett. Sorry to interrupt your workout."
    I start to put my ear buds back in. "No problem. I've still got a while to go."
    She opens a magazine. I have no idea how anyone can read while they are gliding back and forth on a cardio machine, but I'm certainly jealous because I wish I could make the time pass faster that way. Instead, I close my eyes and lose myself to Jared Leto singing about punishment, pleasure, and pain.
    The truth is, I like Elyse. She has an easy-going nature about her that brings a semblance of calm to my inner nut job. For one moment, yesterday, I felt like I was visiting a friend when I was at her place. Eerie. I deny and deny and deny every chance I get to make a meaningful connection to someone and I know it's because of her. I died right along with Nicole that night and everyone knows it. My parents knew; that's why they sent me away that time. It's why I ran as far away as I could and didn't tell anyone how to find me.
    I just wish I could find myself.

CHAPTER FIVE

    I'm early to class. Very early. I couldn't sleep at all knowing I was going to have to face up to my childish behavior in the coffee shop the other day, so I hit the gym before class and now I have the nervous energy of a woman going on a blind date. Maybe Brady will be late and I won't have to talk to him. Won't have to apologize, or look into those blue eyes and try hard not to revert back to the shy little mess of a kid that lost her voice when boys came around. Boys grow up and girls become women, but I haven't changed much.
    Shut up, I tell myself. If I spent a little less time being melancholy and more time focusing on my school work, I'd probably graduate early. And when did I get so down on myself anyway? I spent precious time learning the fine art of I Just Don't Give a Fuck for a damn good reason. Nicole would be disappointed.
    The new boyfriend lives in a small apartment complex made up of a U-shaped two story building centered around a massive swimming pool. Because temperatures have already been dipping into the low 60s and sometimes 50s, this and most pools in the area have already been drained.
    Nicole parks her SUV in a guest spot. I don't bother to take off my seatbelt and get out.
    "Come on, Rebecca. Let's go up."
    I pick at an imaginary piece of lint on my skirt. I don't want to get out of the car. We shouldn't have come here. This is about twenty minutes outside of our neighborhood and it's not the safest area. "Can't I just wait here while you say hello or whatever? I'm sure this guy would rather see you alone, anyway."
    Nicole unclasps my seatbelt. "No, Rebecca. Turner really wants to meet you. I've told him all about you and he's excited to meet my adorable little sister. Besides, it's cold and I don't want you