Chapter 9: Hair of the Dog

Taylor

I clutch my pillow to my face and scream. I don’t hold back. I let a scream start in my lower abdomen and creep up my chest. I can’t control it. This scream hid inside the pit of my stomach for years. As it tapers off, I worry I will be hoarse. My throat is dry.

Lying on the bed, the room spins. My day replays as I close my eyes. A hug from Kennedy, a group hug with Jackson, his arm around my shoulders and her holding my hands. Jackson’s hand on my lower back. Everything felt natural. I forgot how easy they are to be around. I survived high school with their help. I couldn’t imagine college without them. Why did I let them slip away? How did I become so careless? Everything good in my life involves the two of them.

Taylor

I feel the bed depress beside me. I cover my eyes with my right forearm and groan. The sunlight filtering through the curtains is too bright.

“Morning,” Kennedy’s chipper voice greets. “It’s almost noon. Time for you to hydrate and eat.”

“Ugh,” I moan. I vow