Chapter 10
Daphne
****** This chapter contains depictions of disordered eating and obsessive exercise behaviors that may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help and support. Resources are available, such as the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline, which can be reached at 1-800-931-2237 or via their website at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. Your mental and physical health is important. ******
Night had fallen over the city. The late October air was cool and crisp as Theo pulled into the drive way of Daphne's apartment complex and put the gear in park.
"Thank you so much," Daphne sighed, grabbing her baseball cap and her purse. "Dinner was delicious. Although I did have my doubts."
"You're welcome," Theo smiled.
"And thank you for the ride home," Daphne reached for the door. "Drive safe."
"You're not going to invite me up?" Theo asked.
Daphne looked over her shoulder, "No. This isn't a date."
Theo feigned a look of exaggerated disappointment. "Not a date? You charged me two grand for this evening."
"Don't say it like that," Daphne sassed. "You make me sound like a hooker."
Theo chuckled. "No post-dinner coffee or anything? Not even to celebrate our success tonight?"
"Coffee at this hour? Do you want to keep me up all night?" Daphne teased, raising an eyebrow.
Theo smirked. "Well, I wasn't planning on sleeping anyway."
Daphne laughed, shaking her head. "Nice try, but I have a busy day tomorrow. Unlike some people, I can't just delegate all my work."
"Ouch, that hurts," Theo said, clutching his chest in mock pain. "I'll have you know I'm very hands-on with my work."
"Sure you are," Daphne replied, grinning. "Especially when it comes to schmoozing and boozing."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "Hey, it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it."
Daphne laughed again, opening the car door. "Goodnight. Try not to cry yourself to sleep."
"Goodnight," Theo shook his head, still smiling. "Don't get too lonely up there."
Daphne shot him a final smirk as she stepped out of the car. "I think I'll manage."
Theo watched her walk towards her apartment, a bemused smile on his face. He waited until she disappeared into the lobby to drive off.
Back at the apartment, Daphne switched on her lights and tossed her purse and baseball hat onto the table. She slipped off her shoes and headed into her closet. Grabbing a change of clothes, she quickly packed her gym bag and grabbed her keys once more.
On a Friday night, the building gym was a ghost town, just the way Daphne liked it. She put on her headphones and walked over to one of the treadmills. In her mind, Daphne began to calculate the calories of the pizza she had with Theo and the salad she ate for lunch. As the numbers piled up against her, she raised the incline and increased the speed of the treadmill. Blasting her music, Daphne began to run.
The numbers were never-ending in her head. The salad at lunch was 350 calories. The apple she had was 70 calories. The handful of grapes were 90 calories. Daphne pumped her legs as she stared at the number of calories burned on the treadmill. She had to burn off the pizza before she got to bed. It made her sick to her stomach knowing she had allowed herself to lose control and eat the whole thing.
Her thoughts spiraled further. The pizza Theo had made for her tasted amazing, but now it felt like a heavy weight in her gut, a constant reminder of her momentary lapse. She increased the speed again, her legs moving faster as she tried to outpace her guilt. The treadmill's display showed the calories burned, but it was never enough. It felt like a battle she couldn't win.
Daphne's breathing grew labored, her body protesting the grueling pace, but she didn't slow down. She couldn't. The numbers in her mind were a harsh taskmaster, and she was determined to obey. Sweat dripped down her face, her vision narrowing as she focused solely on the treadmill's screen.
She lost track of time, lost in the mechanical rhythm of her movements. All that mattered was the calories burned. The treadmill became her penance, each step a punishment for her perceived indulgence. Daphne pushed herself to the brink, desperate to erase the guilt and shame that clung to her like a second skin.
Eventually, exhausted and drenched in sweat, she slowed the treadmill to a walk. Her legs felt like jelly, and her chest heaved with every breath. But the numbers on the screen provided a small measure of comfort. She had burned enough calories to offset the pizza, at least for now.
Daphne wiped her face with a towel, her thoughts still lingering on the calories she had consumed and burned. When she checked the time on her phone, she wasn't surprised to find that it was past midnight. It had taken her two hours to burn off the pizza.
A wave of frustration washed over her. Two hours for a moment of indulgence. Two hours of relentless running to erase a few minutes of pleasure. She couldn't let that happen again.
As she gathered her things, a new resolve took hold of her. Tomorrow, she would be better. She would regain control. No more pizza, no more careless eating. She needed to cleanse her system.
Green juice. She would drink only green juice tomorrow. The thought provided a twisted sense of relief. It was a simple, straightforward planâone that would keep the calories at bay and help her feel purified. Kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, a splash of lemon.
No solids, no temptations.
___________________
Lily
Hugging her pillow tightly to her chest, Lily curled up on her bed and stared at Wendy's bare walls. She could feel the frown on her face.
"How long are you going to be like this?" Wendy asked.
"Until I'm over him," Lily buried her face in her pillow.
"Lily," Wendy sighed. "Come on, it's been a whole week. Let's go out. Let's go have some fun. Alexa invited us to a Halloween party."
"Halloween?" Lily whined. "I hate California. This is not spooky weather. I'm still wearing shorts, Wendy. If I was back home, I would be in my cute boots and sweaters."
"Okay, yeah, Cali doesn't have New York fall weather, but we have other things," Wendy said. "We have awesome Halloween parties."
"I don't want to go," Lily shook her head.
"But you have to," Wendy insisted. "You need to get over Gabriel."
Lily groaned. She flopped over in bed and covered her face with her pillow.
"Do you know what the worst part is?" She asked before sitting up. "The worst part is that I can't even be mad at him. I can't claim he cheated on me. He was never mine to begin with."
"And he's not Hanna's either," Wendy grabbed Lily's arm before the girl fell back on her bed again. "He's always been like this. Since my freshmen year."
"I hate him," Lily's frown deepened.
"I know you do," Wendy said softly. "But hating him isn't helping you. Getting out, having some funâthat will help. Alexa and I made plans for you tonight. She's a little suspicious as to why you're so heartbroken but I just told her it was over some guy. I didn't say it was her brother."
"Thanks," Lily pulled her pillow closer and sighed. "I just feel so stupid. I really thought there was something there."
Wendy sat beside her, wrapping an arm around Lily's shoulders. "You're not stupid. You're just hurt. But you're strong too. Strong enough to get through this. And I'll be right here with you."
"I know," Lily leaned into Wendy's warm embrace. "Thanks."
"You can thank me by going to the party with me and Alexa," Wendy nudged her. "I owe you a party remember?"
"I don't know...." Lily sighed. "I don't even know what to wear. Is it a costume party?"
"It is," Wendy nodded. "We can pick out costumes together."
Lily hesitated, but Wendy was trying so hard to cheer her up. Lily didn't have the heart to let her friend down.
"Alright," she said finally, a small smile breaking through. "Let's do it."
Wendy beamed. "This is going to be so much fun. We'll find the perfect costumes, something that'll make you feel sexy and amazing. And you're gonna find a new guy and you're going to forget all about Gabriel Reyes"
Lily smiled, "Okay....I'll try it."
"Great," Wendy stood up and pulled Lily to her feet. "We'll hit up a few stores tomorrow and see what we can find. Maybe something spooky, maybe something cute. Whatever makes you feel the best. But now you have to go. You have a study group for calculus, remember?"
"I don't wanna go," Lily sat back down on her bed.
"Then you fail and your brother will call and scold you," Wendy handed her her bag.
"Can't a girl get some slack to heal a heartbreak?" Lily groaned. "I hate everyone!"
"There, there," Wendy nudged her toward the door. "Go get yourself some coffee and girl boss it."
With a final groan and foot stop, Lily took her bag and exited her dorm room. She dragged herself to the library with her arms folded over her chest and a big frown on her lips. She wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed, but Wendy's words and the thought of her brother's disapproval pushed her forward. Pulling the library door open, Lily stepped inside and turned toward the group study hall.
As she rounded the corner, her eyes immediately spotted Gabriel, waiting for her at their regular table. Her heart sank.
Of all days, why did he have to be there now? Lily thought.
Despite the anger bubbling within her, she couldn't help but notice his tousled hair, the way his eyes scanned the room, the confident yet relaxed posture he always seemed to have. It all made her heart ache even more. It was almost painful to look at him.
Taking a deep breath, Lily steeled herself away before he saw her. She quickly rushed over to her study group and slid into the empty seat. Pulling out her textbook and notebook, she hid behind her hair to distract herself from the boy responsible for her blues.
As the study session began, Lily tried to focus on the calculus problems in front of her. Her eyes skimmed over the equations, but none of the numbers made sense. Every few minutes, her thoughts drifted back to Gabriel, sitting just a few tables away. The sound of his voice, the way he laughed, even the way he scribbled notes in his notebookâall of it was maddeningly distracting.
She clenched her pencil tightly, her frustration mounting with each passing second. The more she tried to concentrate, the more her mind rebelled. She could see him out of the corner of her eye, his presence an inescapable distraction. The numbers on the page blurred together, becoming an indecipherable mess.
"Lily?" One of the boys from the study group tapped her notebook. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied curtly, not meeting his eyes. She felt like she was on the verge of losing her mind, the frustration and heartache threatening to overwhelm her.
Minutes passed in tense silence as Lily tried to regain her composure. But it was no use. She couldn't take it any longer. With a sudden burst of frustration, she slammed her book shut, the sound echoing through the quiet library.
Heads turned, including Gabriel's. He looked at her, concern flickering in his eyes, but he didn't say anything.
"Sorry, I have to go," Lily muttered under her breath. She gathered her things hastily, her hands shaking. Without another word, she stormed toward the exit.
When she got back to her dorm room, Wendy looked up and raised a brow.
"I'm not over him!" Lily dropped her bag and fell onto her bed. "I'm so not over him! Fuck my life!"
"Oh Jesus, the F-bombs," Wendy cringed.
"He was there, Wendy," Lily picked up her head. "He was at the library. Waiting for me at our table."
"Well, he is your tutor."
"I can't look at him without remembering his betrayal."
"Okay, now you're being too dramatic," Wendy rolled her eyes. "Get up and get your shit together. This is embarrassing."
Lily groaned, her face buried in her pillow.
"I know this isn't the best or brightest option but Alexa promised me her brother wouldn't be there," Wendy said as she grabbed Lily's car keys. "Let's go. We planned a surprise for you."
"I'm not going to his house!" Lily sat up, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"He won't be there," Wendy assured her. "Trust me, I would not have picked it if I had literally any other option."
"Why can't we hang out here?" Lily looked around their dorm room.
"There's not enough space here," Wendy said. "Plus, we're going to get messy."
"What do you mean?"
"Just grab your bag," Wendy said. "Come on. I promise this will make you feel better."
"No."
"Lily, I swear I will throw you over my shoulder or drag you down the hall by your ankles," Wendy threatened.
"I just want to lay in my bed-" Lily screamed as Wendy grabbed her ankles. "Oh my god!"
"I warned you," Wendy said, pulling her off the bed along with the blanket and sheets.
"I'll walk!" Lily grabbed her bedpost. "I'll walk."
"Thank you for your cooperation," Wendy released her legs and stood up. "This way, Princess."
Lily muttered under her breath and followed Wendy out of the dorm room. Once they got to the parking lot, she happily let Wendy drive as she sulked in the passenger seat. It was a gloomy cloudy day, matching Lily's mood as they drove down the highway toward Alexa and Gabriel's house. Halfway there, Lily looked at the side mirrors and spotted a black car.
"What is it?" Wendy asked as Lily sat up and looked back at the road behind them.
Lily frowned, "Keep an eye on that car."
"Why?"
"I don't know," Lily couldn't take her eyes off of the car. "I feel like I've seen this same car the other day on my way to campus from your parents' house."
"It's a black car," Wendy said. "There are so many black cars on the road."
"Yeah, I guess," Lily watched the car. "Maybe I'm being paranoid."
"Look," Wendy pointed to the mirror. "They're taking this exit. See. Just a normal car."
"Yeah..." Lily sat back down. "Don't mind me."
For the remainder of the short drive, Lily watched the dark heavy clouds. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she wished she could be back home in New York for the fall. But as they pulled into Alexa's driveway, Lily's eyes lit up at the sight of the pumpkins.
"What's this?" She asked, stepping out of the car.
"Surprise!" Alexa shouted, throwing her arms around Lily. "We're carving pumpkin heads."
"What?" Lily laughed.
"You said you were missing fall back home so we decided to bring fall to California," Wendy rocked back on her heels.
"You guys," Lily placed a hand over her heart. "This is the sweetest thing ever."
"There's more," Alexa grabbed the girls and pulled them toward the backyard. "I got hot chocolate and some fall decorations. My mom is working late at the hospital and Gabriel is out with Tio Robin. We have the whole house to ourselves for scary movies!"
"See," Wendy whispered to Lily. "I told you we got rid of the jerk."
"This is amazing," Lily smiled, feeling her heart grow light for the first time in the whole week. "I might cry."
"No crying," Alexa said. "Especially not over boys. And I'm still mad that you won't tell me who this guy is."
"Just some guys...." Lily shook her head. "But I don't want to talk about him tonight."
"Noted," Alexa handed Lily a carving knife. "Let's murder these pumpinks."
Lily laughed, taking the knife and turning her attention to her pumpkin. The three of them gathered in the backyard on the grass, surrounded by pumpkins, carving knives, and an assortment of spoons. The smell of pumpkin guts filled the air as they scooped out the insides, laughing and chatting animatedly.
With extreme focus, Lily carved out two large eyes and a wide, toothy grin, the process strangely therapeutic. Wendy was busy creating an intricate design, while Alexa went for a classic jack-o'-lantern face.
As they finished carving, they placed the pumpkins over their heads, carefully positioning them so they could see out of the eye holes. They posed for silly pictures, making goofy faces and exaggerated gestures. The laughter was infectious, filling the yard.
"This is the best idea I've ever had," Wendy declared, snapping a selfie with her pumpkin head. "We look ridiculous!"
"That's the point!" Alexa said, striking a pose.
Lily giggled, her spirits lifting higher with each passing moment. "I needed this. You guys are the best."
The sky outside began to darken, the late October evening giving way to night. Just as they were about to take another round of photos, a sudden clap of thunder echoed through the yard. A light rain began to pour down, the sound of it against the pumpkins creating a soothing, rhythmic backdrop.
"Looks like we're in for a storm," Wendy noted, glancing up at the sky.
"Perfect timing," Alexa said with a grin. "Let's take some pictures in the rain!"
"Are you serious?" Lily asked, her eyes widening.
"Absolutely!" Alexa grabbed her phone. "Come on, it'll be fun!"
With the pumpkins still on their heads, the three of them ran back outside, laughing as the rain soaked their clothes. They took more pictures, capturing the spontaneous moment. The rain was heavy, but it only added to the excitement, making the night even more memorable.
"This is insane!" Lily shouted over the sound of the rain, her smile widening.
"Maybe we should head back inside," Wendy shouted over the downpour.
Laughing and giggling, the girls ran back into the house and took off their muddy shoes. Lily pulled off her wet socks and tossed them beside her shoes as she ran into the house, seeking warmth.
"Do you have towels?" She asked Alexa, taking off her pumpkin head.
"Upstairs," Alexa pointed. "I'm going to wash off the mud on my feet. There's a bathroom in the basement, Wendy."
"Yeah, I need to get this mud off," Wendy said.
"I'll grab the towels," Lily's teeth chattered as she grabbed the stair rails and hurried upstairs.
"Oh shit!" Alexa yelled from halfway down the basement stairs.
"What?" Lily paused. "What is it?"
"The storm knocked off the power," Alexa complained. "I think Gabriel has some flashlights down here."
"Do you want me to come help you look?" Lily asked.
"No, we got this," Alexa said.
Desperate for a towel, Lily turned back around and hurried up the stairs. The second floor was dark and barely visible. The flashes of lightning illuminated her path as Lily carefully walked toward Alexa's room.
"Alex, where are your towels?" She called out, opening a random closet in the hallways. "Nope. Just sheets."
Suddenly, a warm fluffy towel wrapped around Lily's shoulders. Gasping, Lily stilled as Gabriel's scent invaded her senses.
"You're gonna catch a cold, florocita," Gabriel lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered. He slowly brought the edge of the towel up and began to gently rub Lily's wet hair.
"You..." Lily's breathing labored. She shivered from the cold and from the sound of Gabriel's voice as she felt him step closer. "You aren't supposed to be here."
"Are you hiding from me?" Gabriel wrapped the towel around Lily and tucked the edge in to cage her into a tight wrap.
"Wh-why would I hide from you?" Lily asked.
"Because you ran away from me at the library today," Gabriel slowly turned her around in the dark. A streak of lightning lit up the sky momentarily, illuminating Gabriel's dark eyes. Lily flinched as thunder followed the bright light.
"Lily?" Lily jumped once again as Wendy called from the bottom of the stairwell. "Did you find the towels?"
Letting go of her shoulders. Gabriel stepped back and pointed to the closet beside the bathroom.
"Third shelf," he said.
"Thank you," Lily shifted her weight.
Gabriel's eyes raked over her body before coming to rest upon her feet. She stood in a pool of rainwater dripping from her soaked hair and clothes. When another flash of lightning lit up the sky, Gabriel looked up and met Lily's gaze.
"Don't slip," he said, turning on his heel and walking back into his room.
"Lily?" Wendy called again.
"Coming!" Lily pulled her arms out of the towel burrito Gabriel wrapped her in and ran to the closet. She grabbed a few fresh towels before running back downstairs.
"Thank you," Wendy said as she took one of the towels. Lily grabbed her elbow and pulled her closer.
"Gabriel is here," she whispered to her friend.
"What?" Wendy's eyes widened. "What the hell? Alexa said he would be with their uncle."
"I don't know," Lily whispered back. "He's here. He's upstairs and I just saw him. He gave me the towel."
"What do you want to do?" Wendy asked. "Do you want to leave? We can leave."
"We can't leave," Lily pointed to the window. "We'll die if we drive in this storm."
"We can't stay here with that whore upstairs," Wendy hissed.
"Everything okay?" Alexa asked, coming up the stairs from the basement. "I found flashlights and our old Ouiji board."
"Yeah," Lily stepped away from Wendy. "Everything is fine. I was just asking Wendy if she remembered to close our window."
"Oh I should probably check on mine too," Alexa said.
"And your brothers," Wendy added. Lily nudged her with her elbow.
"Good idea," Alexa said. "I'll go grab some shirts for you guys to change into. And then we can speak to the spirits."
"Okay," Lily nodded.
Wendy waited until Alexa ran upstairs to grab Lily's arm, "Are you sure you want to stay?"
"We don't have a choice, do we?" Lily whispered back. "We can just stay down here and as soon as the rain stops we'll leave."
"This is insane," Wendy tugged at her hair. "This was a total fail. We walked you right into the lion's den."
"We're fine, we're fine," Lily assured herself and her friend. "We just have to stay here. That's all."
Wendy groaned and placed her head down on the counter. Lily patted Wendy's back sympathetically. She couldn't help but tug the towel draped over her shoulders. It was still warm and carried Gabriel's faint, familiar scent.
Lily inhaled deeply, allowing the scent to envelop her. It was a subtle blend of something fresh and woodsy, a scent that seemed to bring a smile to her lips. She felt a thrill of excitement and a tinge of warmth spread across her cheeks. Her belly clenched with a mix of nervous anticipation and affection.
After a few minutes, Alexa arrived in the kitchen with two clean T-shirts and pajama shorts. She handed them to the girls and began to light the candles she had found in the basement.
"I'll go change upstairs," Lily said.
Wendy eyed her suspiciously, "Are you sure? There is a bathroom downstairs."
"The basement is dark and scary," Lily bit down on her bottom lip.
"Oh, I bet," Wendy's eyes narrowed. "Super scary."
"You two should change before you catch a cold," Alexa looked over her shoulder from the sink.
With a silly grin on her face, Lily ran up the stairs before Wendy could stop her. She giggled as she ran into the bathroom and shut the door. The candle Alexa placed upstairs provided just enough light for Lily to pull off her wet clothes and dry off her body with Gabriel's towel. She wrapped her hair up in it before pulling on the shirt and shorts Alexa gave to her and stepping out into the hall.
To her disappointment, Gabriel's door was closed. She hovered by the stairs wondering if he would step out. But after a few minutes, as Alexa called to her, Lily shook her head and hurried back downstairs.
"Any ghost sightings?" Wendy arched her brow, her eyes following Lily.
Lily shook her head, "Nope. All is clear."
Gabriel is being so difficult in my head >.< What does he want?!