Girl Next Door - Alyssa Brugman [21]
'Yeah, but it's still the wuss's option, isn't it? It's like the grown-up version of a fire-engine.'
I stare at him and then I take the two glasses and tip them down the sink. 'You are so determined to ruin everything. You know something, Declan? You're a great big fun sponge – you suck all the good energy out of the room, and what leaks out of you is stinky, wallowing misery.'
'I'm SICK!' he yells. His hands are shaking with rage. He's blinking rapidly.
'Yeah? Well, I have some problems too, in case you hadn't noticed. Maybe once in a while I might be the one who needs some support!'
Declan thumps the bench with his hand. The tremor has moved up his arms. 'Okay, Jenna-Belle, how about I pay for everything when we go out somewhere? How about I just give you two or three meals a week for six months! Is that supportive enough for you?'
'It hasn't even been six months!' I shout. It probably has, though. 'Besides that's not the support I want from you. It's not money. There has to be emotions in it, or it doesn't count.'
'JUST SHUT YOUR . . .'
And then he falls off his chair onto the ground.
Of course he's faking it, but he hit his head really hard on the tiles.
'You can get up now,' I tell his fake-unconscious body. 'You think a shandy is a wussy option? Passing out to win a fight is way more pathetic than that. Declan?' He's not getting up. 'Declan? Now you're just trying to freak me out. I'm not biting.'
I take advantage of this distraction to make myself a sandwich – cheese, lettuce and pastrami. I was going to add tomato, but when I slice it I can smell that delicious sweet, acidy tomato smell, and I can't help myself. I eat it as if it was an apple.
I prop myself on the stool next to where Declan is lying and eat the sandwich. Declan's mum has bought proper bread from a bakery. It's soft in the middle and crusty on the edges.
It's the most amazing sandwich. I guess that's one good thing about being povvo. We've always had so much food in our house. I used to hang off the pantry door for ages and wouldn't see anything to eat in there unless all I had to do was open the packet. Now I can imagine a meal out of almost anything. Three months ago I wouldn't have eaten a tomato as if it was an apple. I wouldn't have considered a sandwich unless someone else made it for me. I'm beginning to wonder if Willem and I might have been a little spoilt that way.
I dig Declan in the side with my toe. He still doesn't move. Now he actually is freaking me out.
I kneel on the floor and shake him, but he's all floppy. I need to get my mum. I head for the door and in two seconds I'm through our back door. 'MUM!'
I can't find her. I run from room to room. I stop in the lounge room and look out the window. She's there on the lawn. Her hands are in her hair. There's a tow truck in the driveway, winching up Mum's car.
The screen door hits the wall as I push past it and bound down the steps.
Her face is wet with tears and her mouth is pulled into a grimace. 'They can't take my car,' she whispers. Her eyes are desperate and weary.
'Mum, I need you!' I say, shaking her arm. 'It's Declan. He's collapsed. He won't get up.'
'I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I just can't deal with this right now.' She clasps one hand over her mouth and the other rubs absently at her belly.
Bryce Cole is beside me. I didn't hear him approach. He's frowning. He has his hands on his hips. I grab his sleeve and drag him towards Declan's house.
In the kitchen he gathers Declan up in his arms as though Declan's just a little child. Bryce Cole is trying to run, but the weight drags him down so that he's hobbling. I hold the door open for him, then run ahead to his car. I open the car door and he drapes Declan across the back seat, and climbs into the driver's seat.
I'm shouting out the window as we drive away, 'Mum, ring Declan's parents! Mum!'
I can't tell if she's heard me. She's watching them tow her car away.
Grey's Anatomy is my favourite show of all time. Everyone is gorgeous and they rush around removing bombs