Chapter 24

I called my dad, once I had calmed myself down. He was yelling and cheering into my ear about my memory being back, and he didn't even ask about Mateo, thank God. I told him I was going home, then. His voice changed, as he told me he was so happy that I'd come, and that he wanted me to visit again soon.

   "I will. Promise," I told him. "I'll call you soon, okay? When you're back from your trip?"

   "Okay, El. I love you, honey," he finished.

   "Love you too, Dad."

   I called my mom next, but it went to her voicemail. I knew she was working, so I wasn't surprised that she didn't answer.

   "Hey, Mom, so, my memories have come back... I'm doing good... so I am ready to come home tonight. If you can come. Call me back," I left a message.

   I felt incredible anxiety thinking about going back to Ann Arbor, trying to fix everything with my mom, and Paige. But I had one more month of summer before Tess and I would be on our way. I had another heart break under my belt, but like Tess had said, maybe college would be better for us.

   It was early afternoon when I Facetimed her, hoping she was around to chat. After a few rings, it connected. I saw Clare, Tess' sister, on the screen.

   "Hey, Elena!" she yelled. "You've been gone forever."

   "Uh, a week, yeah... how're you?" I asked her.

   "I'm great. It's my birthday in two weeks. I'm getting my own phone. Well, I hope so anyway."

   I smiled at her, noticing that my eyes looked dark and tired. "Where's Tess?"

   "Uh, she's in the kitchen. I was using her phone for Snap Chat," Clare told me.

   "Clare, what are you -" I heard Tess' voice. "Oh! Give me that. El! Hey!"

   "Hey," I said, smiling again. I was so happy to see her, and recognize her.

   "You totally ghosted me last night. What happened?" she asked, plopping down on the sofa.

   "Ah, a lot. But I got cleared from the doctor and my memories are pretty much back," I answered.

   "That's amazing! But what happened with Mateo? You said you did something..."

   I sighed, trying not to show anything on my face. "Is Clare still there?"

   "Yes, I am," I heard her little voice.

   "Tess, I'll tell you when I get home, okay?" I said instead, not wanting to talk about it anyway.

   "You're coming home? When?" she yelled, excited.

   "Tonight, I think. It'll be late though. If my mom drives here after work, it'll be after eight, then like eleven before we get home."

   "Oh, yeah, your car -"

   "It was totaled. Insurance will go through soon, but..."

   "Well, I can't wait til you get home. I started our packing lists, for college. We have so much shopping to do," Tess changed the subject.

   I smile again, finally feeling happy for the first time all day. I really didn't want to talk about Mateo, or even think about him. Once I was home and settled, maybe I could tell Tess more. But not now.

   The rest of the day dragged on, and it was after 5P.M. when my mom called back. I had wasted time on my phone, and made a salad for lunch. I'd sat in the backyard for awhile. But the house reminded me of Mateo, so I mostly stayed in my guest room.

   "Hello?" I answered, when my mom called.

   "Oh, Elena, hi honey," she said quickly, like everything was fine. "I got your message. I'm so glad about your memory. It was so scary thinking about you, there..." Now, I knew her voice. I knew it was my mom. But I also knew she sounded like she was being forced to say these things.

   "Yeah, I'm good," I told her.

   "Good. It's just that... I have to work late tonight, at least until seven. So I was wondering if you could take a bus? I'll cover the cost."

   "A bus?" I repeated, surprised.

   "I'm sure there's a Greyhound station there, right? Check the times and -"

   "I'm not taking a bus," I said, stopping her.

   "Elena, don't be dramatic. It will be fine," my mom said, which made me even more mad.

   "No, I'll stay here. Don't worry about it." Tears filled my eyes.

   "You have to come home, Elena. Your little vacation is over."

   "My vacation? Where I got into an accident and broke my wrist and lost my memories?" I yelled.

   "Elena, please," she sighed. It was like she was already sick of me and I wasn't even back yet.

   "I said don't worry about me, okay?" I repeated, and hung up.

   I was laying in the guest bed for the last time, around midnight. I'd packed my bags all up. I had to leave - that house made me feel things that I didn't want to feel anymore. I was going to spend the night there and leave the next day, somehow.

   SO, MY MOM BAILED, I texted Tess. Not that I was surprised by this, and I wasn't sure she would be surprised, either.

   OMG. REALLY? SO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? she sent back only a few minutes later.

   I DON'T KNOW. I MIGHT TAKE A GREYHOUND.

   SHIT. WELL, I COULD COME IN THE MORNING. CLARE WOULD HAVE TO TAG ALONG, THOUGH.

   REALLY, TESS, WOULD YOU? I asked her.

   UH, OF COURSE.I WAS GOING TO SPEND ALL DAY TOMORROW ASKING YOU EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR TRIP, ANYWAY, she replied.

   TESS, YOU ARE THE BEST. I'LL SEND YOU THE ADDRESS, I finished, already feeling a bit better. I was so lucky to have Tess.

   OF COURSE. WE WILL LEAVE AS EARLY AS WE CAN. SEE YOU TOMORROW BABE.