Bound Together by Eliza Jane Read Free Book Online Page A

on our last flight. I fished the stick of gum he’d given me right before we boarded from my pocket and settled back for the long flight over the Atlantic.
     

 
     
    Chapter Ten
    Matt
     
    After landing and getting our luggage, we got into a shuttle for the thirty minute drive into the city of Paris. My head throbbed and between the happy chatter of my classmates and the driver’s swerving, the only thing I concentrated on was not getting sick as we barreled down the highway into the city.
    I opened my eyes when the van came to its final stop. Our hotel was a simple nine- story pale stone building with an arched front door, awnings over the windows and a dark wooden floor in the lobby. Mr. Rhinehart reminded us we had a few hours to rest in the hotel, or sight see nearby before a trip to the National Museum of History and then a group dinner tonight.
    After a quick check - in process, Bobby and I found our room. It was a tiny corner room with two narrow beds, a wardrobe and a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. The tall window billowed with white sheer curtains. I face - planted onto the bed near the window, not even bothering to remove my shoes.
    “So I’m gonna go out for a bit,” Bobby said.
    I grunted and waved one hand blindly over my head, hoping he understood t hat meant, ‘cool see ya later.’ ”
    I heard the door open and sounds of laughter and talking as Bobby met up with the others out in the hall.
     
    *****
     
    The pounding in my head intensified and pulled me from sleep. I cracked one eye open and multi - colored lights flashed before my eyes , even after I closed them again. Sometimes sleeping helped me to get rid of a headache, but not today. The flight and jet lag must have been a perfect combination for a migraine. I realized the pounding was n’t coming from inside my head, but instead against the door. Bobby must have forgotten his key. I got up and stumbled for the door, opened it and then fell back onto the bed.
    “Um, hello?”
    I looked up and saw Zoey standing in the open doorway. The light flooding in from the hall created a halo around her. “Shut the door,” I said into my pillow. I h eard the door click softly and was grateful.
    “Come on, everyone’s going to the museum.”
    I didn’t move.
    “What the big, strong, Matt Parker is too jet - lagged to go out?”
    I groaned and rolled over onto my side into the fetal position.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice softer than before.
    “Migraine,” I replied without opening my eyes.
    “Oh. ” She hesitated for a second. “ A nything I can do ?”
    “My meds. They’re in my bag.” I motioned to the suitcase I’ d dropped at the end of my bed. I heard her come c loser and opened my eyes to watch her crouch down and unzip my suitcase. She carefully moved my boxers aside and dug in between the stacks of T - shirts until she found the pill bottle.
    “Is this it?”
    I nodded and held out my hand. “Thanks.” I squeezed my hand around the bottle and let my hand hang limply off the bed, working up the energy to actually open it.
    “Do you need me to get you some water or something?”
    “That would be awesome,” I whispered.
    She pushed my shoulders back until I was lying against the pillow. “Just try and relax. I’ll be right back.”
    A few minutes passed and Zoey knocked softly on the door . I pulled myself out of bed to go open it. I stood ther e, steadying myself against the door frame, squinting into the light. She put her arm around my waist and guided me back to the bed. I sat down , leaning against the headboard for support. She opened the pill the bottle and handed me one, then brought the opened bottle of water to my lips. I closed my eyes and swallowed the pill down. I didn’t know what caused the sudden change in Zoey , or why she was being nice, but I wasn’t about to complain right now.
    “Thanks, Zoey .” I leaned my head back and closed my eyes again.
    “Anytime.”
    “I guess you have to go