Once Upon A Bet

/23/ Help

[Recap Chapter 22: after the fight with her parents, Nova drank more than she usually does and tried drowning herself in the pool. She's taken out by Jake and George (the butler) and had a panic attack when everything came down to her]

Dedicated to iitsdarkie, thanks fot all the lovely support so far <333

The first thing I noticed what the painful throbbing of my head, shattering my awaking mind.

Next was the uncomfortable bed. How could that be? I had a king size mattress, how on earth was I this compressed in it? But as I regained more and more conscience, I took it it form and rigidness. I wasn't in a bed.

Blinking achingly, I slowly realized I was indeed in the back seat of a car, cuddling a purse -my purse, and in an uncomfortable position so I would fit laying across the seats. My pulse drummed apprehensively. Where was I?

I jolted into a sitting position, regretting it right away as my headache and stiff muscles shrieked for attention all the more. What the hell? I held my throbbing skull, blinking at the sudden light and once I was able to see past it and got the chance to ogle around it baffled me further.

I was alone in the car, all the windows were rolled down, allowing a soft breeze to enter the small space, but it was still too hot and I was nearly sweating in the oven this vehicle was becoming under the rising sun.

My heart picked up at the unknown surroundings. I was in a nearly empty parking lot by what looked like a highway, in the middle of nowhere. There was a short building by the lot and I squinted my lids trying to read the sign through my shortsightness. I could barely make it out, but judging for the colors and all I was pretty sure it was a 7-Eleven.

How on earth did I end here? Gently brushing my forehead, my gaze slid from the building to the side, noticing for the first time a blond figure seated on the bonnet of the car. His back was towards me, facing the beach, but I could easily recognize him and my heart did a little somersault.

Jake.

And just like that last night rushed back at me.

The fight, the pool, the hospital...

I grimaced at the bitter memories. I could barely remember anything after being pulled out the pool. Everything was darkness and anxiety, barely conscious as they rushed me to the hospital and once there they pulled me out the panic attack with tranquilizers. It had been so humiliating, all those doctors coming and going, asking me questions, asking me why-

I cringed, embarrassed of the show I pulled out last night.

They kept me in observation for a couple hours and once they were sure I was okay, they finally let me go, prescribing me some medicine after I told them about my insomnia and diverting me to a therapist. A therapist! Like I said, humiliating. And Jake stayed in the waiting room the whole time, aware of my shame and lack of control.

They'd wanted to notify my parents too, but I knew better than that. They would only make it worst complaining about me wasting their time, about being dramatic, and increased their hate. I couldn't have them hating me more... Besides, I was and adult technically, so it wasn't imperative their notification of my every move anymore.

Jake and George knowing were more than enough.

Oh my God, George... How was I supposed to face him again?