SAVE ME

TWENTY-ONE

On the way into the studio, Dom grabbed Madison's hand to stop her from walking. He turned her around to face him, his eyes following Casie as she went into the studio to find her dad. "I got something for you." He told her with a smile, taking notice of the way her eyebrows came together in confusion.

"Wait, really?" She wasn't expecting him to actually buy her anything while they were out shopping but her answering smile just encouraged him further. He let go of her hand to reach into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out a small black bag. He pulled out the item and reached behind her to wrap it around her neck before fastening it.

Madison looked down and grabbed the small padlock around her neck that matched the one he had, her smile immediately growing. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "This has to be the cutest thing anyone has ever done for me. I was literally obsessed with yours. Thank you." She stuck her bottom lip out into a small pout before she shuffled forward and slipped her arms around his waist.

She didn't want to let go of him once his arms were around her. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. It was the most beautiful sound. Something she wanted to record and keep with her always. "I knew you would like it." He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, resting his chin against her before he let out a soft sigh.

He knew he had to tell her about him going back home. It had to be now, while they still had time to be together. It would only get ugly if he told her any later. "I have something that I really need to tell you. I don't want you getting upset though, okay?" He pulled away just enough to see her small nod, worry flashing in her eyes.

She automatically assumed the worst. Every possible negative thought crossing her mind. She fought the urge to cry, not wanting to jump to conclusions before he actually said anything. "I'm going back home in a couple of days. I have to see my family and work on some music. I have an album i'm trying to release soon and I have to finish it up."

She couldn't help but feel sad over him having to leave. She was getting used to him being around. She felt happy. She wasn't sad at all when he was with her. It was like he hit the shut off button on her mental health as soon as her eyes landed on him. She was terrified of what would happen once he left. She knew her problems would come flooding back and she had no idea how intense it would be.

She would be left alone with her thoughts and would have to find someone to keep her somewhat calm until he came back around. "Oh. Okay, that's fine." She mumbled to him, hoping he didn't notice her voice being a little shaky. He did notice though, and it felt like his heart was breaking. He didn't want to leave her, but he had no choice. He had an obligation to provide for his fans.

"Don't be upset over it, okay? I will be back and we will spend every minute together if you want." He reached out to grab her hands before he pulled her into his chest, his arms slipping around her waist. He was also worried about what would happen with her while he was gone. He would be in a completely different country. He would be too far away to get to her if an emergency happened.

"I will be okay. If something serious happens, I will go find Rook. Or I will find my brother. Or I will just call you. I have options. I just need to make myself reach out to them. They still have no idea how bad my mental health is." I wished she would just tell them so she has someone to depend on when i'm not around. But I also know how hard it is to do that.

"Make me a promise, okay? Tell at least one of them. You have to have someone or I will worry so much about you while i'm gone." He held his pinky up for her to make a pinky promise. She flashed a bright grin at his childish gesture before she lifted her hand and hooked her pinky around his, bringing them up to her lips to kiss his finger gently.

"I promise. I will tell Rook. My brother already has enough going on. I don't want to worry him." He felt satisfied with that. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. He laced his fingers with hers before they both finally made their way into the studio.

"Are you two a thing yet or what? You were out there for a long time." Rook chimed in as soon as they stepped inside. They both hadn't noticed. To them it felt like just a couple of minutes. Madison looked up at Dom and nodded her head before she let go of his hand and walked over to Rook who was sitting at his drums.

"Can we talk in private for a minute? If you have time. I really need to talk to you." Rook didn't hesitate to put down his drumsticks before he got up and gestured toward the booth. It was sound proof so nobody but him would hear a word that she said. She was grateful for that.

She had to find the strength to tell him about this. She couldn't stop her hands from shaking. Rook took notice of this after he shut the door of the booth and reached out to take her hands to calm her down. "Hey, what's going on? Madi, you are crying." She didn't notice the tears streaming down her face until he pointed it out.

She was afraid to tell him but she had no choice now. She had promised Dom. "Rookie, I'm not okay." She mumbled in a soft tone. There was no turning back now. She ended up pouring her heart out to her best friend. She told him all the things that was going on in her mind. She even told him things she hadn't told Dom yet.

She told him about Dean. About all the things he had said to her, all the names he had called her. She confessed that he was the main reason she had such bad thoughts about herself. And when she told him that she had tried to take her own life and was hurting herself, Rook's eyes went from showing signs of concern to something much more darker.