Falling off the Edge-under heavy editing

Chapter Thirty Three

Edited 13/01/17 (wOwie it's a new year guys!)

Monday morning, I woke up with a temperature and my throat burning.

I was sick.

Oh what a wonderful time to be sick. I had about a million things to overthink about and now I had a whole day to be alone with my thoughts. Fabulous.

I shakily tried to get up off of my bed to go downstairs and fetch myself a glass of water and some Panadol but my legs gave out and I slumped down onto the bed again. I groaned.

My head was pounding and going light headed by the slight fall and there was no way in hell I was getting down to the kitchen. And me being the stubborn person I was, refused to be useless like this and pushed myself to try again despite my weak state.

"Okay, breathe in," I told myself and took a deep breath. Then I let it out. "And breathe out."

As soon as I said that, I propped myself up and gripped onto my bedside table. Nice, now all I had to do was cling onto the wall until I got down to the kitchen.

Swaying back and forth like a drunk person and sticking close to the wall like a crab, I finally made it down after what seemed like forever.

My eyes scanned the kitchen until I found what u was looking for, a nice clean glass. I filled it to the top with tap water and took a big gulp. It washed down the funny taste in my mouth and quenched the burning sensation in my throat.

After I refilled it again, I made my way back up to my bathroom determination still in tact.

I discovered some stray packets of Panadol inside the medicine cabinet and took two for starters. I shoved the rest into my pocket and shuffled like an old granny back to the comfort of my bed.

I set the glass of water down on the bedside table before I snuck into the covers once more. It wasn't long before I was enveloped in warmth and drifted off to sleep.

•••

I woke up in a startle when I heard loud banging coming from downstairs. I held my breath and tried not to make a noise while I listened.

"Katherie." I heard a voice sob. It was my father. I tried to get myself up so I could go check up on him. He was probably intoxicated to the point where he was a few more drinks to death. Sure I hated him but I didn't want his death on my hands.

I spluttered out a cough as I managed to get to my door. Just as I opened it, I was faced with my father standing right there. I let out a scream.

"Oh Summer." He sobbed as he pulled me into a drunken embrace. "I miss her. I miss your mother so much."

I couldn't believe it but a part of me broke at the sound of his voice. He sounded so lost, so alone, so empty. I never realised that my dad felt this way about my mum because he was always fucking around with other women and seeming to not give a care in the world. I guess I should know more than anyone else that things aren't always how they seem. People can be really good at hiding their true emotions, like me. And now my dad.

"I miss her too." I whispered so quietly that I thought my dad wouldn't hear it.

"Summer?" He asked.

"Yes?"

He pulled himself away from me and held me at arm's length, "Is it alright for me to finally move on?"

That wasn't what I expecting and I stood there stunned. The fact that he respected my opinion so much was another shocking factor. Here he was asking for my permission like he hadn't been fucking whores in our kitchen right in front of me.

"Of course, dad." I said quietly. "I hope you find a better love than what you had with mum."

And I meant it.

•••

Because of my sickness, I had to take an entire week off school. The first few days were spent with me enjoying the time off but after Wednesday, I was bored putt of my mind. I constantly texted Angie asking if anything interesting was happening at school. She kept telling me that everything was the same as usual, much to my disappointment. I had also texted Finn a couple of times asking him to entertain me but since his school is better than ours, his replied took a while since he was pretty busy during classes.

Friday afternoon, I was starting to feel a little better as I sat in the lounge room watching a movie. Halfway through it, I heard the doorbell ring. My face lit up as I thought it was Finn. I went to open it as fast as an ill person could but when I opened it, I was surprised to see Kellin standing there with a huge smile.

"Summer!" He exclaimed as he picked me up bridal style. "Hey there you sick little child."

"You shouldn't be this close to me, Kellin! You'll get my sick." I said worriedly as I wriggled out of his grasp. He let me down gently chuckling.

"I don't really mind and plus my immune system is pretty good. Don't worry." He said. "Now, I came here to check up on you but also because...." He took off his backpack and took out a mango, a tub of ice cream and strawberries.

"What's that for?" I asked curiously.

He shot me a grin, "I'm gonna make you my special smoothie. It helps re-energise you after you recover from a cold." He explained. He then eyed me. "I also know you've been getting back into old habits. I'm not going to force you to eat huge amounts but you gotta eat something. Fruit is alright, yeah?"

Warmth spread across my chest and tears stung my eyes as my love for the boy that I proudly called my best friend that stood in front of me overwhelmed me. No one else had noticed that I was struggling with my eating disorder again but here he was determined to help me again.

I nodded my head as a few start tears rolled down my face. Kellin looked startled at the sight and looked unsure of what to do.

"Was it too much? Look, I'm sorry if you feel like I'm pushing you it's just that i really care about you Summer and I'm worrie-"

"No, this is perfect. You're perfect. Thank you so much for caring about me, Kellin." I told him and wrapped my arms around him tightly. He did the same and held me close.

"I'll always care for you, Summer." He whispered as we stayed that way for a while longer before Kellin pulled away and started making me his special smoothie. I ended up drinking two massive glasses and I felt so much better after.

Kellin left after a few hours because he had to be back by dinner and I was left by myself lying in bed again. I opened my phone to see no new messages. Nothing from Finn. The last time I had texted him was around lunchtime today and he hadnt answered. I only asked him what he was up to but still. It would've been nice for him to text back.

I pushed the sadness and disappointment away telling myself that he was busy with homework and soccer practice as I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.