Drowning

VII. Fighting The Currents

I'm scared. I'm seriously scared. The last time I had a family gathered before me was when I was sent away, back to that lousy orphanage.

"Sit down, Sweethart," Karen points to an empty chair next to her.

"You aren't giving me away are you?" My face is filled with panic.

Her face is deadpan. "No. I told you the day all that paperwork was done that I would never get rid of you,"

Relief fills my veins. Thank god.

"So what it all this about?"

"We're worried about you. I signed you up for the Depression Session to help you. Then that boy came along and changed everything. Now you're hurting, and I know you haven't been attending the group meetings lately. They say you haven't shown in a few days. And now I know what you're up to,"

Where is she going with this?

"I trusted you. I still do, just not so much anymore. So I'm sorry to say this but I'm gonna have to restrict you. I'm taking away your car-keys. You can keep your phone. But I'm gonna try my best to make sure you don't talk to that boy. You're doing so well. You're getting so much better. And that boy is gonna make everything go backwards," she takes my hand in hers.

"Are you okay with this?"

As far as my car goes, I'm not going anywhere. But I don't want them to know that I'm actually okay with this so I frown, hoping they don't see I'm faking it.

"I guess, if I don't have a choice," I try to sound as mopey as possible.

Not only is this punishment okay, but it gives me a good excuse to not see Ryder. Now that I'm not under his influence, I can honestly say: I hate lying to people. Even scum like him.

I head back upstairs. I start to question why David and Tyson were downstairs when they didn't even say a word. Nonetheless, acknowledge my existence. While I still have phone privileges, I don't want to use them. I do however, check my phone for missed calls and text. I have some–from Ryder.

*Hey.

*Are you okay?

*I honestly am so sorry and you have every right to hate me.

*Did I lose you forever?

*I hope not because I need you.

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FREAKIN FIRE!

I text him back.

*Are you trying to guilt me into forgiving you?

In a matter of minutes, he replies.

*No, I want you to forgive me on your own terms.

I don't text back.

I throw my phone to the side. If I can only have a limited amount of time on my phone, I certainly don't wanna waste it on him. I decide to take a nap. I feel restless.

When I awake, I have a huge headache. I feel like there is something pounding my skull and the feeling is unbearable. On my way to the stairs, my socks give in to the slippery wood floor and I stumble down them. I hold out my hands to help stop my fall but my attempt fails and I land at the bottom of the staircase with a thud.

"Emma, are you okay?" Karen peeks her head from the kitchen.

"Yeah I guess, but my head hurts,"

"Like someone hit you with a baseball bat or like you slammed it against a car door?"

What does that have to do with anything?