Somewhere, Australia //A.I

Chapter 26: Time Flies

There's a slight chance I'll be putting up a preview of a new story soon (probably a Michael fic). So be looking for that (if I decide to put it up) but back to THIS fanfic. ENJOY LOVELIES
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**WARNING: this chapter may include some suicidal thoughts or actions.

Sydney's POV

Eventually I left to go deliver my gift of food to August's office. I'm kind of glad that I had an excuse to leave because for the first time I was uncomfortable with Ashton.

Everything was perfect until he came back with the cart and I was texting my brother, Alex. Then he was stiff and disconnected, which in turn caused me to be the same. I kept wondering if I had done something wrong, if everything we'd had was one sided on my part. We weren't dating, but there was something there, at least for me.

That kiss in the parking lot, and in the video shop were really something special for me. I haven't been kissed many times in my life, but I've never been kissed the way Ashton kissed me. With passion and dare I use the word, love.

Or so I thought.

Turning my key in the ignition, I sit there leaning my elbows on the edge of the steering wheel as I hear the motor sputter out. Glancing at the dash, the green electronic numbers of the clock read 3:00 even. People say that time flies when your having fun, but in my case time flies when your driving around to clear your head over a guy you just met.

Ending my pity party of one, I exit the car and slowly walk back to my building. The sounds of me dragging my feet echo off the concrete walls of the parking garage. While I wait in the elevator I lean my body against the elevator wall and tip my head back. I'm so exhausted, yet all of my nerves are standing on end.

After undoing my hair and taking off what little makeup I had on, I walk around my apartment in a fuzzy robe and basketball shorts. Perching myself on the edge of the couch, I stare at the wall momentarily and an unhappy thought clicks into my brain because I can't control my thoughts. It's a problem really, the downward spiral of my subconscious when I'm even the slightest bit upset.

The incident pops into my mind once again and I shake my head to try and clear it. It doesn't budge, but parks itself in my subconscious

As most of my horrid days from school, this incident was because of the bullying I faced and my extremely low self confidence. But unlike most of the name calling that seemed like hell until I later realized that it wasn't difficult to tune out, this was serious.

Although my life certainly wasn't the worst, my early adolescent years had me in a dark place, especially after my parents death. People gave me sympathy to my face, but behind my back continued to bully me for my appearance.

**Flashback**

It was six months since my paretns death. Well, almost six months. Five months, thirty days, and twenty one hours, to be exact. I'm so twisted I count the hours.
I lick my lips to alleviate the dryness, finding them salty to the taste because of the cold sweats that always break out on my skin now, and the tears that ran down my face before. Sitting with my knees curled up to the my chest I stare at the wall, not blinking until spots appear before my vision. Finally allowing my eyes to momentarily close , a small knock sounds at my door.

"Sydney...." A voice softly calls, and opens the door after I make a small grunt to signify I was awake. "Hey, Emma wants to know if you've taken your medication." My brother tentatively says, not looking directly at my face.

"No I haven't, screw her. What the hell has she ever done for us?" I wince at my use of language in front of a then nine year old Alex.

He just shakes his head and shuts the door softly with him inside, coming over to my bed. He places his head in my lap, and I stretch out my legs.