My Witch of an Aunt (Emily's Original)

Chapter 18

After what seems like years Max walks back in. His mom calls him and he turns. I just sit there staring at him. He's wearing a wrinkly blue t-shirt and ripped jeans. He shifts his weight and runs his hand through his short brown hair. I hear his black converse connect with the floor as he turns around and walks back to me. He sits down next to me and places a hand on my leg. He takes a deep breath, "I just talked to my parents and a few police officers that were outside. They said that you could stay with us. Only if you want to of course. I want you to have options. Just choose whatever you're most comfortable with." I sit and think for a second. If I move in with Max I'll be with everyone. We won't be separated. Honestly, it'll probably be better for me. "Are you sure I won't be a bother?" "You would never be a bother." I sit for another second, "Ok. Then. I'll move in with you."

After thanking his parents a million times, I walk upstairs and collapse on the air mattress. I'm so physically and mentally exhausted. Good thing Max's parents are letting us stay home from school. I wouldn't be able to function. Max enters the room, "Hey, we're ordering pizza. What do you want?" "Extra pepperoni." He nods. I hear him yell down at his mom then he closes the door behind him, "Do you want to watch a movie or something?" "I don't know." I don't know what to do anymore. I feel dead inside, if only I was dead on the outside. He sits down next to me. I wrap myself in blankets and sit up. He lifts his arm and I cuddle into his side. "I just thought we could do something to get your mind off it." Max says as he rests his head on mine. "Yeah cause it's really easy to forget that my mom died." "You know what I mean, if you just sit here and do nothing it'll just make the pain worse." I just sit there. I don't know what to do with my life. My family is dead. Ok yeah he's right, I need to get my mind off it.

After a day of video games and pizza my evening was interrupted by a text from an unknown number:

L: Hey, It's Lexi.

Bre gave me her old phone.

Will you add me to the group chat?

S: Yeah sure!

I add Lexi to the group chat. "Wait Lexi has a phone now?" Max asks looking over my shoulder. "Guess so." I sigh. I turn back to my text with Lexi.

L: Sally, I know this might be too soon

But can I tell bre what happened?

S: She's still in the dark about it and

I feel like she should know.

You can also tell her if you want.

It's all up to you.

I sigh. "What the hell?" I hear Max nearly yell, making me jump, "It's way too soon! What the fuck is wrong with her?!" "Max it's fine! She's right, Bre needs to know."

S: Yeah, you can tell her. I don't mind.

I move over to the group chat:

L: Hey guys, It's Lexi.

B: Oh Hey Lexi.

S: What's up?

L: Ok so... something happened with

Sally.

B: Wait WHAT?! What happened?!

M: Sit down Breanna.

I look up and see Max is using his other hand to use his phone. I rest my head on his shoulder.

L: Sally came home from Max's house.

She entered her mom's room and found her dead.

Suicide.

The chat goes silent for a few minutes.

B: Oh my god.

Is Sally ok?

S: I'm fine.

B: Sally, I'm so sorry.

S: It's ok. I'll make it.

L: Sally, you're staying with Max right?

S: Yeah

L: Ok. Do you want to stay with me Bre?

S: Wait you have your own place?

L: It's my mom's. I bet she won't mind.

My mom is always away on business.

We video chat often

And she sends me money for rent, food etc.

B: Yeah sure.

I have nowhere else to go.

We talk for a few more hours on the group chat. By the time the conversation ends, it's 8 pm. I sigh, "We should probably go to bed." I lay back on Max's bed, where we had been playing video games. "Oh really?" Max asks shocked, he looks at his phone again, "It's only 8 pm. Are you tired?" "Yeah, we also have school tomorrow so we should probably get some sleep." Max hesitates, "Are you sure? You don't have to go back to school. We can skip tomorrow." "No. We've missed enough school already. I do wish we shared the same schedule though. It would make me feel so much better." Max sits there for a second, he looks away almost like he's deep in thought. I sigh, I'm so mentally exhausted I don't want to even move. I'm glad I decided to have a lazy day, I'm just in black leggings and a sweatshirt. Now I can just sleep in my clothes. Max looks back at me almost like he read my thoughts, "You can stay here, I can sleep on the air mattress." I shake my head, "It's your bed. I'm just being lazy. I'll get up just give me a second." He smirks, "Or..." He crawls over to where I'm laying and lays down on his side facing me. He grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him, "We can just sleep together." My face turns beet red and he laughs. I gently push him away and turn the other direction. Max is still laughing. He rests his head on my shoulder like a dog begging for food, "Yes? No?" I sigh, "I swear you do one thing..." He wraps his arm around me, "I promise. And if I ever do anything you don't like, tell me to stop. I will without hesitation." I smile as he kisses my cheek.

What in the world did I do to deserve you?

I'm standing in front of Skylee at recess. She smiles, "Why do you always fight death?" I glare at her before puking what seems like an ocean of blue blood. I look up to see my mom walking to Skylee. She is covered in blood, still wearing the blue dress I found her in. Her tear streaks are still clearly visible on her face. Her eyes are bloodshot and she looks like she hasn't slept in days, however, she's wearing the brightest smile I've ever seen anyone wear. She gives Skylee a hug and she glares at me. "Kill her," she says as she looks away from me. "SALLY!!!!" I hear Max screams behind me. Black.

"Sally!" I jolt awake and sit up too fast. I wince as a searing pain enters my head. Max puts a hand on my back and grabs my hand, "Sally! Are you ok?" Clutching my head I sit there for a second. "Sally? Did you have a nightmare?" I hesitate, I don't want him to worry about me. Max runs his fingers through my hair, "Sally..." I sigh and nod. "I thought so," Max sighs, "You were twitching and whispering for your mom." I slowly drop my hand, "I was?" Max nods. I sigh, "I'm sorry." "Hey," Max brushes my hair behind my ear and turns my head towards him, "Why the fuck do you think you need to apologize? You just found your mom's corpse, your aunt is trying to kill you, and you're struggling with your inner demons. Nightmares are guaranteed." I struggle to hold back tears. Max pulls me in closer and kisses me. Softly. We pull apart and he rests his hand on my cheek, "It's ok to cry," he whispers. I break down and start crying. Max pulls me in and I rest my head on his chest. He continues to comb his hand through my hair.