Lost in July

XVIII

Collin
~
Instead of being woken up peacefully today, Penny handed me my meds and told me my parents would be visiting shortly.

I could've thrown up at the thought, but I didn't.

I have less than an hour before I have to deal with my legal guardians, so I'm currently walking to Margo's room.

Why? I need a distraction, and maybe a pep talk.

I knock softly, hoping she's awake. Only a few seconds later and the door swings open.

"213, it's awfully early," she frowns, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. I smile at her disheveled appearance. She always looks perfect.

"217, I need rescuing," I say honestly, throwing myself face down on her unmade bed.

Margo laughs, closing the door and sitting next to my lifeless body on her bed. "What is wrong with you?"

I lift my head, looking at her, resting my head in my hands as my elbows sink into the mattress.

"My parents are visiting," I mumble unhappily.

Margo's eyes widen and she bites her lip to hide her amusement. "Sorry. That sucks," is what her mouth says but her face shows her clear lack of pity.

I scowl. "You suck." I throw my head back down, hiding in the mattress.

Margo chuckles, ruffling her hands through my hair, which feels way better than it should. "You'll be fine,"

"Fine is relative," I say, but I doubt she could understand as my words were muffled.

Margo just shoves me with another unsympathetic laugh. I flip around, staring up at the ceiling. She lays down next to me as we look up, a position we often find ourselves in lately. I guess we think the sky holds all the answers.

"I don't understand why they're here," I say, breaking our comfortable silence.

"To see you?" Margo answers sarcastically.

I look at her, rolling my eyes. "No shit,"

She shrugs with a grin. "You asked,"

"Usually I don't have to deal with them until they pick me up after my two weeks are up,"

"Maybe they're realizing the error of their ways," Margo says optimistically.

I look at her with a look that says 'are you fucking crazy.' That only makes her laugh more.

"You know, I was expecting more support," I mock offense.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Collin. What do you want me to do? Tell the guards not to let them in? Hold your hand while you talk to them? Speak into your ear piece and tell you what to say?"

My eyes widen. "All of those sound great, honestly."

"You're gonna have to see them in two days anyway. Might as well get it over with,"

I groan, shoving my head into her pillow. "Don't remind me,"

"Ew, asshole," she pulls her pillow from me aggressively. "don't get your slobber all over my pillow."