Studio 22 | Mary-Kate Olsen

Chapter Forty

February 23rd 2023 - New York City - Safe Haven Community Centre

I walked out of the community centre and caught sight of MK standing in our spot smoking just like nothing has changed. I was still mad at her, I was still ignoring her but I have decided I can no longer be a child about this. I work with her and she was once my close friend. I can't just completely jump ship without hearing her out. Though no amount of justification would ever be enough for me. She threw my brother under the bus like it was nothing. Just because it didn't affect her. She didn't care about Sage, she didn't particularly like Sage. But that's only because she didn't know Sage, not the real Sage. My Sage. She had never met him.

"Hey," I say standing in front of her. She looked surprised that I was even looking in her direction. I mean I have only been talking to her in a professional capacity for the past week or so. "Hi," She said, her smile coming and disappearing until she decided it was okay to greet me with a smile. "Do you have time to talk?" "Yeah." She immediately put her cigarette out that was only half finished before walking away from me. I was confused because the coffee shop was the other way and kept my feet firmly planted on the ground. She turned back to look at me. "I think we should talk in a more private setting." I agreed and followed her.

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February 23rd 2023 - New York City - Mary-Kate's Apartment

I walked in her footsteps the whole way to her apartment, we rode the elevator in silence and I took my coat and boots off without uttering a word. I don't know if I was entirely ready for this conversation but it was about to happen.

I went to the lounge whilst she pottered around the kitchen getting us a coffee. I feel like it's the only thing I ingest anymore. I drink gallons a day which can't be healthy. She brought them over and I thanked her before taking it and sipping the scorching liquid that slithered down my throat. I tried not to flinch at the burning sensation, I could feel her pretty blue orbs stuck on me. I turned to look at her and she didn't even try and hide the fact she was observing me. I wouldn't call it staring, MK doesn't stare often unless it's at Eric she stares at him, when he's talking bullshit to Ashley, watches him from across the room burning holes into his skull, in hopes he'd spontaneously combust. She observed me, has done since she first met me. At first it was a cautious observation, taking me in sussing me out making sure I wasn't going to spill her secret or judge and attack her for it. Then when she was getting to know me she'd observe my mannerisms and behaviours... she'd tease me over them. Like the way I always sip my coffee knowing it's too hot. Or the way I widen my eyes when I hear something that's outrageous to me. She told me I hummed and tapped my pencil to songs when I was thinking.

The observations intensified when she noticed marks. She scans me over each time she sees me. I knew she was doing it but could say nothing about it. I had to be as casual as possible about the bruises. I didn't want any questions fired my way. When she found out the truth she'd continue this type of observing me, along with any changes in my behaviours. Like the make-up thing. She knew when I took my make-up off in my routine and she knew when I didn't something was wrong. Her silent observations was how she pieced things together so quickly.

She was scanning me over for any new marks, I had hidden them all of course. I wasn't stupid enough for her to see any of them again. She'd run and tell my parents and I didn't want that. My parents had agreed to let me stay at the apartment but if Sage or anyone did anything I wouldn't have a choice. I agreed to these terms feeling confident that Sage had a blip. Days progressed and anger grew and I wasn't so sure I should be as confident in those terms. I didn't regret going home, Sage almost choked three nights ago, if I wasn't there he'd have probably died. I didn't tell my parents that either. "How have you been?" She asked me. "Fine," I say, keeping my voice neutral. "Good." I nodded.