Falling Together

I kept Running

MAISIE

Noah came home in an off mood. I could tell something was bothering him and I really wanted to fix it. I went to the kitchen and made us some sandwiches, then went to his room with them and a pair of Coke's.  I forced a small smile as I walked into the room. Noah was sitting at the desk in his room writing things down.

"Hey. I brought you a snack..." I say trying to make him excited. He gives me a weak smile and takes the plate only to sit it down and turn away from me again. "What's wrong?" I ask sitting on his bed.

For a few moments he just stares at the ground. Then he looks up and stares me right in the eye. He's hurting. I can see him fighting with weather or not he should tell me, and that's really not like Noah. Noah always tells me everything. Hell even if I don't want to know what it is! I can't tell you how many text messages I got back in New York from Noah telling me he had to go to the bathroom. Seeing him unsure of whether or not he can talk to me hurts.

I reach out to take his hand but I'm shocked when he scoots back in his chair.

"You've been weird lately too. You wanna tell me why?" He asks. He raises his eyebrows and I feel my voice get caught in my throat. This can't be what I think it is...

"Does it have anything to do with why Dax is also acting weird?" He persists with a snide attitude.

"I..I.. I'm not.." I try to get out but can't seem to find the words. How do you tell your brother you fell in love with his best friend?

"I can't believe you..." He says turning back to his desk.

"Noah.." I start. My mind is reeling. How did he find out? I gave up Dax so I wouldn't lose Noah, and now I felt like I was losing them both. I reached out to him again but he pulls away and refuses to look at me even a little. "Noah please..." I say again.

"You know.. I thought I knew you Maisie. I thought I knew Dax too. Hell, I thought you knew you could tell me anything! But you know what.. right now I don't know what to think." He says, still not looking at me.

"Noah ..."

"Maisie!" My dad calls from the kitchen.

I look at the door and then back to my brother but don't move.

"Noah tell me how to fix this.." I whisper, trying to hold back the tears because I know I don't have the right to cry right now. I betrayed Noah. I hurt him.

"Maisie?!" My Dad calls again.

"You should go see what he wants. Close the door on your way out." He says completely turning away from me. He reaches down and grabs his big headphones to show me he is done with me and our conversation.

It takes my dad yelling for me for a third time before I finally gave in and got up. The heartbreak and mistrust I left behind me chipped away another piece of my soul. What have I done?

"What's up dad?" I ask as I try to hide the emotion in my face. I didn't want to involve my dad just yet.

I look up to him and realize something is wrong. He has a worry etched on his face that I haven't seen in months... not since he flew down to New York when I was in the hospital.

"Dad..." I say slowly. A million things rush through my mind. " is someone hurt?" I ask starting to hyperventilate and stand.

My dad shakes his head and reaches for me "No, no Maisie it's nothing like that everyone is fine." He says coming around the island to sit next to me and rub my shoulders till I calmed down.

"Then what is it dad?" I ask. He waits until he's sure I'm calm, or thinks I'm calm because he has no idea the storm that's already bursting inside me, and then slowly reaches over and pulls an envelope closer to us. He unfolds it and tilts it so I could read.

Dear Mr. Collins,

You and your daughter have been summoned at the request of the court and the defense to testify in the trial of Danny Villiano, who is currently facing charges of breaking and entering, assault, and attempted rape of a minor.

Ms. Masina Angela Collins previous statement is being challenged by the defendant. If you would like everything in her statement noted, then the proceeding judge requests her presence and testimony on the next court date appearance of November 15th, 2019.

If Ms. Masina Collins is not in court to present her statement in person, we will have no choice but to proceed without it. This will drop the charges to only breaking and entering.

Please call if you have any questions.

Your lawyer,

Alex Tillman.

As I read my mind spins and I feel faint.

"Don't worry honey. I will take care of this. You won't have to do it." My dad says again rubbing my back..

"I thought they said I wouldn't have to testify..." I say barely a whisper.

"You shouldn't. The statement you gave should be enough. I'll call our lawyer on Monday and get it straightened out." My dad says firmly.

"I don't understand... I thought this was done?" I say leaning my head on my hand trying to find the balance.

My dad's silence lingers. And I know there's more. It should be over. "They said it was over.. there's no denying what happened! What could be the reason for trying to make me go back and relive it!" I cry. My dad's face is worried. He's not sure what to say and I look back down at the paper and put the prices together. Then my dad says the words that confirm it.

"He's changing his plea Maisie, he's saying he thought you were the intruder and that his friend owned the apartment.. He's pleading not guilty.

My mind started to flicker in and out.

Here...

not here...

Here...

Not here...

I don't even remember getting up from the kitchen and walking out the door, I just remember telling myself I need to move... I felt my mind slipping away and I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to get trapped in the nightmare that I couldn't escape. I didn't want to be trapped inside my mind.

So I ran.

And I kept running.