Survive

Chapter Twenty Six

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

October 19, 2022.

Madison Stone's Point Of View.

I apply a little concealer under my eyes with the intention of hiding the enormous dark circles under my eyes, since I haven't slept properly since Monday.

I don't mind looking like this, since I have bigger problems to deal with, but I still think that nobody deserves to be scared by my eyes that look like they have been punched.

I grab my backpack and leave the room, heading downstairs to the dining room, where breakfast is on.

I have never hated staying at home as much as I have these past few days. The house is so empty.

I even got used to not seeing my father anymore, since I hardly saw him at all, but I can't accept that Anthony is still in the hospital and with no sign of improvement.

"Good morning dear," my mother says sitting in the chair my father used to sit in.

"Good morning mom," I politely reply, as it probably won't be a good day, sitting down and placing my backpack on the chair next to me.

"The police called," she speaks as she puts some pineapple juice into my glass.

"Why?"

"When I spoke to the police officer at the scene of the accident, I asked the police to let me know the updates on the case."

"And what did they tell you?" I take some of my juice.

"A breathalyzer test was taken and it was proven that the driver of the other car was drunk."

"He was arrested right?"

"No, he was taken to the hospital."

"Is he in the same situation as Anthony?"

"He suffered some injuries, but they were nothing serious and so he will be discharged today," and I am indignantly saddened when I hear that.

"That's not fair. He made the mistake and the one lying in a coma in a hospital bed is Anthony?" I say and my eyes already start to water, which is something that has been happened several times in my day since Monday.

I am not wishing in any way that this man will be in the same situation as Anthony, but I think it is unfair that Anthony who was driving in a correct manner and respecting the traffic laws should pay for his mistake.

"I know honey, but it's not something that's under our control," and I deny it.

"I just want him to be okay," I say and get up as I remember that I have to do something before I go to school.

"Where are you going?"

"To his house," and she denies it.

"You didn't even eat anything, Madison."

"I'm not hungry. I'll be right back," I say and leave the room, heading toward the door that leads to the outside area.

I go to his house and knock on the door as usual, but I remember that he won't come to open it for me, so I open it myself and go in.

I go to the laundry room of the house and get the watering can, then go to the kitchen, put some water in it and water the plants in the house.

Anthony loves plants and I can't wait to see him watering them again.

"Your little plants are missing you, Anthony... and so am I."

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

October 19, 2022.

Andrey Butler's Point Of View.

I pull into the driveway of Mad's house and park the car in front of her house seconds later. I have arranged with her to take her to school and drop her off at home every day until Anthony gets better.

She didn't go to school yesterday and didn't want to go today, but her mother, staff and I convinced her to go, as it might be good for her to forget her troubles for a while.

I ring the bell and a short while later Mrs. Stone opens the door.

"Hi Andrey. Good morning."

"Good morning Mrs. Stone," I reply as I enter the house. "Where's Mad?"

"Oh, she is in Anthony's house. She is going there every day to do something that I don't know about," I agree as I walk in.

"And you Mrs. Stone? How are you?" She seems pretty down.

"I'm going to work when you guys go to school. I can't sit here mulling things over," and I agree. I wish Mad, as hard as it is, would think that way too.

"You're right. Just don't fill yourself up with work, otherwise you can end up being exhausted in every way."

"Thank you for the advice, Andrey," she smiles.

Madison enters the house again, gives me a small smile and goes into the dining room, returning to the living room a few seconds later with her backpack on her back.

"Shall we?" And I agree, already starting to walk toward the door.

We say goodbye to her mother and I open the door for Mad to get in the car, closing it after she gets in and then I get in the vehicle as well, starting to drive soon after.

"I'm so ugly," she looks at herself through the rear-view mirror of the car.

"You're never ugly."

"You're only saying that because you're my boyfriend."

"I wouldn't date you if I didn't think you were the most beautiful girl I've ever met," I speak trying to cheer her up, but she just gives a quick corner smile.

She rests one side of her head against the car seat and closes her eyes, making me worried because I know she is thinking about life.

I have the idea of putting the playlist we made the day of the dance at Amour on to play, so I pick a song that I know is one of her favorites, because it was one of the first she talked about that day, and I put it on.

She lifts her head and opens her eyes as soon as the melody of the music starts, and a small smile breaks out on her lips as soon as the music actually begins.

"Not tryna be indie. Not tryna be cool. Just tryna be in this.." she starts humming and that already makes me happy.

Tell me, are you too?
Can you feel where the wind is?
Can you feel it through
All of the windows
Inside this room?

'Cause I wanna touch you baby
And I wanna feel you too
I wanna see the sunrise
On your sins just me and you

Light it up, on the run
Let's make love tonight..

"I'm glad you liked the music," I say as I see her stretching out her arm and increasing the volume.

"I love this song," she says slurring the word "song" as she stretches her head back and prepares to sing the coming chorus with everything.

I stop the car at the red light and look at her, who looks at me back.

But you'll never be alone
I'll be with you from dusk till dawn
I'll be with you from dusk till dawn
Baby, I am right here

And she doesn't sing the chorus, she shouts it and so do I, looking into her eyes with the intention of telling her the same thing that Zayn and Sia are singing.

She stops singing and just looks at me, as if seeing me sing comforts her, then I continue as I see that what I wanted to do worked.

I'll hold you when things go wrong
I'll be with you from dusk till dawn
I'll be with you from dusk till dawn
Baby, I am right here