Coffee// A.I.

Chapter nine: Renturn of Vanessa

Vanessa's POV:

-

Night was my favorite time in Berkley. Night was the best time in Berkley. I couldn't ever get much sleep. So I thought. My mind exploded with thoughts. Jessie's secret was still burning through my skull, along with missing Ashton and the sweet taste of coffee. I wished he would bring me some, but it wasn't allowed. Most of all, I imagined Spencer. I wanted to watch him suffer. I hated him. I wanted him dead. But if I continued to think like that, I might actually end up killing him.

I came up with several ways I could escape, and how much better everything would be if they worked. Every one of my plans seemed to have a flaw. I just had to wait one more day until I was allowed to have visitors, and I was looking forward to seeing my friends, especially Ashton.

That morning, I followed my routine as usual. Got dressed, went to breakfast, then met with Doctor Kallen. After that, was my least favorite part of the day, group therapy. We sat in a small room with plain white walls. Most of the people in the room were either mentally disabled or adults who were scared of the dark. My problem seemed so different than theirs. We all introduced ourselves, even though we have every day before, and we told the group about ourselves. When it was my turn, I didn't hesitate.

"I'm Vanessa. I love Coffee. I have a crush on a cute guy. But I'm also insanely crazy. I killed someone. Im a murderer. So watch out while your sleeping, because you could be next."

The doctor in he room looked at me fiercely, as the other patients looked in fear.

"Vanessa, that wasn't nice of you to say, please tell them the truth."

"I am. I'm probably going to kill one of them while they're sleeping."

Some of the patients screamed and the doctor approached me.

"Why would you say that?" He asked silently. "You're scaring them", he whispered.

"Sorry, you wanted the truth. "

I was sent to my room for the rest of the day, except to eat dinner. I was happy for the most part, because tomorrow I hoped Ashton would be at my door.

-

When morning arrived, I craved the sweet taste of coffee made by Ashton Irwin even more. I asked when visitors could see me. I haven't seen anyone I knew other than my parents in weeks. I wondered what was happening at school, and with my friends. I've probably missed so much. It was no surprise that no one answered my questions. So I waited patiently for somebody to come for me.

During group therapy, a nurse opened the door and called my name. I came out the door anxiously.

"Is someone here for me?" I asked.

"Yes. I know you'll be able to behave, right?"

"Yes, I swear."

"Okay. I'll let you have privacy then."

She walked me into a room, and then left.

My face lit up as I saw Jessie, sitting in a chair waiting for me. She stood up and ran toward me once she saw me. She hugged me, and I hugged back.

"Oh my god", I said into her shoulder.

"Vanessa!" She said pulling away from the hug. "You don't look too well."

"Yeah, I know. No makeup allowed."

"I haven't seen you in forever, I'm just-"

"Yeah, I know" I said as we hugged again.

-

She began filling me in on everything that was happening. In school, our history teacher got fired for giving a student caffeine pills. Matt moved into Luke's house, which I was surprised about because I wasn't aware they were even friends. Everything seemed average for the most part. It was then that I asked about Ashton.

"So.. How's Ashton?"

Her face dropped slightly. "Oh.. Not too well without you. But he's okay. He has us."

"Is he coming today?"

"I think so. He really misses you."

-

Jess and I talked for a long time, until our twenty minutes were up. Then, my next visitor came in. It was Matt.

We talked about Spencer, and about school. We asked each other if we were okay.

We both lied.

For the rest of the day, I had no visitors until after lunch. I rushed through the hallways to see who it was, and I immediately recognized his soft curly brown hair.

"Ashton?"

He turned around quickly, and a smile lit up his face.

"Vanessa.."

He walked toward me and wrapped his arms around me, embracing me in a warm hug. I missed his hugs, and his shirts that smelled like coffee, and everything about him.

He pulled away. "How've you been?"

"Awful", I said. "Everything here sucks. No coffee, no freedom, no you."

He gazed into my eyes. "Yeah", he said nervously as he reached down and grabbed my hand.

We enjoyed each other's company while we could. We planned about the fun we would have when I got out, and we even planned an escape for me. It would never work, but it was really nice to think about.

He told me I wasn't crazy,
and I said "I know".

But I was a psychopath. I could feel it. And the feeling wouldn't go away. I didn't want to hurt him. He had a good life. His band, his friends, his future. I didn't want to come into his beautiful life and ruin it by having a mental breakdown.

"You should go", I finally said.

"What, why?" He looked confused.

"Well I mean, you're not a prisoner here. You can go wherever you want, I don't wanna keep you waiting."

"Vanessa, don't be silly. If I could choose anywhere in the world to be, I would be with you."