Survive

Chapter Thirty Three

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

October 31, 2022.

Madison Stone's Point Of View.

"If you don't feel well and want to leave, you can call me. Okay?" My mother says as she stops the car and I agree.

"Okay. Bye mom."

"Bye my love. I love you."

"I love you too," I say and leave the car.

I had been missing school since last Monday, because I was not in the mood to come here. The only thing I have done during these last days is to grieve for Anthony's death, because I can't accept the fact that I won't see him anymore, that I won't hug him anymore, that I won't talk to him anymore.

I stop in front of the school entrance and remember what happened to me that Friday.

During the last week, as hard as it seems, I forgot that I had been harassed, because my head was full of other worries and I was taking medicine to calm myself down, which did not allow me to think straight.

I only remembered this sad fact today when I woke up with my alarm clock going off. And to be honest, I only decided to come today to denounce this idiot, because he has to pay for what he did.

I may, unfortunately, not have done anything at that moment, but I will now, because he committed a crime and has to take the consequences for his act.

I also know that I probably wasn't his only victim and that maybe, with me denouncing him, other students will also have the courage to do the same.

I enter the school and head towards the classrooms because I am late, but when I look over, I see David sitting alone at one of the tables in the outdoor area, so I head over there.

"You should be in class right now, shouldn't you?" I stop next to my friend who seems to be thinking about something.

"Mad? I should ask you that.. what are you doing here?" He asks surprised.

"I still need to study," I say humorously and he gives a little laugh.

"You are right. But if you wanted the subjects, you could have asked me and I would have come to your house to give them to you."

David, Ryan, Bryan and Ashley have been visiting me almost every day since that Friday and I really appreciated their attitude because it showed me that they really are my friends.

"I appreciate it, but I have a few things to take care of personally here."

"Oh.. okay then."

"But so what? Tell your friend here why you look sad," I sit down beside him.

"I broke up with Emily," and I get surprised.

"Why? You love her."

"I don't think love is enough when the loved one is not what you thought they were."

"What did she do to you?"

"She didn't do anything to me, at least not directly, but she wavered with my friends and the main one of them was you," and I don't understand.

"What do you mean? What has she done to me that I'm not aware of?"

"It was she, along with her friends, who spread your personal problems around the school," he speaks and I can feel the feeling of anger rising in me.

If there's one thing I don't like, it's when someone tells other people things that are none of their business.

"Why did she do that?!"

"I don't know either.. but she isn't the same person when she's around those girls."

"So she's pretty manipulable, huh?"

"Unfortunately yes.."

"Look, I will be honest.. for a moment I felt sorry that you broke up with her, because it's clear that you really like her, but now knowing that, I tell you that you did the right thing."

"I also think I did the right thing, but I'm not going to say it's not hurting."

"I understand.. but you can be sure that you deserve someone better," I give him a reassuring smile and he smiles back.

"Thank you," he speaks and turns his body toward me. "But changing the subject.. how are things going with Andrey?" And now I take a deep breath.

"It has been a few days since I have seen him."

I haven't seen Andrey since that Friday. Since then, he has not visited me, text me or call me. He disappeared and when people went to my house, no one talked about him and I, out of pride, didn't ask either.

That day he told me that he didn't want me to be angry with him for something he didn't do, and as much as I wasn't in the mood for it at the time, I believed him. But I can't understand why he didn't try to talk to me afterwards or come see me, since I needed him.

"He told me what happened."

"I don't know what happened right yet.. but what's your opinion on that?"

"I believe him. I know you must have a lot to deal with right now, but I think you should listen to him," and I nod.

I feel like asking him why Andrey didn't come to see me or try to contact me, but I decide that this question I have to ask Andrey himself.

"I will try to talk to him today.. did he come?"

"Yes, he did."

"Oh, so I'm going to go and sort out what I have to sort out and then go after him," I get up and he agrees.

"Okay."

"Are you going to stay here?"

"Yes.. I'm not in the mood for class right now," he speaks and I give him a small smile.

"Me too, but I have to go there now." He gets up too and we hug each other. "Get well."

"Thanks Mad. Get well too."

I turn away from David and start walking toward where I was going before I saw him, but he calls out to me, so I stop walking and turn to see what he wants.

"You're awesome. Don't let life's problems take away your light," and for the first time in a few days I truly smile.

"And you don't let a girl who doesn't deserve you make you suffer," I say and turn again, really going my way this time.

I go to the principal's office, give my name to the woman who attends to the students and sit down on one of the chairs here to wait for the principal to call me, which happens a few minutes later.