Finding Her Joy

Clean Up

*A/N- Sorry. This one's shorter, but I started up with college classes again and didn't have the time to make it super long. Still a good chapter, though. Char is a bit sassy in this one. The next one will be longer, I promise. Happy reading! Enjoy!

(MIA POV)
It took up the rest of the day, but the rest of the house was finished and back to being clean. Well, as clean as it could be. There were a few holes in the walls that I'd need to have Reecey fix for me. Only if he was willing to do so.

The only room I hadn't gotten to was my office. I couldn't face what I'd done in there. Everything I loved and spent so long trying to get was ripped to pieces and thrown about the room. All my books, my memories, and the pictures I'd taken and loved... they were gone now. The only bits I had left were the ones on my computer hard drive. Thank God for that.

The rest of the house was put back together and looked as nice as it could. I had to throw out every reflective object that had been shattered, but I ordered new ones to replace them.

The television also had to go, and I would need to buy a new one at some point. For now, I just covered the spot with what pictures I had that didn't get broken during my rampage.

Since there was so much to throw out, I had to call one of those companies that comes and collects the excess. The word for it is on the tip of my tongue, but since hitting my head, I can't remember what it is for the life of me.

Autumn left after she knew I was okay, but she made sure Charlotte was going to stay with me until I was back to 100%.

I cleaned everything I could by myself and made Char sit there and watch. She didn't make the mess, and she shouldn't have had to clean it up. She offered a few times to help, but I kept telling her no. I left the room a few times to put things away and found her in the kitchen washing a few of my dirty dishes.

"Charlotte," I said, walking up behind her while she continued scrubbing, "I told you I would do it myself." I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my head on her shoulder, "You've done enough for me already. Just let me clean up my own mess."

"Like you handled your own mess with Roger?" She let out a heavy sigh, stopped scrubbing, and rested her hands on the edge of the sink. "I'm sorry. That was harsh."

I let go and stepped away from her, leaning against the kitchen island behind us. "No, go on. It's fine. Let it out. I deserve it."

She dropped her head, "No, you don't. You were scared and felt alone. You were only trying to protect me because you love me so much." She turned around to look at me. "I just wish I could get over it quicker, but I-"

"But... you were scared and alone too, and it was all because of me. You're angry with me for it, but you don't want to be," I said, almost asking her if I was right.

She just nodded and looked at her feet.

"Sweetheart, I want you to be angry. Be furious. Scream at me, throw something. Hell, hit me if you feel like you want to."

"I've already yelled at you, and I think you've beaten yourself up enough for the both of us. Mentally and physically."

"Touché," I said, raising my hand up to my face. I grabbed her hands and pulled her closer to me. "I am very sorry. Roger just has this way of - no. I can't keep using him as an excuse." I shook my head and wrapped my arms around her.

She placed her hands on my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, okay? I screwed up. I take full responsibility for my actions and the way I made you feel. Take as much time as you need to. If you want to yell again, then do it. I'm fully prepared."

I don't know why, but I was practically begging for her to scream at me. If she was yelling, then I knew how she felt. She's angry with me, but she she wouldn't do anything about it. Is that normal?

I was so used to people throwing things or screaming at the top of their lungs that it all felt weird. It was making me nervous. It's like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Was she going to just leave out of nowhere like I'd done to her?

The thought of her leaving made my head spin. I felt nauseous and like the walls were caving in around me.

"Mia? Are you feeling alright?" She asked, feeling my forehead for a fever. "You look flushed. Come sit down." She pulled me to the lounge and had me sit down on the sofa.

"I'm fine," the room was spinning. I tried to stand up but fell backward.

She sat next to me, "No, you're not. I think you've overdone it today." Char laid back against the pillows and held her hand out to me. "Come on. You need to lie down and rest for a while."

"Sweetheart, really. I'm okay -"

"Oh, I see. Would you rather I call Autumn back over here? You seemed pretty cozy with her this morning. Guess I'm just not good enough anymore."

I knew she was kidding by the smirk on her face. "You know I prefer you over anyone else. My Sweet Baby," I said, stroking her cheek.

She stuck her tongue out at me, mad thet I hadn't laid down yet. I rolled my eyes, and she said, "I'll just go home then." She stood to leave, and I pulled her back down.

"That's definitely not happening."

She laughed, and I laid down on her, resting my head on her shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her as tight as I could to keep her from moving. "I need to breathe, Amelia."

I picked my head up and kissed her. "You and your air," I said sarcastically while laughing. I loosened my grip on her and laid back down.

I felt her shake her head, "Just go to sleep. You're such a child."

"You love me for it," I joked.

I felt her hands in my hair as she said, "Yes, I do love you."

"Would you still love me if I was a worm?"

"Um... that's a hard one. I'll have to think on that and get back to you in a few days."

I sat up again and glared at her, "That's mean. I'd still love you if you were a worm. You'd be the prettiest worm in the world."

"Shut up and go to sleep," she said, kissing my forehead.

I did as I was told... for once. I meant it when I said I would only be on my best behavior from now on. What Char says is what goes.

We all know how much she likes to be in charge.