You'll Never Be Alone

Chapter 8

TAYLOR'S POV

Maddie and I sit on the floor of the bathroom in silence for a few minutes.

"Mads, I know Tree is mad at me, and not wanting to help, but I know she'll come around, it'll be okay," I say. Maddie shrugs.

"If she wanted to she would," Maddie said quietly. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and gently rub.

"I'm sorry Mads, Tree is really nice, I promise, she just doesn't believe me. She doesn't think that you're struggling, I'll talk to her later," I say. Maddie shrugs again. She slowly stands up and walks back to her room. I sigh and follow her.

"Can I have some space right now?" Maddie asks in barely a whisper. I nod and kiss the top of her head. I walk back to my room and sit on the bed and start to text Tree.

Taylor: Hey Tree, I know you don't believe me that Maddie is struggling but she's not lying. She tried to kill herself, that's when I met her in the hospital. Maddie's alone, and I'm trying to help her.

Tree: I'm not involved in this Tay. I love you but I don't believe you.

Taylor: Come and see her today then.

Tree: Tay, it's 11:30 at night

Taylor: Whatever tomorrow then

(Tree read)

Taylor: Please Tree, I know you don't believe me. Maddie's sick, she's anxious about everything, she's traumatized, and she has nobody.

(Tree read)

I sigh and put my phone down. I fell asleep for a little while. I hear a small voice coming from my doorway filled with anxiety and nerves.

"Tay, I had a nightmare," Maddie whispers. I slide out of bed and wrap my arms around her.

"It's okay, I'm right here, shhh," I whisper. I gently let go of her and she slid to the floor shaking. I quickly drop next to her and wrap her in my arms. Mads starts to sob.

"I-I can't b-b-breathe," Maddie says.

"You'll be okay sweetheart, I'm right here, can you follow my breathing?" I ask gently, rubbing her arm. Maddie falls into a panic and she clutches at me for comfort. "Maddie, Maddie sweetheart, shhh, breathe in, breathe out." Maddie shakes her head with tears still falling.

"I can't Tay!" Maddie sobs. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck and I gently rub her back up and down.

"Mads, I'm not leaving you, I'm right here. Match my breathing okay?" I say. Maddie slowly starts to calm down. "What's five things you can see?" I ask after a minute. It's a common coping method that people have used for me.

"Um, you, the bed, the-the," Maddie shakes. She buries her face in my shoulder and starts to sob again. I hold her tightly to me but she's still scared.

"Maddie, tell me what happened," I say after a second.

"It was just the dream!" Maddie says irritated. "Sorry." She whispers a second later.