𝑇𝑊𝐼𝑁 𝑆𝐼𝑍𝐸 𝑀𝐴𝑇𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑆 / 𝐽.𝐵.𝑅

WORRIED SICK

The first light of dawn filtered through the thin curtains of Alex's room, casting a soft, golden glow across the scattered remnants of her overnight chaos. She had managed to make her way back from the mainland, but her emotions were still tangled in a web of confusion and frustration. The familiar setting of her room felt both comforting and suffocating, a stark reminder of her recent turmoil.

As Alex sat on the edge of her bed, her gaze fell upon the crumpled note she had left behind. It was a simple message, but it carried a weight of its own. Her fingers traced the words, her mind replaying the events that had led her here. The escape, the realization, and the return had all come in a rush, leaving her with more questions than answers.

The tranquility of the morning was soon interrupted by the sounds of her phone buzzing insistently. Alex hesitated before reaching for it, her heart sinking at the sight of several missed calls and messages from the Pogues. She hadn't expected them to find out so quickly about her departure, nor did she anticipate their concern. Taking a deep breath, she decided to address the situation head-on.

"Hey, Alex, where are you? We've been worried sick!" Kiara's message was a mix of concern and frustration.

Alex sighed and typed a quick response, her fingers hovering over the screen. "I'm back home. Sorry for the worry. I needed some time alone."

After sending the message, Alex threw on some clothes and made her way to the kitchen. The house felt unusually quiet, amplifying the solitude she had chosen for herself. She had hoped that distance would provide clarity, but all it had given her was a renewed sense of the complex web she had spun around her life.

As she made herself a cup of coffee, she heard the familiar rumble of a car pulling up outside. The sound of footsteps on the porch signaled the arrival of the Pogues. They had come to check on her, their concern evident in their hurried knocks on the door.

Alex opened the door to find John B, Kiara, and Pope standing there, their faces etched with worry. John B's expression softened as he saw her, relief and exhaustion mingling in his eyes. Kiara looked ready to burst with frustration, while Pope's eyes were filled with a quiet, almost fearful concern.

"Alex, where have you been? We were so worried!" John B's voice was gentle but laced with an edge of frustration.

Alex shrugged, her gaze shifting between them. "I needed to get away for a bit. I thought it would help clear my head."

"You can't just run off like that," Kiara interjected, her voice tinged with anger. "We were all really worried about you. And where did you go, anyway?"

Alex hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I went to the mainland. But it didn't feel right. I came back because... well, I needed to be here."

John B placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're here for you, Alex. Whatever you're going through, you don't have to face it alone. Just promise us you'll reach out before you do something drastic again."

Alex looked around at her friends, their concern and support evident. For the first time in a while, she felt a glimmer of hope. The road ahead would be challenging, but with the Pogues by her side, she felt a renewed sense of determination to confront her issues and find a path forward.

The conversation shifted as the group began discussing their plans and what they could do to support each other. Alex listened, feeling a sense of gratitude for the unwavering support of her friends. She realized that while she had been seeking escape, what she truly needed was connection and understanding.

As the day wore on, Alex and the Pogues began to rebuild their sense of normalcy. They talked about their recent experiences, shared stories, and began to make plans for moving forward. The support and camaraderie they shared helped to ease the tension that had built up over the past few weeks.

As evening approached, Alex found herself reflecting on the day's events. She had faced her fears, confronted her emotions, and reconnected with her friends. The journey ahead would undoubtedly be challenging, but she felt more prepared to face it with the support of the people who cared about her.

With a sense of renewed hope and determination, Alex looked forward to the future, ready to face whatever came next with the strength and support of her friends by her side. The road to recovery would be long, but she knew she was not alone in her journey.

As the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the Outer Banks, Alex found herself drawn back to the bridge. Her high had mellowed, and with it came a flood of mixed emotions. She remembered the bridge from the night before, the place where she had almost let her pain swallow her whole. It was a place of reflection, and she needed to process her feelings.

The bridge loomed in front of her, the quiet of the evening amplifying her thoughts. She leaned on the railing, staring down at the dark water below. The serene setting was a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt inside.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. She turned and saw Rafe Cameron walking toward her, a smug expression on his face. Alex's heart skipped a beat. The last person she wanted to see right now was Rafe.

"Well, well, look who we have here," Rafe said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Back at the scene of your little breakdown, huh?"

Alex's mood shifted quickly. Her earlier laughter was gone, replaced by a simmering anger. "What do you want, Rafe?" she snapped, trying to keep her voice steady.

Rafe smirked and leaned closer. "Just wanted to see how you're doing. Or maybe I just wanted to see if you were dumb enough to try again."

Alex took a step back from the railing, her anxiety spiking. "I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

But Rafe wasn't done. "You know, it's pathetic how you think you can handle all your problems by yourself. You're weak, Alex. Always have been."

His words cut deep, and Alex felt the familiar rush of panic. "Shut up, Rafe. You don't know anything about me."

Rafe's smirk widened. "Oh, but I do. I know that you're a mess and that you're just looking for a reason to give up."

Before Alex could react, Rafe shoved her. The force of the push caught her off guard. She stumbled, her arms flailing as she tried to catch her balance. But the edge of the bridge was too close, and she teetered for a split second before falling over.

Screaming, she plunged into the water below. The shock of the cold was immediate, sending her into a disoriented panic. She flailed, trying to keep her head above water, but the fall had knocked the wind out of her.

Rafe leaned over the railing, looking down with a twisted satisfaction. "Good riddance," he muttered before turning away, leaving Alex to struggle in the water.

Alex managed to get her head above the surface, gasping for breath. The water was dark and choppy, making it difficult to see. She tried to swim to the shore, but her strength was waning. Her panic only made things worse, and she could feel herself sinking.

Just as she was about to give up, she heard shouts from above. The Pogues had arrived at the bridge, having come to check on her. They saw Rafe leaving and quickly realized something was wrong. They ran to the edge and looked down, their faces filled with horror as they spotted Alex struggling in the water.