Water Tower

Chapter 28

*AMANDA'S P.O.V.*

I can't believe Michael lied to me. 

Lied to everyone basically. 

I thought he was actually better, but I should have known better.

"You're not leaving me here." Michael says, grabbing my arm.

"Yes I am." I say, opening the front door to my Mom's house.

"No, you're not." He says, following me into the house. 

"Please whatever you two do, don't break that painting in the room." My Mom yells from the living room.

"We'll try not to." Michael says. He follows me into my room and stands at the doorway and watches me.

"I would like it if you would not stand at the doorway and watch me." I say, not moving or looking at him.

"I'm not going anywhere and neither are you." He says, walking over towards me.

"I'm leaving, you're staying here. Do you not understand that? Is it the drugs that are making you not understand?" I ask.

"Will you just shut the fuck up, please!" Michael yells, covering his ears.

"No I will not!" I yell back, throwing a shirt at him. He turns around and I pick up another shirt and throw it. I start feeling the tears slide down my cheek and I slide down the side of the bed. I grab a pillow and throw it towards him. "Fuck you!" I yell, but it sounds muffled with my head in my hands.

"Mandy." Michael's voice comes through my ears.

"No. Get away!" I say, pushing him away.

"Please Amanda." I feel his arms come around me again. I lay my head on his chest and cry. I want to blame him, but its all my fault. I trusted him to quickly. I've given him so many chances. I put all of this on myself.

"I did this to myself." I sob into his chest.

"No, I did this to you." He says. "I'm sorry." He says over and over again.

"Michael." I say.

"Yeah?" He says. I lift my head from his chest.

"I'm sorry I gave you so many chances."

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"I'll call you when I land." I say, hugging my Mom.

"I really wish I knew what was going on, Mandy. I'd like to help you." My Mom says, rubbing my back.

"It's alright, Mom. I've been through it before. Don't worry about me." I smile, trying to reassure her that I'll be fine.

"I'm your mother, I'm suppose to worry." She smiles. "So, are you really leaving Michael here?" She asks.

"He actually already left." I say, walking towards the door.

"What?" My Mom asks.

"Yeah, when you had to go run a few errands earlier, he and I got into another heated argument. I don't know where he went."  I say opening the door. "I'm fine, Mom." I say, noticing the worried look on her face.

"I won't keep you. Let's get going." She says, shaking her head and walking out of the house behind me.

-------------------------

"MANDY! YOU'RE BACK!"Lauren and Kaitlyn both yell, running towards me with open arms. The crash into me and wrap their arms around me.

"Glad you guys missed me." I laugh. 

"We have missed you! You have to tell us everything that happened!" Kaitlyn says. I fake a smile and nod.

"Wait a minute, wheres Michael?" Lauren asks.

"Uhmm, not for sure. I think he wanted to stay back for a little while. I only came back early cause they called me in for work." I lie.

"Oh, that sucks. He should've came back with you tho." Lauren says. "Anyways, let's go and hear all about the great California." Kaitlyn says.

We walk towards the door of the airport. Lauren and Kaitlyn keep asking me questions about California, but my focus is on a something in the distance.

"Mandy, did you even hear me?" Lauren asks.

"Sorry, what?" I say, breaking eye contact.

"What's the matter? You seem out of it." Kaitlyn asks.

"Just tired." I say, rubbing my eye, but forgetting about having make up on. "Shit." 

"Come on baby raccoon, let's get ya cleaned up and into bed." Lauren says, laughing, causing me to laugh as well. I look out and make eye contact with the same person in the distance. I can tell they're watching me intensely, but I shake my head and look away. We get into Lauren's car and drive away. My phone goes off and I look at the message.

*From: Michael
I'm sorry I'm such a dick, but don't worry. I won't be a dick anymore.*