To The End

17 It is always best to listen to those who you know are right.

9 Days

              Mom walks in. God, she never did learn to knock. "Hi, Mum" she waves. "Look what I brought, Dakota!" she smiles and holds up a thick leather book. "Great... what is it?" she grins, "It's an old photo album" oh lord. Mikey now looks interested. "I found this picture..." she leafs through the pages. "...Of you before you cut your hair" she holds the picture out. Oh lord, that's embarrassing. Mikey tries to hide a laugh, "You were... blonde?" I sigh, "Yes, six years ago" he grins. "Okay, that's not even the same Dakota. I'm a completely different person now!" mom smiles, "I loved your natural hair." she pats me on the head, then puts the album on my lap. "Thought you might want to look at that. I've got to go now. Bye..." she leans in to hug me, but then something must have changed her mind, because she just turns right back around and goes to the door. That did hurt, you know. Glad I didn't say anything.

        Mikey hugs me, pinning me to the couch. "Not gonna look at the pictures?" I shake my head, "Memories are painful." I sigh. He frowns and sits back up, "Won't you tell me why?" I shake my head. "It's gonna kill me, you know." I nod "Oh, I know" I grin.

        God, that doctor who ringtone really does throw me off. I flip my phone open, and put it to my ear,

"Hello?"

"Hello, Dakota"

"Doctor? Is something wrong?"

"Are you sure you told me everything that has happened recently?"

"Um... yes?"

"Quite sure?"

"Yes"

"What about you going on tour with this My Chemical Romance?"

 I can't respond to that.

"It's going to be months, Dakota. You know you aren't supposed to"

"Yes, but I have to"

"No, you don't. It's dangerous"

"I don't care. I can take care of myself."

"It's because of this... Mikey.. isn't it?"

"No"

"Why are you going then?..."

Why aren't  words coming out of my mouth?

"Dakota, why are you going? Are you going to get away from something?"

My throat is really dry.

"Is this to try and get back at your parents?"

I hear him sigh,

"I just need to know"

"It's nothing at all. Who did you talk to about this? My parents? Maybe they didn't tell you the whole story, Doctor. I'm going because I'm filling in for their keyboard player."

"Well, that's good to know. But you still can't go."

"I can"

"Dakota, don't."

"I'm an adult, and you simply advise me. You have no actual effect on anything I say or do. Alright, Doctor? I'll see you when I get back."

I hang up. God, I can't believe that man is trying to help me with my sanity.

God, why don't I listen?