Life Can Do Terrible Things // Ben Bruce

9. Gone Girl

Playlist: Someone, Somewhere- Asking Alexandria
Picture: Cameron Liddell with Ben

We had been playing video games for hours now, passing around cigarettes and pizza boxes and duelling each other. Monique had snuggled closer to Danny and he seemed to be enjoying her attention. Ben kept stealing kisses from me and making lurid jokes about Monique and Danny. I loved to see them accepting my sister and having her slip so quickly into my life again. I missed her so much. I loved her so much. I couldn't wait to see her flourish in life.

Suddenly, the door slammed and I heard stomping down our entry way.
"Tahnee?" I called out.
Danny gasped and tried to hide.
"No." I heard a whimper and then Demi appeared, angry tears falling down her face. "It's me."
I gasped and stood up. She'd only been gone for two hours. "What happened?"
"Nothing! Just leave me alone!" She hollered and ran to her room, slamming her door.
I shook my head and went to follow after her but Ben grabbed my arm.
"Maybe you should leave her be for a couple minutes? She seems really upset." He explained softly.
I chewed my lip hard. I knew he was right, but my instincts were kicking in. "It was Cameron's fault. She was on a date with him. I need to know what he did." I streamed furiously.
Danny stood up. "That fucking twat."
"Let us find out what he said happened and you and Moni can go ask Demi for her side." Ben decided.
I swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay."
He smiled at me and rubbed my shoulder. "Give her at least 10 minutes."
I rolled my eyes and sat back down on the couch. We were all too consumed with drama to keep playing video games so we put on a random movie from Netflix to pass the time. 

The boys decided a little while later to go into the kitchen and call Cameron. Once they had gone, Monique and I headed to Demi's room. I knocked on the door and she grumbled. I opened the door slowly and we walked inside. Demi was curled on top of her bed, wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie. Mascara was down her face and her long hair was in a messy bun. I sat on the edge of her bed and began to rub her leg. She placed her hand over mine and sat up slightly.
"What happened baby?" I pressed.
She swallowed hard. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Honey, you gotta tell me. I'm your best friend. Tell me so I can fix it." I coaxed.
She sat up fully and rubbed her eyes and sniffled. "Okay."

She launched into her tale. Apparently, Cameron started the night by telling her how gorgeous she was and how excited he was to see her. She was happy, but he clearly seemed intoxicated. When they started driving, he was very aggressive to other drivers and was driving recklessly. Demi's biggest fear is reckless driving and being in a car crash, but she let it slide for some reason. Once they got to the movie theatre, he purchased more alcohol and kept drinking and drinking and becoming more belligerent. She was still trying to savour the night and make the best of it. Then, someone was talking in front of him and it really pissed him off. He flew off the handle and started yelling at the people. When Demi tried to cool down the situation, he turned on her and started yelling and cursing at her.  She removed herself from the situation and got herself home as fast as possible. At this point, I was furious and ready to kill Cameron. What a way to fuck things up. Demi decided to stay in her room for a little while longer and then she'd come and hang out with us. We left her alone and headed back out to the lounge.

I could hear Ben and Danny's voices mixed in with some unfamiliar ones. Who was here? Monique followed me as I headed to the kitchen. I saw Ben and Danny on one side of the kitchen and Tahnee and what appeared to be her parents sitting at the dining table.
"Oh and here is Issy." Ben sighed and smiled. "Issy, Tahnee is here with her parents."
Tahnee looked worse for wear, her hair was matted and her clothes looked dirty.
"Hello Issy." Tahnee's mother sadly smiled.
"Hey." I said confusedly. "What's going on?"
Tahnee rolled her eyes. "They're taking me to rehab."
I furrowed my brow and whispered to Monique to grab Demi. I headed toward the table and sat across from Tahnee. "What did you do?"
"It's for her bulimia and alcoholism. We found her in our backyard, passed out and foaming at the mouth this afternoon. We can't help her anymore, and we know that you're trying to help as well. It seems that only medical professionals can try to fix her now. She's going to the best facility we can afford and it's in Oregon." Tahnee's dad explained. Oregon was so far away. I doubt we'd ever see her again.
"Just talk about me like I'm not here." Tahnee snapped.
I felt Demi sit down next to me and grabbed my hand. My eyes started to water. "I'm sorry Tah."
For the first time, she looked into my eyes and started to cry as well. "Me too."
"We're here to gather some of her things. We'll leave you three to it." Tahnee's mother said.
We nodded and the three of us stood up and headed to Tahnee's bedroom.

We took almost an hour to pack Tahnee's things. Most of that time was spent crying and hugging and reminiscing. We got her changed and cleaned up and zipped up her suitcase. We then headed back outside where the boys were sitting in the lounge talking awkwardly with Monique and Tahnee's parents were waiting in the kitchen. Tahnee left swiftly after our final goodbyes. I just knew that we'd probably never see her again, she'd never come back to West Hollywood and that she wouldn't be the final member of our trio. Once she was gone, I was so emotionally drained that I just wanted to sleep. I headed back into the lounge and sat on the couch next to Ben. He immediately put his arm around me.
"I want to go to bed." I whispered.
He nodded and I knew he'd come with me.
"I'm going to sleep." I announced, standing up. "Danny, you can crash in Tahnee's bed. Monique, you can sleep in Demi's bed or with Danny."
I started to walk to my bedroom and Ben followed closely behind.

Ben shut the door behind him and I immediately stripped from my clothes. Ben took his shirt off and threw it at me and I put it on. I wiped off my remaining makeup with a wipe and threw my hair into a bun. Ben stripped down to his boxers and laid in my bed. I turned off the light and snuggled up next to him. I was fighting tears but as soon as Ben kissed my forehead, they began to flow. He squeezed me tightly against him and whispered sweet nothings in my ears to calm me down.
"Hey baby, calm down, it's alright." Ben whispered in my ear, pressing soft kisses to the skin as he held me tight.
I continued to cry deeply into his shirt that was on my body that smelled of his cigarette smoke, his warm chest heating up my cheek. "I can't believe she's gone."
Ben sighed and held me tighter against him. "I know darling but she's going to the best place possible for her okay? She's gonna get herself better." Ben pulled away slightly, coaxing my head to look up at him. Although my room was dark, I could still see his lip rings glinting in the moonlight. He smiled sympathetically at me before pressing a light kiss to my forehead. "No more tears baby girl, I want to see your beautiful smile."
I laughed softly. "Ben it's pitch black in here, you can't see me smile anyway."
Ben's soft laughter amalgamated with mine. "But I know you are now, that's all I need." Ben's lips planted to my forehead once more. "I promise to keep you smiling until my last fucking breath."
I was so grateful for him in this moment. I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember Ben calling me Princess.

This is way way shorter than I thought it was but whatever