The Eleventh Ward

Chapter 19

I wanted my last few days in the eleventh ward to be the best they could be, and they were. Once the group found out about me and Luke (we told them the next morning because after the Lea thing, we decided keeping things secret was a bad idea), we spent our days chilling in the lounge playing shitty games and telling funny stories. I still wouldn't let Calum get over loosing to a girl, and neither would anyone else. I spent my nights sitting on the windowsill with Luke, whispering and stealing kisses until a nurse would come and tell us to go to bed. And every night I would lie awake in bed, praying they wouldn't send me back to prison, but also secretly hoping I wouldn't have to stay in the eleventh ward forever.

When I woke up on my last day, I felt the weight of the ruling sit on my chest. Today I would leave everyone I loved behind, but instead of crying about it in bed, I got up and went to breakfast. Over the last few days, Gracie had swapped to where Erin used to sit on the other side of the table so Luke could sit next to me. When he sat down this morning, he took my hand underneath the table and squeezed it tight, his way of showing me he would be by my side no matter what happened today. Nobody said anything over breakfast, but despite no words being said, everyone still came to my room to help me pack what little items I had. Lacey opened the drawer in my bedside table and started laughing, pulling out an empty beer bottle. And that's when the 'remember when's' started. And this time I didn't have to laugh along as if I knew what they were talking about, because I really did know. "Remember when Michael died Brandi's hair turquoise in the boys bathroom" "Remember when Brandi started a food fight in the cafeteria" "Remember when we thought her and Ashton were fucking because he snuck us beer and jelly beans" We ended up on the floor laughing, all of us happy with our memories, blocking out the times we had spent fighting and hating each other. Because what was the point in remembering them? We were blissful and ending things on a high, and I'd never been so sad to leave a group of people behind. But finally, I got a knock on the door. It pushed open and Ashton stood there, his eyes so sympathetic. "Brandi, they're ready for you".

Just like with Erin, we stood in the foyer to say goodbye. I hugged Gracie first. "I'm sorry you didn't get to say goodbye to Lea" she said, some tears spilling over, "It's okay,". Calum was next, and for a second his bad boy sex addict persona went down, and he pulled me in for a tight hug. "It was fun while it lasted Cocktail" he smirked and I rolled my eyes. I turned to Michael and he smiled. "Thank you for everything" I said, and he pulled me into his arms. "I'll miss you" he said before letting me go. Lacey didn't even wait to say anything, she just threw her arms around my shoulders and started crying. "I'm sorry I was a bitch to you, but you're one of the best friends I've ever made" and just like that, I was proved wrong. She said those two words I never thought she would, and I was so happy it was me she said them to. When she finally let go, her cheeks were wet with tears. "Bye Lacey, I'm gonna miss you". Tears were running down my cheeks now, but I knew there was no point wiping them away. I looked up at Luke, his blue eyes filling with tears as he pulled me close against his chest. "I love you" he whispered "I love you too" I whispered back, and pulled away. He kissed me on the forehead and I knew that I had to turn around and say goodbye. My feet were so heavy and my chest screamed at me not to go, but I still walked forward towards the door Ashton was holding open. His eyes were filled with tears as well, and even though I knew I wasn't allowed to hug him, I did anyway because what did I have to loose. "Bye Ashton, thank you for everything". He smiled that infectious smile at me and I smiled back, before turning around and looking back at the only people I loved. And then I turned around and let the door close behind me.