For You (DISCONTINUED)

Eleven

"Come on, D" Kendra pleaded, giving me that look. She knew exactly how to get what she wanted. "You need to get out of this treehouse for a while."

"Kendra.."

"No. We're taking a walk. Staying cooped up in here isn't going to help you, Dani. Please."

I sighed as I walked over and grabbed Austin's sweatshirt off the cushion in the nook by the window. I glanced up, and looked through the cracked window. Dust had begun to fill the cracks, and if I looked through the window at just the right angle, I could see our names written in Austin's handwriting. He knew how much I hated writing on the windows but he was too cute to yell at.

The small smile that tugged at the edges of my mouth faded as I spun around and looked at Kendra.

"Does it still smell like him?"

I nodded slightly and pulled it over my head. I walked slowly towards her and the latched door, hiding my hands deep inside the warm pockets.

I followed her through the door and down the ladder, squinting in the sunlight. The paint on the flower pot that sat by the ladder had begun to chip away. I turned towards the path that leads to my house, but the outside world seemed so foreign.

"I don't feel like going anywhere right now.." My voice sounded so unfamiliar.

"Dani.. I know you don't want to be anywhere but in this treehouse because that was the last place you were with Austin, but you can't neglect your health. You need to eat and stretch your muscles. You'll feel better."

Her words went in one ear and out the other. She continued as I kicked the ground a bit.

"We don't have to stay out long. We'll be back in an hour or so."

My eyes drifted from the ground up to hers. I nodded slightly. Maybe she was right..

***

I let my eyes travel from the dark and gloomy sky back to Kendra. She ran her fingers through her short hair, letting it fall back into place again. Her eyes were locked on something far in the distance. She pulled her sweater tighter around herself and glanced over at me.

The swing creaked underneath me, pulling me back to reality. Kendra had said something but I had no idea what it was.

"... And stop for ice cream before we head back. I know you don't want to, but you should drop by your house before we go back to the treehouse. Get some clean clothes, take a shower. You'll feel better."

I nodded involuntarily.

She stood up off the swing and I followed her motions without much thought.

It was quiet for a while and before I knew it, there was ice cream in my hand. And on my hand. It was everywhere, really.

I heard a small giggle from my left as I tried to wipe my fingers clean while holding my ice cream. Kendra's hand slipped around my ice cream, freeing my hand. The napkin shredded and stuck to my fingers as I attempted to wipe away the ice cream remains.

I sighed and looked over at Kendra. She smiled a little and held out my ice cream.

The silence soon swallowed us again as we both resumed eating our ice cream. The next thing I know, we're standing on the brick patio in front of the back door of my house.

I bent down and moved the flowers around until I found the key. The door squeaked a little as I unlocked it and pushed it open.

I heard the television in the living room from the kitchen and tensed as I slipped down the hallway. Peering around the corner, I saw the empty living room and relaxed a bit.

"Go wash up. I'll pack some clothes for you. Do you have any requests?"

"Comfier shoes. My VANS maybe? And Austin's red beanie. It's in the drawer of my nightstand."

Kendra nodded and headed towards the stairs.

I walked down the rest of the short hallway and into the bathroom. After turning on the shower, I tossed my concealers into my makeup bag along with the small flask I kept hidden underneath the sink.

The hot water hit my back like needles but I couldn't find the energy to turn it down. I closed my eyes and sucked up the warmth from the water. The sound of the water echoed through the shower.

The bathroom door swung open, and I listened as the footsteps got louder and louder. I jumped as the shower curtain slid open just a smidge.

Standing on the other side of the curtain was Kendra.

"What are these?" Her voice was filled with anger and concern. In her outstretched hand was an unlabeled pill bottle.