Mental

Chapter 21- Mending a Broken Heart

"I'm sentencing 15 years and then 5 years parole. Case dismissed." I sighed a breath of relief and leaned back in the wooden booth. I glanced over at Madeline as she huddled into her mother's side crying.

It had taken so long to get to this point. Trials didn't start until about a month after Madeline got out of the hospital but I'm beyond thankful we know how long Evan will be put away for. I hope this allows her some ease.

I stood up with Liam to walk over and talk to her. I hadn't talked to her since that night at the hospital. "I think you should just go." Cameron says stopping me in my tracks a few feet away from her. I don't argue because I don't want to upset Madeline.

Liam and I walk out of the court house to his car parked across the street. The drive is quiet, too quiet. Liam is still pissed with me but we've been friends for too long and he knows it's who I am.

I sit and think about Madeline. How I haven't spoken to her in nearly 4 months. She doesn't come to school anymore and I don't even think she leaves her house all that much. Her mom says she barely gets out of bed in the morning.

I haven't talked to Madeline but I have talked to her mother. I go over every day after school in hopes that she'll be ready to talk to me.

They moved out of her house about a week after she got out of the hospital. Her mum found out about what was going on with Madeline and her step dad and they were gone the next day. I hope that let's her breathe a little better.

I know Madeline isn't telling her mother all that's wrong and it keeps me up at night. Just knowing that she's hurting but she doesn't want to tell her mum in fear she'd go back to Long Branch but I think she'd tell me, I hope. I'm not sure when she'll be ready to talk to me, if ever, but I hope it's soon. I miss her and I don't think I've ever missed anyone before. Except Athena. 

I look over at Liam and he looks deep in thought. He's seen Madeline a few times, when he's able too. He says she looks different. She looks older but at the same time very little and tired. He says when he goes she doesn't really talk much but not because she doesn't want to and is being rude but because she doesn't have the energy too.
Liam told me her eyes aren't sparkling anymore and I think when he said those words my heart shattered into a million pieces.

Most of the time I beg him to go over just because I need to know how she's doing. I know they just sit there in silence but just knowing someone's sitting there with her, even if it can't be me, makes me feel calmer.

We pull up to Louis' house and head inside to see the boys sitting around playing call of duty.

"How'd it go?" Louis asked, pausing the game and looking at us.

"15 years and then 5 years of parole." Liam told him as I grabbed a beer and sat down on the couch.

"Did you get to talk to her?" Louis questioned looking from me and then back to Liam.

"Cameron wouldn't let us, she was a wreck though. I think it was a relief breakdown. I hope." Liam smiled sadly before sitting next to me.

We all sat there taking turns playing even though I didn't really feel like I was there. Liam got up and answered the door but I never even heard the bell ring. I turned to see Daisy. I hadn't talked to Daisy since that night when I told everyone about Madeline and Long Branch. Daisy still hasn't talked to Madeline either but I was able to convince her to testify.

"How'd it go?" She asked Liam as I walked over to them.

"15 years and then 5 years parole." Liam told her and the corners of her mouth twitched up.

"Thank god." She sighed, looking over at me quickly. I know she wants to talk to Madeline but she's still hurt. I just hope she forgives her soon because I know losing Daisy took a huge toll on Madeline.

"Well, I have to go but I just wanted to know what happened and make sure you guys are okay. I'll see you around." She gave a small wave before making her way back down Louis' driveway.

We sat back down and I stared at the tv but I wasn't even paying attention. I was wondering what Madeline was doing right now, wondering if she was okay and if someone was with her making sure she knew she wasn't alone. I hoped she wasn't pushing her family away and I hope she wasn't beating up on herself too much.

We stayed at Louis' a little longer before we all departed. I was dreading school tomorrow but I knew school meant an excuse to stop by Madeline's house, even though it was the long way home.

***

I walked up to the door and knocked a few times. Her mother pulled it open and gave me small smile before letting me in. "Is she in her room?"

"Yes, I haven't seen her at all today. I actually just left her lunch outside her door. I think she's sleeping." Her mother told me as I followed her into the kitchen. "Hungry?"

"No I'm alright. How was she last night?" I asked sitting at the table. Her mum just let out a long sigh before turning to look at me.

"I don't know what to do." She mumbled biting her finger nails. "She cried all night, I couldn't sleep but she wouldn't let me into her room. I just had to listen to her all night. I don't know what to do. She can't just stay in her room all day and cry but she's afraid to go outside. It was such a hassle to even get her to go to court yesterday. She's become so paranoid. Her bedroom door is always locked and I constantly hear her scream only to find out it was a branch tapping on her window from the wind. I even called the tree cutting companies to cut down that stupid tree cause it was scaring her little brother." Her mother sounded so tired and heart broken.

I couldn't even imagine how she was feeling.

All I know is it's tearing me apart inside.