Crazy Girl

15. True Soldier

Marley walked back inside of her room sad but happy.

"Guys! You're not going to believe this!" Marley said jumping up and down.

"Whoa! Chill out slim. Whats up?" Stormer asked.

"I'm going back to Charleston!"

"To stay?!"

"I wish. But no! I'm going to....a funeral."

Marley got sad all over again thinking about Mrs. Drayton dying.

"Who died?"

"I guess you could call her my grandmother. I taught her something's and she taught me something's."

"I'm sorry for your loss. But like I said, you're a little solider. You'll pull through."

Stormer smiled at Marley.

"I could've swore you hated me Stormer. Now look at us, we're closer than ever!"

"I was wrong on my behalf. I'm sorry I was just jealous."

"Jealous of what? Incase you haven't noticed, I'm bald with cuts on my arm. I have no one. There's nothing to be jealous of."

"When you came, you had all these stories of you and Jacob. It seems like you guys are in love. I was jealous because everyone that has ever told me they loved me has left me. They left me like it was nothing..Like I was nothing."

"You're beautiful Stormer. You deserve so much better than Omari. And your sister, she's a soldier not me. She died fighting her own battle. She was at war with herself and it seemed like she couldn't beat it and died trying to. If you ask me, she's a true soldier."

"I never thought about it like that.."

"You should view life in a different perspective. Think about all of the positive things that have happened to you and put the negative things aside. You'll feel so much better Stormer."

"You're right. And I'm happy you're going back to Charleston! You get to stay with Jacob and visit with your friends and stuff!"

"Roc, Ray, and Prod are like brothers I guess.."

"Hey! Speaking of Ray, you think you can get his number for me?"

Stormer started smirking.

"Stormer! I knew you liked him. I saw the way you looked at him when he walked in!"

"Was it that obvious? Damnit!"

"Pretty much..I can't wait to tell Jacob that I'm coming down!"

"Don't tell him! Surprise him. He won't expect it. He'll be happier than ever if he doesn't know because he won't expect it."

"That's a great idea. We should go get some lunch too. I'm starving!"

Stormer and Marley walked down to the cafeteria.

They saw Dasia and Val already eating lunch and sat next to them.

"Hey guys!"

"Wassup kiddo!" Val said putting his fork down.

"You still don't know my name?" Marley asked laughing.

"I know it. It's Marley. But it's better to go by nicknames you know. To make it more fun in here!"

"That makes more sense I guess."

"Let's go fix our tray Marley." Stormer said.

"Okay. I really want some salad!"

Stormer and Marley went up to the front and made their trays.

"I've heard about places like this. But I never thought they were like this."

"Like what?" Stormer asked.

"You know when you read about a psychiatric home, you hear stories about crazy people. You know people that are beyond crazy."

"I thought the same thing. And then they sent me here and it was so different..It's more normal people in psychiatric homes than crazies."

Marley put some Italian dressing on her salad and sat the spoon back down.

"I never thought I'd see myself in here. I thought I was as normal as it got! But I guess I'm a crazy girl." Marley said laughing.

"Speaking of crazy girl..When Jacob calls you that..Is he trying to be mean to you or is it a nickname?"

"It's his nickname for me I guess. I don't think he's trying to be mean. Just funny."

Stormer and Marley went back to the table and sat with Dasia and Val.

"Has anyone heard from Trevor?" Dasia asked everyone.

"Nope."

"Nah."

"No."

Everyone answered.

"Well anyways..The fair is coming down in two weeks! Aren't you guys excited?"

"Hell yeah! It's the only time we actually get to be on our own and do what we want." Stormer said eating more of her grilled cheese.

"Wait, we get to go?" Marley asked.

"Yeah. We get into groups and someone responsible and mature watches the group until it's time to leave." Val said.

"Volunteers or patience's?"

"Either. This year I'll try and convince them to let me watch over you guys. We all can go wild!"

Everyone started laughing and high-fiving.

"Can we invite people?" Stormer asked.

"We can tell them to meet us there." Val said eating.

"Who are you trying to invite?" Dasia asked smirking.

"Marley, do you think you can invite Jacob and his friends?"

"Yeah sure! I know Jacob will go with me."

"Good."

"Val, Dasia! Guess what!" Marley said smiling.

"What is it?"

"I'm going back to Charleston!"

"To stay?" Dasia asked sadly.

"No. I have to go to a funeral and I'm staying down there for a few days. I'll be back though!"

"I'm sorry for your loss kiddo."

"Thanks Val."

Everyone ate the rest of their food and went back to their rooms.

Marley and Stormer went back to their room laughing and giggling the entire way there.

"What was it like Stormer?" Marley asked sitting on her bed laughing.

"It kind of hurt at first. But it felt right..I loved him and he loved me."

Stormer sighed.

"It must've been the best night of your life."

"It was. But the more we did it, the better it got. We stopped as soon as I found out I was pregnant. That's when he left.."

"He'll be back Stormer."

"Yeah..I guess! But I'm going to go watch TV. Wanna come?"

"Maybe another time. I have to pack. I leave tomorrow."

Stormer winked at Marley and walked outside of the room.

Day 1 Marley would've never thought she and Stormer would be this close.

Marley grabbed her suitcase out of her closet and began to pack some of her clothes.

'I'm going home.' Marley thought to herself as she smiled.