Pulse

Chapter 2- Sue Me

Chapter Two

122 Days after the jump

My final day of rehab.

"Oxana."

I ignore her out of spite. Her cheery optimistic voice just rubs me the wrong way.

"Oxana..."

Yes? I answer internally.

I shift my gaze up and meet her sparkling blue eyes.

The cheery nurse smiles way too enthusiastically for my liking.

"It's the release day! The day you get to leave!" She exclaims clapping giddily. She is probably more happy about the fact that today is the day that I will finally not be under her care anymore than the fact that I am considered "saved"or "healed".

"Really?" I gasp. As if I didn't know when I would be able to leave this shit hole. This place makes me want to kill myself.

And no, the irony is not lost upon me.

She is too daft to understand my sarcasm and continues, "Are you ready?"

"Hm, I just don't know?" I look nervously around the room for a second. "Yes, obviously. One more day in this hell-hole and I would have to actually end myself this time."

She arches an eyebrow at me.

"It's sarcasm, no worries."

Apparently that's not an appropriate thing to say in a suicide rehabilitation center.

"Careful Oxana."

I shake her hand politely and offer her the most sincere smile that I possibly can. She just stares at me like a failed experiment. I never did like her very much. Nancy. That overly cheerful Nancy.

After this whole "ordeal" my parents decided to dump me at the Bright and Sunny Days suicide prevention center, where all they did was feed me bullshit lies about how worthy I am. I appreciate the constant compliments and uplifting statements. However it has ruined whatever chance I had anyways of finding a boyfriend. My bar has been set far too high now.

The nurse leads me to the front desk, where no one is waiting to retrieve me or help me with my release papers. At least I am finally freed of positive-Nancy. Or however the fuck that goes.

Yeah, its possible I have a swearing issue. Sue me.

I sign countless stacks of papers, turn in my bright yellow rehab clothes with the smiley faces that happen to land right on my tits, to my delight. I will miss those and all the easy to crack jokes that come along with them. And the last thing to do is hand in my 'Oxana Badger: no. 188, high-risk' badge.

I nod at the desk lady. Tell me that lady loves her job.

I head toward the automatic doors that open in front of me, opening a whole new start for me. However freedom doesn't hit me like I thought it would as I walk out into the crisp spring air. I kind of stand there bewildered and I feel overwhelmingly alone out here.

Then another thought creeps into my head. How the fuck am I suppose to get home now? Sure I told my parents I'd rather walk to the depths of hell than have them waiting here for me when I got out, but I didn't think they'd actually leave me here to fend for myself.

I stand awkwardly around for a moment before I notice a middle aged man in a black suit wave me over. His bald head reflects the bright sun and a wave of relief rushes over me.

"Here to take Oxana home. Is that you?" A smooth voice coaxes me into the extravagant Mercedes. My parents sent me a chauffeur. Charming.

Those rich inconsiderate fuckers.

I hop in and slam the door behind me, hoping that I never have to set my eyes on this place again. I want to get home as fast as possible after being here for over 4 months. Can you blame me. The, apparently inexperienced chauffeur, is still fumbling to get the key in the keyhole.

"Today?" I question as I tap my foot.

I receive a death glare right as the key finally submits and fits in.The driver tells me that it will be about a three hour drive. His deep voice and the sound of the engine revving calms me down somehow, and I try to sleep to pass the time faster.

I hear the sound of his seat-belt buckling and, without opening my eyes, say, "Step on it."

I drift off to the sound of rain hitting the windshield, and try to avoid thoughts of meeting my family again. My dreams carry me far off, and I sleep better than I have in months.

***

"Oxana. Oxy? Ox." A smooth voice repeats all within a 3 second time period.

I wave dismissively at the source of the sound.

"I'm up, Jesus Christ."

I swear I heard him mutter something about 'spoiled bitches'.

I grab my small gray duffel bag, and try not to look at the familiar large brick house before me.

I force myself through the red door to see my family all sitting at the kitchen table holding hands, inside of the house that I thought I'd never see again.

It is too much and I feel that overpowering feeling washing over me. I close my eyes and fall to my knees.

***

A/N The chapter is still not quite as long as I hope to make the others, but this chapter was meant to be a trip home and cramming more in it was never really the plan.

Editing is coming much easier to me than I ever imagined. It is as if I never left for 5 years, the story still feels so natural to me!

I hope the minor changes help develop the more mature image I wanted for Oxy without taking away her spunk. I am also trying to do the whole story in present tense, to make it feel more current and alive.

If you liked it please vote or comment, it would mean the world to me!

Rework of this chapter: January 13, 2019