This Is a Wasteland

Part Two

I set it back where it was and I automatically feel sick to my stomach.

I swiftly stand up and head down the hall.

“Um. My mom just texted me and said that I need to go home.” I say in a shaky voice.

“Is everything alright? Vic asks.

“Wait why wouldn’t she text me?” Jaime asks.

“I’m fine and I’m just in trouble. I didn’t do my chores, Jaime.” I say looking at him.

He exchanged a look with me and he automatically knew something was wrong. He knew that Mom wasn’t even home right now.

“Okay. Well see you later, Mads.” Mike says with a small smile.

I head to the door and grab the handle.

“Wait! Your stuff.” Tony says.

“Right.” I say with a huff.

I quickly head back down the hallway and Tony’s right on my heels.

“Is everything alright? I know it’s none of my business and I know we’re not exactly good friends yet…” He asks worriedly.

“Can you come over tomorrow?” I ask.

He nods and smiles a bit.

“I’ll text you my address.” I say walking out of Mike’s room.

“Oh fuck. My Mom wants me home too.” I hear Jaime say.

I have the best brother at times.

I get back in the kitchen area and Jaime stares at me.

“Can I get a ride home?” Jaime asks.

I nod and we head outside.

We quickly get in my car and I speed off down the street to get back home.

After about five minutes in a silent car ride we arrive home.

I get out of the car and walk quickly to the front door and unlock it.

I run up the stairs and into my bedroom.

I violently throw Mike’s hoodie in the corner of my room and toss my backpack in my desk chair.

My phone starts blasting the familiar, yet annoying tone and I pull it out of my pocket and answer it.

“Hello?” I ask holding back tears.

“Hey. Can we hang out tomorrow, since you had to leave?” They ask.

I register the voice as Mike.

“Um. I’m grounded tomorrow. Maybe Sunday.” I say.

“Alright. Talk to you later, Baby. Night.” He says.

I drop my phone to the ground and stare at my light pink and dark pink striped room.

There’s a light tap at the door followed by a tiny squeak as it opened.

“Mads, are you alright?” Jaime asks.

“No.” I say crossing my arms.

His arms fling around me and hold me tight.

We both slide to the ground as tears pour from my eyes.

“I-I-I d-don’t know what I d-did wrong!” I say sobbing.

He just holds me tighter and shushes me.

Jaime starts singing Come One, Come All to me and it calms me down a lot.

“I love how you’re singing me a song from people that you know, but I idolize.” I say wiping the tears from my face.

“You’ll meet them one day.” He says with a small smile.

All Time Low has gotten me through a lot of shit. Like the suicide of my best friend, depression, feeling alone. I could go on and on.

“So what’s going on?” Jaime asks carefully.

“Mike…Mike…” I struggle on my words and start crying again.

“Shhhh. It’s okay, Ad’s.” He says soothingly.

I just grip onto his shirt and cry harder.

He rubs circles on my back until I stop crying again.

“Addie, what’s going on?” He asks worried.

“Mike’s cheating on me.” I say numb.

“He’s what? Are you fucking kidding me!? You’ve been with him for almost four years and that fucker does that to you? I’ll fucking kill him.” Jaime yells standing up and pacing back and forth.

I stand up and pull him to a stop.

“Jaime please don’t say anything. I don’t want him to know that I know yet. Just keep it to yourself and don’t say anything to anyone. You have to promise me this, Hime!” I say calmly.

He stares me in my eyes angrily.

“Promise me.” I beg holding out my pinky.

He hooks my pinky to his and nods his head.

“I promise.” He says in barley a whisper.

I walk to my bed and lay across it.

“So are you going to dump him?” He asks.

“I don’t know yet. It’s too much to take in right now. I just need to think.” I say quietly.

“Okay. Well I’m going with Vic tomorrow to get tour dates and to sign off on some things.” He says quietly.

He kind of lingers by my door for a second more.

“Let me know if you need me. Love you, Mads.” He says shutting my door.

I shove my pillow to my face and scream into it.

I sit up and put my So Wrong, It’s Right cd in the player and start it.

I automatically switch it to Remembering Sunday and put it on repeat.

I switch off my light and lay face down.

Listening to the song for the third time in a row, I sing to my heart’s content.

“She’s been running through my dreams, and it’s driving me crazy it seems. I’m gonna ask her to marry me.” I sing.

Suddenly I remember Mike telling me that he was going to marry me someday.

“You fucking liar!” I scream into my pillow.

Hot tears run down my cheeks and I cry for what seems like hours.

Like usual I get so angry and I cry so long that I’m suddenly tired.

I close my eyes for a second, and I’m in dreamland.