Still Here

Chapter 6

Often times I wonder what a life of bliss would be like. Not having a care in the world or any problems of any kind. Just joy, happiness, and love.

The things I would give to have one.

It's nearly 8 PM and mom is still not home. I've tried calling her but there is no response. I should probably just wait until she gets home to rant about everything that happened tonight. It would freak her out too much if I were to text her all about it. Then she would definitely rush home.

But...what if she doesn't believe me?

That's nonsense. Of course she would believe me. She wouldn't think that I would be joking. Who would even want to make a sick joke like that anyway?

I decide that I really, really need a bath tonight. It will help.

I brush my hair out for a few minutes, taking my time and running my fingers through my hair. Then, I start the water, making sure it's warm.

I decide to treat myself a little extra and even add a little bath bomb to the already full bubble bath. As soon as I sit in the warm water, I immediately sigh with relief. I've always liked baths, ever since I was small. It feels nice to relax in here, at least for a little while.

After my bath I get into some warm sweatpants and a T-shirt. I notice one odd thing when I'm inside my bedroom again.

It's already occupied.

"HOLY SHIT!" I scream and stumble backwards a bit.

"Andrea! What're you-"

Then I realize it's only Mom. But still, she scared the hell out of me.

"Oh my God..." I breathe out laughter and feel so stupid for freaking out.

"Sorry I was out this late. I just got distracted by something on the walk home." She says, running her hands through my hair.

"What did you see?" I ask.

"A really huge crowd of about 15 people all gathered around a little alley. I tried to see what was going on but I couldn't get close enough to see." She says.

Oh. Fuck. No.

I decide to abort mission and just tell her all about it. After all, secrets will not be in my favor in the future.

"Mom, I've got to tell you something." I say, looking down at the floor.

"What? What's wrong?" She asks.

"That crowd that you saw.. in the alley.."

"Andrea.."

"It was.. I-It was.." I try to hide the cracks in my voice but I can tell that she already knows.

"Andrea just tell me. What happened?"

So I tell her everything.

By the time I'm done, she's sobbing too. We're both sat here on my bedroom floor holding eachother and crying. She's crying harder than I am. Loud sobs echo into the hall and many tears slide down her cheeks.

I hold her in my arms just like she held me when I was younger. I rub her back.

"I can't believe it.. I'm just.. Andrea... I..I-I'm so so sorry." She says through her tears.

"Why me?" I say.

Eventually, it all dies down a bit and we separate for now. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling with wide eyes, thoughts racing through my head. Sleep seems impossible now.

But, in time, I sleep.