The Boy Behind the Mask {Delirious}

Chapter 1

MACY's P.O.V.

"I love you, okay? I promise I'll be better when I come back," her soft lips kissed the top of my head and she was escorted inside the hospital. Her sobs grew quieter the farther she walked away.

My mother was plagued with bipolar disorder. Most of the time she was happy, always joking and caring for me. Though, there were those times when she'd lash out and take it out on me; not physically, but mentally. Whenever that happened, she never left me alone. She forced me to stay near her and forced me to listen to the horrible things she'd say.

"You were the reason your father left."

"I never got to live my life because of you."

"You were a mistake."

It had been like that ever since I could remember and over time, I learned to get used to her constant behavior. She was my mom and I loved her unconditionally, even if it hurt me.

But last week, my grandparents had visited. They didn't visit often since they lived in North Carolina while we lived in Oregon. Neither of them were happy with my mom. They were all friendly at the beginning of the visit, smiling and reminiscing about when my mom was a child. Then she got angry later into their visit and they saw how she lashed out at me.

My mom never seemed to remember her shouting, so when my grandparents had scolded her afterwards and explained to her what she did, she realized how horrible this really was. I've told her about if before but I never told her how severe it usually was so she didn't feel terrible about herself. In order to help me, she registered herself into a rehabilitation center while I went to live with my grandparents in North Carolina.

Was I reluctant in moving? Of course. I had lived in a small town in Oregon for my entire life. I had never even been outside the state. I had already graduated high school less than a few months ago and was planning to take a year off before starting college, which turned out to be a well thought out decision because of the certain turn of events.

Hopefully, I'd be back home by fall next year in order to enroll into my planned college.

"Macy, it's time to go," my grandmother called to me, I felt her frail hands lightly grab my arm and tugging me in the direction of the car.

I had only just realized I stood in the same spot, staring at the doors they took my mother through. No one ever specified how long she would be gone. It could take weeks, maybe months and I wasn't at all prepared for that.

"We already have all your luggage in the taxi," my grandma said again as we walked to the car. "I'm so sorry, dear."

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North Carolina looked slightly similar to Oregon, which helped calm my nerves. When we passed by lush green forests on the taxi after our plane ride, I was relieved. My grandparent's neighborhood was also very welcoming and a few neighbors even stopped by to introduce themselves. Most of the kids on the street were younger than me, except one boy who lived across the street.

He was only nineteen, a year older than me, with brown eyes and blonde hair, who came over with his parents and younger sister.

The only house that hadn't made an effort to visit or at least wave from their window was the house next door. My grandparent's house was at the end of a dead end street, right next to the endless forest. The thought of it was more relaxing than frightening.

"Your room is the last door to the right when you each the top of the stairs. We'll let you unpack while we cook dinner. Just shout if you need anything or if you get lost," my grandpa told me, handing me my luggage and ushering me inside.