A Life I Only Dreamt Of [ON HOLD]

Chapter 16

   It's been a few days since I saw Gabbie last. Every time I contacted the mental hospital, they said that they were busy or that Gabbie didn't want to talk. It's as if she felt like I wanted her to be there, but I didn't. She was going to get so much worse in there, and we both knew it.
   I brought my hand to my face and left it upon my cheek. My hand was warmer than the rest of my body, and the warmth brought a gentle chill down my spine. The warmth made me feel like Gabbie was next to me with her hand on mine that was placed upon my face. I enjoyed the moment and didn't want it to end, but there was a ring coming from my phone.
   I rushed towards my phone that was resting upon the table that was across the room.
   "Hello," I answered, out of breath.
   I heard a soft breath from the other end of the phone, and my mouth curved into a smile.
   I exclaimed, "Gabbie! Hi! Oh my, how are you doing?"
   It was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Fine."
   I sighed. "Oh, no. One word responses, I see."
   She huffed, "Yep."
   "Why?"
   I could feel her disappointment through the phone. "Because you just let them take me here. You didn't even try to fucking stop them. You could have!"
   I heard a nurse tell Gabbie to keep it down in the background as she grunted.
   I answered, "I couldn't. I wanted to, but I couldn't. They would have still taken you away no matter how much I fought against it."
   "Bye," she said as her voice cracked.
   I slammed my phone down, not caring if I cracked the screen, and I went back to the couch.
   She was right. I could have tried once more to stop them, but I just watched it happen. I watched them pull her away like she was crazy. She wasn't. She was sad, and she deserved respect that they weren't giving her. They could have assigned her a therapist and called it a day. All she needed was someone to trust with everything, and no matter how hard I try, it could never be me.
   I sunk into the couch and exhaled deeply.
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   It was a few days later, and Gabbie was supposed to be released from the mental hospital.
   With this news in my mind, I took a shower and ate some food. I planned a day for us if she agreed to go do it after she relaxed at home for it.
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   I was sitting in the lobby of the mental hospital, scrolling through my phone until she got out. I heard doctors saying her name, so I put my phone in my lap and sat up straight. I didn't talk to her since that phone call, and I was excited to see her.
   Gabbie walked around the corner, clutching a pillow close to her chest. Her hair was a mess, and I could tell that she hadn't showered or changed her clothes since she got there. She looked exhausted.
   "Gab, hey!"
   She ignored me and walked past me to the exit. I shrugged it off and walked behind her.
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   It was about ten minutes into the ride home, and Gabbie didn't say a word.
   "Okay, why aren't you talking to me? I really don't get it."
   "What don't you get?" she bursted out. "You didn't fucking stop them! I was so miserable in there! I needed you, and you weren't there for me!"
   "Gabrielle," I replied. "I'm not God. I can't do everything you expect me to do. You don't think I wanted to stop them? You really think I wanted them to take you? I didn't! How many times do I have to say that? I understand you're upset that you had to go, but stop blaming me. I didn't make the choice."
   Gabbie was silent for a moment before answering. "You know, you're right there. I'm sorry."
   I just made a small noise in response as we pulled up to her apartment complex. I drove into the parking garage and parked her car in her usual spot.
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   Gabbie was in the shower, and I was sitting in my usual spot on the couch. I stared at the ceiling and got lost in thought.
   What was I doing? I didn't even know. I didn't know why I put myself through so much for others when all I get is an angered response. I was tired of Gabbie always getting pissy with me, but I understood. She was going through a lot, and I just needed to be there for her. If I left, I would be the worst friend, or girlfriend, or whatever I am. I didn't want to leave anyways. She meant the world to me, and I couldn't lose her like that.
   I heard footsteps, and it brought me back to reality.
   She was in new clothes, and her hair was blow dried and put into a ponytail. I smiled at her beauty as she looked at me with her big and bright eyes. There was the girl I knew.