This Is a Wasteland

Part Seven

I grab my backpack, slide on my shoes and rush out the front door.

I start walking down the street home.

“Maddie! Come back!” I hear someone yelling behind me.

I hear feet stomping toward me and I take off running.

“Fuck off.” I scream running as fast as I can.

My heart races and my legs move as fast as they can.

Fuck Jaime. Fuck them. I don’t need them. I have myself.

I slow down and start walking again.

I look up to the sky and stare at the summer clouds.

Maybe it’ll still be a good summer.

“Maddie get in the car.” A voice shouts.

I jump from freight and turn my head to the voice.

Jaime.

“No thanks. I’d rather walk.”
“I’m not giving you a fucking choice. Get in the fucking car now.”

“Go fuck yourself. You’re not my mom.”

“Madeline Marie Preciado get in the fucking car right fucking now. I will get out of the fucking car and grab you myself. Get the fuck in now. I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”

I glare at him for a minute then step towards the door.

I set my hand on the handle and lean down to look through his window.

“Why should I? You say all this rude shit to me then expect me to get into your car. No.”

I take my hand off the handle and take off running to my house only a block down.

I step onto my lawn and start walking again. My breath uneven and panting.

I hear a car door slam and run to the front door.

“Madeline!”

I throw myself through the front door and throw my backpack against the wall.

“Maddie don’t take this out on everyone else!”

“I can’t help but do that because I don’t want to be stuck in a bus with you. I’m not meaning to take it out on them.”

“Mads please rethink it.”

“Don’t call me Mads anymore. I don’t want you calling me that.”

He looks down to the ground.

“I really fucked up. Didn’t I?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry. I really am.”

“I don’t know, Jaime. I’ve had shitty things said to me before but never by you. You and I are closer than normal people should be and you just attacked me for fucking no reason.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Madeline. I take back what I said. I don’t know why I said it. I’m just mad I guess that all my band mates are all over you. I mean you’re my sister.”

“I’m sorry for punching you.”

He smiles a little and I smile back.

“Also Vic’s not all over me.” I say giggling.

“Well he used to like you. I think he still does sometimes.”

I crinkle my nose and shake my head.