Take My Picture

Chapter twelve

"Harriet, oh my god. Harriet!"

"Harriet what happened?!"

I didn't look up, I know they're here to help me but I can't look up. What if they can tell? What if they know I'm lying?

"Girls, just step back for a second." I heard Demi's voice cut through. She bent down in front of me and placed her hand under my chin, gently pushing my chin up. "Harriet, sweetie, are you okay?" I nodded my head yes.

"I'm really sorry. I'm so sorry for running off, I'm sorry for making you look for me for so long, I'm sorry for how I reacted, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm just sorry." I wiped the tears off my face kind of aggressively, sick of all the crying I have done tonight.

Demi wiped one last tear from my cheek gently before helping me to my feet. "Come on Harriet, let's get you home."

When Demi got me in the car, I lent my head against the window and closed my eyes. I could hear Demi and the others talking quietly but the pounding in my head was making it hard to hear what they were saying. I heard Elise mentioned and also a phone call but after a bit I gave up on trying to listen and let my mind get clouded by my thoughts

I could feel someone shaking me gently to try and break me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Demi looking at me worried. I try my best to give a small smile and try to push myself out of the car. I didn't get very far as my legs gave out and my arms couldn't push me up. Before I fell to the ground, Demi put an arm around my waist and pulled my other arm around her shoulders. She leaned so most of my weight was leaning on her and like that she helped me walk inside. When we got to the front door is when I realise that I actually have no idea where I am. I'm not at my group home and I'm not at Brinley's either. "Whe.."

"You're at my place" Demi interrupted me knowing what I was going to ask. "Brinley called Elise and told her that you were staying with her. She thought it would be better if Elise knew the person you were staying with. I'll drop both of you home tomorrow." I nodded not having the energy to question anything anymore. "You'll have to tell her the truth tomorrow though. You won't be able to hide the bruises and cuts." I look up at her, I nod very slightly and look back down at my free hand.

Demi leads me to the living room and places me down on a couch. I sit up ridged not wanting to get her couch dirty. I can feel Madison and Brinley staring at me. The must be kind of freaked out, I'm not exactly acting normal or like I am okay. "Demi?" Madison questioned softly, looking up to her as she walked back into the room with a glass of water.

"I think she might be in a bit of a catatonic state. She'll be okay. Why don't you guys go up to the movie room and start a movie. We'll be up there in a bit." Demi suggested trying to give me the space she thinks I need. When the girls left hesitantly Demi knelt down in front of me and handed me the glass of water. "Can you tell me what happened Harriet?" She questioned softly.

What happened.... What happened was I was too scared to admit that Demi might have been right so I lashed out. What happened was I let myself get into a terrible situation. What happened was my first kiss was stolen from me. What happened was I was very nearly raped.

What happened was I fell over.

I looked down at my knee and the palm of my free hand. I fell over.

I took a sip of the water and put the glass on the coffee table in front of me. I took a deep breath before telling Demi what happened. "I was just running and not paying any attention to anything. I guess I ran for too long because my legs gave out and I fell over. I just walked a little further and found the diner so I sat down there. It was closed so I just waited hoping someone would walk past or stop because I didn't have my phone. Then I messaged you guys when someone did stop." I looked up and Demi looked a bit sceptical. See, she's not buying it. "Demi, I think you might be right. I don't know if it's bipolar specially, but I think I have some sort of mental illness." I swallowed the lump in my throat. I don't want to cry anymore. Demi was sitting back with her legs tucked under her just listening. She nodded slightly to tell me she was listening and to continue. "I got scared because if you're right, I don't know how I am going to deal with it. I can't afford therapy and neither can my group home. And I don't want to just take some medication that may not work or might not even be for what I have." I looked down at my hands and fiddled with my fingers.