The Scars She Left Behind

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bryson's POV

My mind was still racing as I finally boarded the plane. I knew that this time she was real and not a hallucination. My only question is why? Why fake death and leave? Why now come to me? It didn't have to be that way. Something bigger was going on and I didn't know if I'd find out. It was obvious to me she hadn't planned to run into me. Maybe she never did...

"Bryson! What took you so long?" I hear Reese say after the flight attendant shows me where my seat is.

"I-" I start but the words still couldn't come out. Just knowing we were so close was pushing me over the edge.

"You okay? You don't look so good." He furrows his brows helping to put my carryon in the cubby above.

"It's nothing." I sigh. "I'd rather not get into it." I huff, sitting on the outside once he's inside.

"It's obviously something not good." He points a look at me as if to let me know he'll find out eventually.

"You wouldn't believe me." I say straight-faced.

"Try me."

"It's pointless, man."

"Just get it out!" He smiles, laughing lightly. As much as I want to, this was no light matter and I know he'd think I was just seeing things again. I wish I was.

"No." I turn away. I close my eyes as I take in all the drama surrounding myself. I was taking pills for the last few weeks for my hallucinations and it has been working great so if she really wasn't real, I wouldn't have been able to see her.

"Fine, but I'm not giving up yet."

---

The flight was a shaky ride for my emotions. Reese was at it again bothering me about what had happened and I wasn't ready to give in. I had really seen her and a part of me wanted to buy a plane ticket straight back to verify it was her.

Why did life have to fuck me so much?

"NEW YORK!" Ryland exclaims once we make it outside to the midnight, lit-up city. People walking the streets and getting off like us shoot a glare our way.

Somewhere along the line of getting out of the airport, Kevin had joined us and we were all making our way into a black SUV.

As soon as I turn airplane mode off, my phone vibrates with two new messages from Natalie.

Natalie. She had completely escaped my mind after everything. It's been mere hours since we said goodbye but it feels like decades.

I send a quick, simple text to say we landed okay and drop my phone into my lap.

"You look guilty. What have you done Bryson? Is that why you were acting weird?" Reese fires at me making me groan again at his need to know everyone's business.

"Again, it's nothing." I say, hoping he'd give it up already, but I know he won't.

"Just give it up! You'll have to spill sometime!" He yells but laughs jokingly. Ryland and Ash turn to our attention now and the pressure is building on my shoulders. I slink down to ease the weight but it just grows heavier.

If I were to say the truth, they'd think I was just having my delusions again. They wouldn't believe me. I still can't even believe it.

The longer I don't speak, the tension grows and fogs the car up. Soon Reese lightly pushes my shoulder and they're all impatiently trying to get my secret out. The louder they get, the more weight bears down on me more. The fire engulfs my being again and out the truth comes.

"I saw the real Summer! Just shut up!"

An eerie silence takes over and they all looked shocked and give concerned looks to one another.

"I swear on my life! I'm not making it up." The pity in their eyes hurt me deep down. My own friends can't even trust my word anymore, but I can't blame them. I am crazy after all.

"Have you been taking your meds?" Ash asks timidly, setting me off.

"Yes!"

"I thought you stopped seeing her, have you been lying?" Reese has accusingly beside me.

"I did. I'm not lying!" I fist my hair out of frustration. "This is why I didn't say anything in the first place." I continue.

No one knows what to say as an awkward silence elopes the car once again.

I curse myself because this situation wouldn't be happening if I were normal in the first place. My stupid brain had to torment me and now no one believes me.

----

At the hotel, I grab my bags and head straight into our hotel sweet. I ended up locking myself away from everyone in the bathroom. The car ride was unbearable and seemed to never end. I'm glad to finally be out and away from the pity stares and soft murmurs about me.

My phone suddenly goes off signaling an incoming call. I pick it up from the sink where I had tossed it when I first entered and sigh.

They of course had told my therapist what had happened. I decline the call and turn my phone on silent. I didn't want to hear anything about it earlier. I know she was real, but I couldn't convince anyone otherwise.

Strange sounds were coming from the other side of the bathroom door letting me know my private time wasn't private anymore. I walk over and bang my hand against the door and hear them fall over and cuss silently.

"Go away." I say lowly. I wasn't about to come out any time soon. I'd spend all night in here if it came down to it.

"Just open the door." A voice silently says from behind the door. I lean against the door, gently hitting the back of my head against it. I say nothing and listen in hopes they leave.

Hoping they'd given up, I slide to the floor, my head falls to my knees and I beckon myself to not break. It was too much seeing her, but it's even worse knowing I'm the only one who believes it. At least she knows it as well, but I doubt we'd meet again.

♡