Innocence

Macy's Mom..

(Jade's POV)
Jem and Jade were sitting in the living room talking about what happened. Jem just finished telling her the story.
"So what you're saying is Macy suddenly got a burst of adrenaline or something and now she's just feeling the effects?"
"Yeah, something like that... But I'm worried that's not actually the case.."

Jade looked at him. She knew what he meant. Ever since she saw Macy she could feel that she was different. Something, she wasn't sure what, but something was there that made her different. And seeing her in her brother's arms when she drove to pick them up made her feel a surge of protectiveness. She had rushed home as fast as possible, not even looking at Jem.

She was watching Jem right now. He was looking towards Macy's room. She couldn't tell what he was thinking but she saw a bunch of worry and concern on his face. She sighed and stood up. "Okay, you need to get out of the house. Go. Shoo. Do something to take your mind off everything."
"Umm what?"
"You heard me."
"But what about Macy?"
"Do you really think I would let anything happen to her?? I'm just as worried about her as you are, okay? Just go take a walk or ride your bike. Get out of the house for at least an hour. I promise to text you if something goes wrong."

He looked at her, trying to figure out why she was doing this. Then he rushed up to her and hugged her. "Thank you sis, you're the best! Don't let anything happen to her."
"I promise on my life that I won't."
"I'm going to hold you to that."

He gave her a weak smile, then slipped his tennis shoes on and left. Jade took a shaky breath and went to Macy's room. Her eyes were still closed but she was petting Zelda. She kept purring and rubbing her head on Macy's hand. She even licked it a few times. That made Macy smile. "Hey, you going to wake up sleepy head? You're worrying everyone." Of course Jade wasn't expecting a response, so she was really surprised when Macy responded with, "As soon as I open my eyes the dream will end."

Jade was really confused now. She stepped closer to Macy and looked at her. She seemed really pale. What was happening behind closed eyes? Was the same thing happening behind closed eyes that happens behind closed doors? "What dream?"
"Every time something good happens it's ripped away from me."
"Macy, what are you talking about?"
"If I open my eyes my fantasy is going to disappear."
"What's your fantasy?"
"That people care about me. No one cares about me. I'm hated. There's not a single good reason for anyone to care about me."
"Those are all lies. Jem and I care about you. We love you. You are so beautiful."
"No.. that's exactly what my fantasy people would say. My own made up friends would always stick up for me. But no one likes a cutter. Everyone hates the suicidal freaks. And people think that fat kids are disgusting."
"Listen to me. Open your eyes. Jem and I are never going anywhere."
"That's what my Mom said too, you know."

Jade froze. Macy never even mentioned her Mom. Let alone said something so personal so bluntly. Jade had to pretend she was walking on eggshells right now. "What do you mean?"
"As soon as Mom found out that Dad cheated on her and Dad brought me home she left. And Dad's other broke up with him not too long after. They both left him and he started drinking. I had to grow up faster than I deserved."

Again Jade stood motionless and silent. Macy had been through way too much. She finally opened her eyes, they were full of tears. Jade rushed over to her, broken from her trance of silent stillness, and hugged her. "This is your reality now. Not a fantasy. You have Jem and me. Okay? We love you so much."
"I love you both too."