Save Me

Chapter 6

*Trigger warning*

A little bit of dark stuff in this chapter. Read at your own risk.

Chapter 6

My ankles and feet ache from the constant walking, a painful reminder that it's a Friday night at the diner. I untie my apron, using my elbow to push my loose hair back from my face as I retreat into the kitchen.

Mia was here for almost two hours, either working on homework, loading up on carbs or crying into her phone to who I assume was Parker. She was seated at one of my tables, so I tried to stop by as often as I could to make sure she was okay or ask if she needed another diet Coke, but my other tables weren't as self-sufficient.

She didn't mind that I couldn't listen to her for more than a minute, continuously apologizing for being such a nuisance when in reality I liked having a sort-of friend around. Even if I didn't say anything unrelated to food or drinks, it still felt nice that she trusted me with her thoughts and feelings and wanted to be around me rather than home alone.

She told me her mom was going to pick her up after she got out of work, but most of the conversations I heard her have on the phone sounded like she was trying to talk through something with Parker. I disappeared into the kitchen two hours ago to her crying on the phone and returned to find an empty table with a forty dollar tip. I'm unsure if her mom actually picked her up since it seemed like Parker was persistent on making amends. I offered her a ride home if she stayed my whole shift, but she was adamant on not staying long.

I often close on a Friday night, but tonight's been full of surprises, so really I'm not all that surprised when I get to clock out at eight. It's not bad since I know Luke will mostly likely be long gone by the time I get home; high or drunk at one of his friends parties.

I pull a dark green hoodie over me as I step outside the diner, struggling to find my car keys buried inside my gym bag. The neon lights of the diner provide me with little light as I walk to my car, enjoying the slow pace I'm finally able to move at.

It's not often I get a Friday night off, or at least most of it, but I'm unsure what to do with it now. My only friend is Mia and she most likely doesn't consider me a friend, just someone who she knows will take her shit without comment.

I remember her sitting in that red booth, trying to use her hair to shield her tears so the families around her wouldn't know she was struggling internally. I think about texting her if she's okay or if she wants to hangout, since she gave me her number one time in biology class and I still have it.

It's painful to see someone so strong and independent struggle so openly, but I know there's a reason for it. Somewhere along the way something happened to make her lose her grip on reality and I of all people understand that struggle. It makes me wish I had the strength to use my words, not just my actions, to help her.

When I get home all the lights in the house are off except for the bulb outside the front door. I only see my mother's car in the driveway, which means both my mother and Bill are out, most likely at a work event.

If Luke's car were in the driveway, I'd consider pulling back out and calling Mia's number, but tonight I feel as though I'll be safe. He's always out on the weekends, not missing an opportunity to throw his once perfect life away for a little bit of beer and drugs.

Closing my car door sounds too loud to me and I'm unsure why when I know there's not a hibernating bear inside, ready to devour me alive. I want to rid of this fear and anxiety Luke has planted inside me that no longer needs him to grow, sprouting at random unsuspecting moments without fuel. It seems everything from loud noises to masculinity triggers a feeling of panic or fear, my defensives activating without my knowing.