Problem Kid

Chapter 10

My phone was practically blowing up.
As soon as I woke up it was ringing. That's the first thing I heard when I woke up. No reassuring dog to comfort me. Nobody was there.
I wanted to cry.
I did.
I cried and cried as my phone rang and rang with calls from Jimmy and an unknown number. After a moment of sobbing into my knees, I finally picked it up.
"Everleigh where the hell are you?" Mr Gray sounded panicked as he practically screamed down the phone at me. I sigh, holding it away from my ear as he frantically waffles about how worried he was.
"Oh, hey," I turn to see Emma's head sticking up from the ladder.
"Hey," She clambers up the last few steps and falls down beside me, panting and out of breath.
"I feel like I'm gonna pass out!" She laughs before stopping, realising I had looked away awkwardly.
"I kinda already did," I laugh weakly and the phone goes silent.
"What? Where the hell are you? Everleigh!" I groan in annoyance.
"I'll be back at the entrance in 10," I try to stand however I instantly flop down.
"Fine. I'm at the play park on the climbing frame,"
"I'll be there in a minute! Stay where you are! And don't hang-" I hang up. Like hell am I dealing with him.
"Well you definitely listened to that," we laugh.
"I'm literally dying right now damn," She rubs my shoulder.
"It must be terrifying, about to go back into the ward," I turn to her, confused.
"Huh?"
"You're on the new patients board for an ED and SH,"
"But... oh holy sh-"
"Everleigh?" I hear my teacher call me from down on the ground.
"What the hell?" I throw my head over the side and yell down at him.
"Huh?"
"How did you sign me up? I know it was you!" He sighs.
"Come down and we can talk," I sigh before throwing my phone into my pocket and shuffling my body off of the side. I move halfway down the steps before I begin to feel weak. I hurry the rest of the way and fall down into my chair, my breathing heavy.
"Let's go inside and we'll talk," I growl at him, wave bye to Emma, and we head back to the entrance in silence. As soon as we are back inside and seated, I face my teacher.
"Ok... it was Jimmy who called your mum and told her. He was worried about you! You're sick!"
"No, I'm fine! He's being dramatic!"
"Anyway! She came here and is waiting in the cafe. She said she's not letting it get so bad this time and she's getting you help straight away. I had no part in it!" I sigh.
"I'm sorry. It's just... scary," he nods.
"Recovery always is. I've been there. I understand. Now, can you explain what happened?" I nod.
"Flashback. My second attempt was just like that boy. It overwhelmed me and I ran and I climbed the frame. At the top I passed out. Not because of POTS. I know it was the... anorexia... But I'm ok," he sighs.
"Jimmy was getting your mum from the cafe. He has Summer and should be back- now!" My mum rushes through the door, enveloping me in a hug.
"I know what you did, Mum. Signing me up to go in. When am I going in?" She gently traces circles in the palm of my hand.
"Tonight... at 7," I groan.
"We'll get your wrist sorted- by the way I know what actually happened- and then we'll pack and bring you back. Ok?" I look away.
"Whatever," My mother sighs.
"Here, I'll drop you guys home if you want?" I look up to see Mr Gray gently patting my mum on the shoulder and growl.
"Thank you so much," he nods.
"Jimmy, you live two streets across right?" He nods.
"I'll take you back too," he Thanks our teacher just as my name is called. I call Summer to my side as Mum pushes my chair.
"Let's get you plastered up. That's definitely a break. Can you take a seat on the bed?" I nod and move to the blue gurney, laying down and holding my arm out. My mum winces at the sight of the fresh cuts however I ignore it, instructing Summer to hope onto the bed and lay across my body. She does so simply just as the first few bandages are being placed on my wrist. I wince, my face pointed at the wall so nobody could see. Jimmy reached over to take my other hand and squeezes it. I don't move, leaving it limp in his grasp.
"What colour would you like on your cast, Everleigh? We have a stunning pink, sapphire blue, emerald green, fabulous purple?" I look up at the doctor.
"Do you have black, please?" He nods.
"Sure!" I return my gaze to the bleak white wall, focusing on a small dent in the paint. My mum tries to talk to me however I blank her out. Why would I want to talk to her? She's ruining my life!
"Everleigh, please talk to your mum. She only wants the best for you," the doctors leave, giving me a bit of time to let the cast set before I can leave.
"Will you just give me a break! I turn angrily to Mr Gray and he silences.
"Why did you do it?" Tears roll down my mum's face and Jimmy pats her hand.
"I don't want it to be like last time.... I nearly lost you. I can't loose you too," I refuse to let my tears spill, brushing Summer's fur.
"Whatever. This cast must be done now. Can someone get the doctor back in?" Mum gets up quickly, nodding and leaving the room.
"You, are a bastard," Jimmy sighs.
"I did it because I love you and I want you safe. Better," I nod, staring him the in eye.
"Because you don't want to have to deal with someone as broken and messed up as me. Well why not get one of those beautiful, perfect, skinny, smart angels that fill our school?" I roll my eyes angrily.
"Because you are the one I love. Nobody else," I mutter an 'as if' and he backs down as the doctor returns.
"You're free to go. Your mother signed the discharge forms. Be careful, ok?" I look up at his smiling, fake face with my own cold, emotionless one.
"Yeah," Summer follows me to the chair where I fall down.
"Bye, thank you," Jimmy shakes the doctor's hand as the three of us leave. I try to push myself and succeed, the fast making it slightly harder however bearable.
"Here, let's head to my car," I refuse to talk to anyone and push myself hurriedly out of the door. The other try to keep up with me and, unfortunately, succeed. With a huff, I slow down and wipe sweat from my face with a shoulder.
"Want me to push you?" My mum tries to take the handles and I move away.
"I want you to shut up and not make me go to hospital," she sighs.
"I can't do that," I speed up as we leave through the main entrance, heading towards to car which is only a small bit away.
"Ev,"
"No," Jimmy opens the door and sighs in defeat, moving to the other side of the car and getting in as I do the same in my side. Summer settles at my feet. Mum puts away my chair. I hold back tears, the pain attacking me from inside. Not physical. More emotional.
I mean, sure, my wrist aches a little but it was my insides hurting the most. I could feel the betrayal clawing at my chest, the disappointment eating me up. I tapped my leg, impatiently waiting for my mum and my teacher to get back into the car. After a moment, they do and then engine starts.
"Let's go," I mutter and we reverse out of the parking space. After a moment, we are on the road. I stare out of the window at the trees whizzing past, a green and brown blue, as Summer places her head on my knees. I can feel the pressure of tears pressing against my eyelids however I refuse to let them fall. Jimmy reaches his hand over to me however I snatch mine away. With a small whimper, he backs off. I can hear my mum trying to make conversation with Mr Gray however I'm too zoned out to focus on the words. Instead I allow my vision to blur and dissipate, not focusing on anything other than the emptiness inside.
"We're here," I am shaken out of my semiconscious state as the car freezes outside of my house. I watch everyone get out and attempt to take my bags from the boot, placing them onto my chair which they set up. I just get out and stand, walking to the front door with Summer's leash in my right hand. I reach into my pocket with my left one and take my keys out, fumbling to the keyhole which seems to be whizzing around my vision. I finally find it and unlock the door, throwing it open and practically falling up the stairs. I stop halfway up, sitting in the stairs until the dizziness calms. I then make the rest of the way up, sitting on my office chair in my room and wheeling it about as I prepare my things. I take out my large black suitcase out from under my bed, which is covered in band stickers, and open it up on top of my covers. I then reach into my drawer, taking out some underwear and clothes, throwing them into the case in an unorganised mess. I then move to the bathroom whilst holding one of my bras, finding my razor blades and hiding about 6 them in the padding. Once they are secured, I change into that bra and smirk. These nurses aren't finding those. I then return to packing, throwing clothes, books, notepads, pens and makeup into my case. I put some razor blades inside a book for the nurses to find in order to avoid their suspicion. After I'm done putting everything I need in that container, I zip it up and place it By my door. I then take out my toiletries bag and put my essentials inside. Hair wash, body wash and some moisturisers and stuff. I pack some sanitary towels and then take my favourite backpack out, putting inside my diary and phone charger along with my headphones.
"Everleigh?" I hear my mum close the door and two pairs of footsteps Male their way into the front room.
"I'm packing. Leave me alone," my mum sighs in defeat, heading into the front room as well. Summer looks up from her bed and I sigh. Before moving her out of it and placing it on my lap. I put a load of her toys and essentials inside of it, placing it by my door when I'm done.
"We're leaving in 15," I turn to see my mum at my bedroom door and nod.
"Please talk to me," I sigh.
"I know why you did it, ok mum? I understand you want me safe. You want me to be ok. I get it. I'm sorry. I'll try," I lie through my teeth and she smiles softly, holding out her arms. I rest my body against hers and she brushes my hair with her fingers.
"I'll let you pack. You want me to take the case and dog stuff down?" I nod and she takes them in her arms.
"Love you," I repeat those two words as she leaves before moving to my bathroom where I let out my tears. I gently click the door shut and pull up my sleeve, cutting in anger. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The blood rushes from the wounds and I sigh, taking a bandage from my first aid kit and wrapping them up. Gone. My sleeve goes back down and I allow myself to cry, desperate and lost tears. I didn't want to do this. I sigh as a voice calls up to me.
"Ready, Ev?" I stand, returning my room, throwing my backpack on before picking up Summer's leash and making my way down the stairs to see my mum.
"Yeah. I guess," Mr Gray pats my shoulder and Jimmy strokes me hand.
"Can I have a minute with Jim, please? Meet you guys outside?" They nod and I sit on the steps as the two adults leave.
"I'm sorry," I collapse into Jimmy's arms and he holds me tightly. I feel his own tears dripping onto my face and cry harder.
"I'm so so so sorry," I choke on my words and he rubs my back.
"It's ok. Don't be sorry. Don't be. I'm sorry. I love you," I look up at him.
"I don't know how you could ever love someone like me, but I love you too," he smiles gently, his damp face still pained.
"Jimmy... I want to be with you.  I want to be your partner. I really do I-" he cuts me off with a gentle kiss.
"Me too. But promise me if we do, it won't get in the way of your recovery?
Promise me you will still work hard to get better? Promise me you won't focus on this and instead you'll focus on your own health?" I nod.
"I promise. I love you," our lips connect again, causing me to taste the mixture of our tears on each other's lips.
"I love you too," I fall down onto his chest where I feel safe. Secure. Loved.

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EDITED