That Which Doesn't Kill You, Just Fucks With Your Mind

Well Shit.

I slowly turned around to face the voice from behind me. Miles grinned and his slightly graying hair had a leaf in it. I chuckled and slipped off the swing gracefully to remove it from his hair. He laughed and rolled his eyes.

"What I get for becoming a gardener." We laughed and he smiled. "What happened to lunch?" His Scottish accent brought a smile to my face, remembering all the times he was my playmate as a child.

"I fell asleep and when I woke up I forgot! I'm willing to sit with you as you eat."

"Ah, alright." He motioned for me to follow him and we walked up the steps. My father set his sandwich down for him and a cup of lemonade, just as I had. After taking a few silent bites, he looked at me.

"So tell me 'bout yourself, young lady. And boy problems?" He winked and I laughed loudly and rolled my eyes.

"Oh plenty... Remember Ricky?" Miles's eyes rolled back as he thought. When he remembered, his face lit up and he nodded.

"That 'ol lad. What are you doing with him?" I shook my head. "Oh you're not?"

"Not yet anyways... See, I met his best friend and started dating him. But then Ricky told me he still loves me. Chris got jealous and saw us kiss... I don't know who to pick."

Miles nodded fast and put down his plate. He turned to face me and grabbed my shoulders lightly. "In Scotland, we have this thing. You can't pick, fuck 'em. Well it's not really a thing in Scotland but it is in America, I've found."

I laughed and hid my face. "What?!" I asked in disbelief.

"I've seen it on your American television. Those drama bombs, where a girl is confused. She fucks them both and finds out who she loves most by how they treat her." I shook my head fast.

"You mean 'The Bachelorette'? No way Miles. No way. But thanks for your help." I laughed and helped him up from the steps. We walked inside and he left to go for a nap but I was still giggling. There was no way I would be having sex with them both. Especially since I wasn't sure if I was still Chris's girlfriend.

I had busied myself with sorting though my room. I was shuffling through a box of old papers I kept, best friend letters between Claire and I, good graded report cards and even terrible ones I kept from my parents. I had gone through the whole box when I saw a piece of paper sticking out from underneath a flap. I slipped it out and read it.

"Sorry I had to leave. I didn't want my mom to find me gone and get grounded again. Last night was the best... I hope we make these last few days together count. I promise I'll see you when I can. I love you.

Love,

Ricky"

A smile appeared on my face as I thought about the dream I had earlier. It was like my mind was trying to convince me that I wanted to be with Ricky. But in all honesty, I wasn't sure. I sighed and threw on my boot, since one leg was still incapable, and grabbed my bag and my mom's keys. She gave me a look and glanced down at my leg. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Mom I'll be fine." She smiled thin and nodded her head. I shuffled my way out to the Mercedes and plugged in my phone. I turned up the volume and Corey Taylor's voice calmed my nerves instantly. "Think I need some time alone." I made my way to the strip and parked the car far, far away. I walked down the street and stared up and the big signs and bright lights. Hell, it wasn't even six o'clock and Vegas was already partying.

A drunk woman stumbled over to me and caught my shoulder to keep from falling. I smiled politely and peeled her sweaty hand off me. No wonder I hated this place, I thought and chuckled. I finally found what I was looking for and walked in. The bell chimed and a orange haired girl with dark eyebrows and huge eyelashes looked at me.

"Blaze is that you?!" She ran over to me and hugged me tight. "What happened to your leg?"

"Hey Isabel. And I got in a car accident. I was wondering, can you fit me in for a tattoo?" She grinned at me and looked back. She pursed her lips and faced me again.

"Come back tomorrow? We're kind of packed." I nodded and kissed her cheek.

"I'll be back no worries."

"Great. I miss you! We need to hang out soon."

"Agreed!" I smiled and waved before I left again. I limped my way back to the car but before I could, a group of guys walked towards me.

"Hey Bambi, where you going?" Some rancid man spoke and I gagged at the sound of his voice. I limped faster to the car and tried to open the door but the same man put his hand over the lock. I looked his square in the eyes before decking him in the crotch and elbowing his face. His friends ran towards me and I jumped in the car, peeling away and not worried about if I hurt anyone. I sped down the strip and made my way home again.

I pulled into the driveway and parked the car in the garage. I sighed a stressful breath and walking into the living room. I could hear mumbling and I squinted my eyes and strained to listen.

"Oh, sounds like she's back." My mother whispered and I could hear the shuffling of people moving and I cautiously stepped into the room. Eight pairs of eyes looked at me and six of them were covered in dark makeup.

"Shit..." I whispered before Chris ran over and picked me up into a bear hug.

"Blaze! I missed you so much." My shaky arms hugged him back but my eyes were still wide. My face felt cold as I looked a Ricky from across the room. His face was calm as he remembered everything about the house and I caught a small smile before everything went black.