4 Months Later
It's my discharge date and I'm scared. Scared to leave the place I've been in for so long. Scared to go back into the life I've been suffering in for so long. Scared to face the world. Scared of it all. That's why I'm crying as I pack my bag. That's why, as I take my posters and lights down, Summer alerts me for a panic attack. That's why I sit down and begin crying. That's why I take a secret blade and cut my wrist after almost two months clean. That's why I hide it. I had my body check this morning. Nobody will know.
"Hey baby!" I throw the blade into my pocket as Jimmy opens the door, hiding behind the curtain and tugging down my sleeve before opening it and smiling.
"Hey! I'm all packed," I anxiously scratch my hand as he walks over to me taking them both in his and stopping me with a gentle kiss on the lips. I turn and fall into his arms.
"I'm going back to school tomorrow," I blurt it out.
"What? No. Take some time!" I shake my head.
"I've had all the time I want and need. I want to go back. Please. It's what I want. I'm only doing it because I'm sure. Being home with nothing to do will only hurt me more," He sighs and nods, his hands clasped around my body, resting at my waist as my body leans back against his. It's 3.20pm. Only 20 minutes until I leave. I'm terrified. I ask him to get me a bottle of water, instantly going to the bathroom and looking in the mirror. I hate the sight. I've gained weight. My stomach sticks out and my thighs almost touch. My arms feel like tree trunks and my face looks full. I hate the sight. I stare at myself. I'm wearing a pair of black ripped jeans and a black and white long sleeved shirt with a small star logo on the left breast area. It looks cute. I move away, settling on my bed where Summer now sleeps.
"We made it girl. We're going home," she slowly opens her eyes to lick my hand before dozing back off as I brush the fur in her neck with my fingertips.
"I'm back baby!" I smile as Jimmy waltzes into the room and throws a water bottle at me.
"Thanks babe!" I chug half of it just as my mum and Mr Gray enter the room with Jessie.
"Honey..." I smile at my mum, who I haven't seen in half a month, before running up to her and hugging her.
"I'm sorry I didn't visit a lot... it scared me... but you look so much healthier now! I'm so proud!" I cry into her shoulder.
PFT... healthy? She means fat. She's disgusted to even touch you!
I push the intrusive thoughts away as they tell me to do bad things.
"I've signed the discharge papers. Everyone has except you! You ready?" I nod at Jessie, taking the pen as Mr Gray places a comforting hand on my shoulder and another on my Mum's. I scribble my name down twice before handing the papers back and smiling.
"Well... that's it! You can go early!" Jessie is in tears as she takes back the paper and I begin to cry too, my dark makeup smudging.
"I love you! Thank you so much for being so amazing!" I already read her a speech in the whole clinic meeting two hours ago however I keep repeating those words as I cry in her arms.
"I love you too! You're my little fighter! Keep going, love. Never let anything break you down. You're amazing," I smile through my tears, pulling away slowly and calling Summer to my heel. Mr Gray takes the dog bed full of her stuff as my mum takes my suitcase and Jimmy, my other bag. I sit in my chair, placing Summer's bag on the back of the chair. My hand is out of the cast, and has been for a long time, so I'm able to wheel myself easily out of the door and past the waving people towards the first door leading to the exit. Tears fill my eyes as I see everyone except the person I wanted there the most... Emma...
I know she would have been there if she could have but two months ago, Emma lost her battle. She tried and tried to fight but gave up too quickly. She died on the 2nd of November at 2.03pm from heart failure as I say by her side, holding her hand and whispering to her as she went. Her last words 'I'm sorry. Tell everyone I love them. Keep fighting. I love you'
I cried for days in bed, barely able to get up. The only thing that made me drag myself out of bed to eat and make it through my day were those words and the desperation in her voice as she told me I had to recover. And I did. For her. I begin to cry seeing an empty spot right at the front where I knew she would have been. I miss her however the once everyday tears have faded and I'm able to make it through the day without crying. I still think of her and I always will however the memories are treasure to me and give me happiness.
"It's ok, Ev. She's waving down at you now," Sam can tell why I'm crying and he points up at the sky as we leave the hospital. I smile brightly.
"You're right. I'm going home. She'd be so proud..." I wipe away my tears.
"She IS so proud," Mum wipes her own tear away as we halt beside Mr Grey's car and she begins packing my stuff. I'm instructed to sit in the back left hand side passenger seat as they pack my things up and I do so, Summer at my feet. They sit down in their own seats after a moment and we begin to drive.
"So.... how are you feeling about coming home?" My mum attempts to break the silence and Jay reaches over to me, his hand covering mine.
"I guess excited," I shrug, anxiety filling my body.
"I missed you. We all have. We're glad you're going to be back! Are you sure you don't want some time off school first?" I shake my head.
"No, Mum. I just want to go back to normal..." she nods with a sigh.
"Ok, baby..." I shake my head. That's Jimmy's nickname for me. I don't comment and he leans over, kissing my cheek gently. I squeeze his hand as Summer lays her head on top of them.
"Oh my jinxx!" I gasp at the large banner across the front of the house which sticks out with letters in rainbow colours saying 'Welcome Home Ev!'. Tears fill my eyes.
"You guys..." they smile.
"Come on, let's go inside!" I nod and shake my head at the chair, standing up straight as Summer settles into heel at my left side. I tug my sleeve down which has raised slightly when I notice Jimmy staring at the freshly clotting wounds. He stares into my eyes worriedly but I whisper 'talk later' and he nods.
"Alright! We've got your stuff!" I take my backpack from Mr Gray, ignoring his protests and dropping Summer's leash to take my suitcase in the other hand. The bend of my sore arm makes me wince and I hope nobody notices, turning away and walking towards the house. Mum catches me up, unlocking the door and turning the light in to reveal multiple people who all scream 'surprise!' At different times,' out of tune. I burst out laughing and crying at the same time, dropping my belongings and pulling my hands to my face where they cover my mouth in shock, a grin across my lips and tears streaming from my eyes.
"Grandma!" I sob, running over to my Australian relative who sits here, on our sofa, in England. I hadn't seen her in so long! I fall into her arms crying and she hugs me tightly before I turn to see my aunt standing next to her with my 7 year old nephew at her side. I envelope him in my arms as my aunt does the same to me before moving to my old friends from the other side of the world. We all cry, emotion overflowing from our eyes.
"I love you... I love you all!" I cry, feeling dizzy and noticing Summer pawing at me.
"Ah great... you're gonna pass out in 10 so let's all get a drink and I'll head upstairs," I laugh at Rachael, my best friend, whilst hugging Jayna and Meghan at the same time, their parents smiling at me from behind them.
"Sounds good!" I smile and follow them into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of coke just like the others. I take a small sip, anxious. With a small shake of my head, I push the thoughts away, reaching down to take off Summer's harness as some music begins to play in the background at a medium volume. Perfect Weapon by Black Veil Brides begins to play and I laugh, dragging the girls into the front room with me and laughing as we all begin screaming along with Andy and start dancing. We all sing the normal parts together, well, more like shout! The girls stay silent as I do the screamo and by the end, we are sprawled out on the floor laughing. Summer gets into DPT position so I presume I'm going to pass out. The girls notice and begin having a calm conversation about school with me as I slowly fall unconscious. Thankfully it doesn't last long as soon enough I'm awake again and the girls are in the same spots on the floor around me. With a small grin, I open my eyes.
"Heyyyy," I murmur groggily and Rachael turns to me.
"Hey shista!" I laugh.
"Let's get drunkkkkk!" I sit up and notice Meghan waving a case of non alcoholic kopparbergs in the air. With a laugh, I reach over and take one of the strawberry and lime cider bottles from the case, catching the bottle opener thrown at me by Jayna who has already cracked hers open. I chug a quarter of it, laughing with the girls and joking as Green Day plays in the background.
"Guyssss, imma socialise, ok? I'll be back soon!" They laugh and wave as I take my drink and stand, moving into the kitchen where most people stand. I notice Mr Gray- Sam- in the corner with his arm around the waist of a man, about the same age as him, with short brown hair and a broad smile on his face. At his side is a little girl aged roughly 10? I smile as she waves at me, tapping her father on the hand causing him to look at me. Sam instantly waves me over.
"Everleigh! Meet my husband, Jack and my daughter, Maya!" I smile, shaking Jack's hand and waving at Maya who instantly begins talking to me.
"Hello! I have heard all about you! My daddies talk about you so much! I love your hair and your makeup is so pretty and your doggy is amazing and so smart and you look like a princess of darkness and so so so beautiful!" I laugh as she hugs me, gently hugging back.
"Thank you! Your hair is beautiful too and you are just so adorable!" I crouch down to her level, smiling as she plays with her two plaits. Her clearly naturally puffy hair has been compressed into two cute plaits on either side of her face, tied with small blue and white polka dot ribbons. She wears a matching dress with white tights and small silver ballet pumps. She thanks me, blushing and clinging to my hand as I stand up.
"Hey, Everleigh!" Jack smiles at me and I nod.
"Hey! It's so nice to meet you! You guys are such an adorable family! Beautiful!" They smile, Sam pulling Jack closer to him before pecking his cheek.
"Thanks, Ev! Do you like the party?" I smile at Sam, bidding.
"I love it! Who planned it?" He blushes.
"It was mostly your mum and Jimmy..." Jack nudges his partner.
"And you!" He sighs. And I hug him.
"Thank you so so so much. To all of you!" I turn to my mum who stands in front of us with Jimmy smiling by her side.
"Thank you guys!" I hug her tightly before kissing Jimmy quickly on the lips. He squeezes my upper arm and I hug him.
"Love you all!" I wave and move around, saying hello to many of my mum's work friends and colleagues before stopping by the food bar where I take a small handful of ready salted potato chips and 3 chicken nuggets along with a mini pizza slice and 2 cheese and pineapple skewers before sitting back with my friends who are laughing with eachother.
"Heyyy! She's back!" I laugh as Jayna hugs my leg before allowing me to sit properly.
"Yesss I am!" I send Summer off to play and she barks once before rushing into the crowd.
"YOU CAN PET HER IF YOU WANNA, EVERYONE!" I call out so people know and everyone laughs.
"So, who's he, a distant cousin? He's cute!" I notice Meghan nod towards Jimmy and I punch her arm playfully.
"He's mine so don't you dare even try for him," I laugh with her as all the girls beg for more information.
"Well... I've been dating him for months now," they all lean in closer.
"He's the one I met in school, Rachael, who I told you about when I first joined it. He's called Jimmy and I love him..." they all 'aww' as I blush.
"HEY! JIMMY!" I push Rachael over as she calls him, causing him to turn and begin walking over with a small, adorable smirk on his cute little face.
"RACH!" I cry out as all the girls laugh. She stands, calling the others up too.
"We year you're now the proud partner to our girl," He nods.
"That's right! Proud to be her's," I flush red, standing and allowing him to wrap an arm around me.
"I like you already, we're gonna get on. But just know, if you hurt her then I will get a plane back to England myself and cut your manhood off personally, ok?" Jimmy nods, laughing.
"Oookay! Definitely never gonna mess with you guys!" They laugh as he kisses my cheek, smothering us in a group hug.
That's how we spend the rest of the night, dancing, partying and celebrating before darkness takes over the sky outside and people begin to head off, each one giving me a hug individually until the only people left are the girls, my mum and Jimmy.
"Bye girls! We'll get you in the morning! Welcome home, Ev!" I say goodbye to Rachael, Meghan and Jayna's parents before they leave.
"We get to stay the night before going home tomorrow! Our flight leaves at 9am though so we leave here at 6 with our parents... let's go!" I turn to Jimmy.
"You staying, babe?" He nods.
"Of course. The first chance I get to fall asleep with you in my arms after all this time, I'm taking," I blush and snuggle into his chest. I look around the room noticing only a few bottles left on the table from the girls and I. Everything else had been cleared away by myself, Jimmy, the girls, Sam and my mum earlier.
"I'm going to bed guys. You're gonna be in your room, ok Ev? I put out the spare mattresses and stuff. There are a few surprises there too..." I thank her with a massive hug and kiss, repeatedly telling her I love her before she heads upstairs.
"Right girls, drinks are in the fridge. You can take ONE bottle of WKD Blue EACH under the instruction of your parents. Jimmy... I didn't talk to yours because of the situation but of course you can have one if you want. They don't need to know," she winks and I laugh, waving as she heads up the stairs.
"You guys get drinks! Jim and I are gonna let Summer out quickly!" They nod and I lead him outside with me, calling my dog to go too.
"Home?" I look at him worriedly as we lay cuddled up on the swinging chair in the dark yard. I stare at Summer's silhouette as it cuts through the dark shadows.
"I'm not... staying at home right now..." I turn to him.
"Why, baby?" He sighs.
"My dad left. He was having a affair. My mum kicked me out after she began drinking. My brother moved out to university now anyway and wants nothing to do with me so your Mum has had me saying here... I've slept in your bed... I hope you don't mind. I was going to have the sofa but your mum knew I was missing you and it made me feel closer to you like I could still snell you and I just.... I missed you..." tears roll down his face and I throw myself onto him, my lips colliding with his.
"I...love...you..." I manage to say in between kisses.
"I love you too baby..." we stand slowly, me being slightly dizzy from the kissing.
"Let's go inside. We've been a good few minutes," I laugh and we walk inside to see the girls on the sofa with a bag of chocolate raisins.
"Heyyy! Mine!" I grab them and race upstairs, Summer chasing after me along with the laughing girls and Jimmy who throws me down onto my bed and steals them from me, kissing me quickly before pouring a handful into his mouth.
"I. Do. Not. Like. You." He apologises sarcastically, biting half of one and feeding me the rest of it as my friends laugh before stealing the bag and causing him to release me and all of us to chase him around the room. Summer jumps about excitedly and I tackle Jayna to the floor as she steals the bag causing all of the bag of treats to spill out onto the carpet. For a moment we freeze before laughing and picking them up, instantly eating them.
"We... are... disgusting!" I choke out between laughs. For once I can eat without too many bad thoughts and it's amazing.
Summer just stares at us, seeming amused, knowing not to touch the food.
"Okayyyy let's settle down!" I throw my body across the bed, sitting up as something under the covers digs into my back.
"Owww!" I throw open the cover to reveal bags and boxes of various American, Australian and British treats and drinks on the bed. We shriek in happiness, laughing as the girls instantly open everything.
"THANKS MUM!" Rachael yells and we hear my mum call back from the other side of the wall.
"HAVE FUN GIRLS!" I sit back and gulp, thinking of the calories until Jimmy rubs my hand and nods to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I tug a smile back onto my face and lean in, joining in the fun and trying some Swedish Fish with the others, laughing and smiling along with them like old times all over again....
YOU ARE READING
Problem Kid
Teen Fiction[NEW CHAPTERS RANDOMLY RELEASED] ⚠️⚠️18+ due to mature themes⚠️⚠️ Everleigh has never had a normal life. After losing her father as a young teenager, she fell into the painful routine of self harm and eating disorders, repeatedly checking in and out...
