Mental

Chapter 30- Return

Uh, yeah. Sure, what's up?" I asked, trying to relieve the built up tension in my shoulders. 

"I'm not just going to forget everything and be your friend again. Madeline, I thought you had moved halfway across the world. You left me with practically no chance to even say goodbye. You were my best friend." Her voice started to get hoarse as her eyes brimmed red.

"And then, gosh, then I find out you've been less than an hour away this whole time. I never thought you'd do something like that..." She brought her hand up to her eye before catching a single tear."

"I know.. I'm sorry. I was just so.. so.. embarrassed." I choked, my voice also getting hoarse. I was so stupid. I didn't even think about how much my actions truly affected her. 

Embarrassed? I'm your best friend. We can't ever be embarrassed by something we do. Remember in 5th grade when we made up that whole stupid dance routine and submitted it to Disney Channel to try and win a disney cruise? Or how about when we would hang out at the mall and make those stupid prank videos while our parents watched us make complete fools out of ourselves. Madeline, you're my best friend. You don't ever have to be embarrassed." She reached over and grabbed my hands as I let out a small smile, the tears coming down my face falling off my chin.

"I'm really sorry, Daisy. Ugh, if I could go back and change it I would." I squeezed her hands before letting go and wiping my tears away. "I can't change the past but I'd really like to rekindle our friendship. I need you so badly right now." I laughed, a small cough escaping my lips. "Things have been so crazy and I really just need a girl to talk to." 

"Well... I think I can fill that place again. I don't completely forgive you but, I know I will." She grabbed me into a hug, pulling me practically on top of her. "But you've got to promise that there will be no more secrets between the two of us!" She pulled back slightly from our hug and stared me directly in the eyes.

"Of course. No more secrets." I giggled as she grappled me back into a hug that turned into a wrestling match. 

Once our moment had ended we raided my kitchen of a bunch of snacks before heading upstairs to watch a movie. Halfway through the movie Daisy nudges me and I look over at her. "Hm?"

"Liam filled me in on a lot but I have a couple questions..." She mumbled, sitting up further to look at me. I just nodded, popping a cracker in my mouth as she took a big breath. 
"When did you and Harry start to date? Did you break out of the mental hospital? Have you had sex with Harry? What exactly did you guys fight about that night? Will you talk to Harry ever again?" She said in one big gust of wind. 

I sat there for a moment just taking in all of the questions. Truthfully, I was completely thrown off. I thought she was going to ask questions about my time in Long Branch but it seems her main focus is Harry.

"Okay, uh, I guess we dated whenever I broke out of Long Branch and really started to spiral. Yes I 'broke out' of Long Branch with Harry's help." Her eyes widened and I could tell she had a million more questions about that. "Uh... no, we never actually had sex. Although, I'm sure people thought other wise. We got in a fight because somewhere in my mind I thought doing coke was more important than literally anything else. And... I'm not sure if I will talk to him again. I think it's better to not. We were both bad for each other." I whispered, my voice fading off.

"Wait.. you never had sex?" She questioned looking kind of dumbfounded. "Whenever I talked to Cleo she made it seem like you guys were fucking like rabbits." Daisy said, her voice sounding very uncomfortable. 

"No. We did other stuff but I could never... I don't know. We tried but ever since the whole Evan thing... I can't. I get really like, I don't kn-"

"It's okay." Daisy cut me off, her hand resting on my knee. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." In this moment I realized just how stupid my actions were. I wish Daisy would have been here the whole time. My best friend. 

"You're such a good friend." I reached over, abruptly pulling her into a hug. Eventually her body relaxed into mine. "I'll answer a million of your questions." 

"Thank god!" She sighed dramatically. "Cause let me tell you... Liam sucks with detail!" She laughed, covering her mouth. "I mean he's great but it was like talking to a wall. Oh my god how could I forget!"

She jumped up off the bed and paced around the room. "Liam and Harry got in a huge fight over you today! Are you and Liam a thing? Is that why he's been so weird..." Her fingers pinched her chin as she circled the room. 

"No, no... we are not dating. Liam and I are strictly friends. He was there for me when no one else was..." I smiled sadly, wishing I could repay him. He saved my life. 

"You're right. I never thought about that. I'm glad you're okay now Madeline. Only up from here!" She grinned, pulling me back down into the bed as we dove back into the movie. 

xx

I sat with my head resting on my palm as the teacher droned on and on about Freud and his theories. I had thought this psychology elective would've been easy and interesting... wrong.

I peered over at the clock and watched the hands tick, 5 more minutes and I'm free. I was anxious to get to work. I absolutely loved working at the bookstore. I'd been there for about a month now and they let me decorate for Halloween, I made the place look amazing.

And, because my grades and attendance have been good my mom extended my curfew to 11. My life felt like it was finally falling back into place. Like I was living the normal teenage girl life I always wanted to. I was doing well on the cheer squad and I had all good grades. I even got invited to my first ever Halloween party. And in just a month and a half it'll be Christmas break and I'll be spending it for the first time with just my mom and my brothers. No stupid step dad in the picture.  

I was pulled out of my thoughts at the ring of the bell and collected my things making a swift exit. I stopped by my locker and grabbed a couple books before making my way out of the school. I heard a deep laugh and looked to see Harry, Zayn and Louis standing with their duffel bags on their shoulders. "Hi Madeline!" Niall called out, waving.

I gave him an uncomfortable smile before glancing over at Harry, his eyes digging daggers into me. We still haven't spoken. Liam and him got in that huge fist fight and Liam made it very clear that I need to stay away from him. He was the reason I spiraled. He was my poison and if I wanted to keep my life in the upward direction it's going, I need to keep my distance. 

I snapped my head back and in a fast paced walk got over to my car. I looked back one last time, knowing I shouldn't, to see Harry staring directly at me despite the fact that Niall and Zayn were already walking away.

I got in, placing my head on the steering wheel before composing myself and driving to work. 

The store was always slow. Maybe ten customers would come in during my shift and that was considered busy. I spent most of my time organizing the books and playing around on the rolling ladder that lined the store. The manager only came to lock up at night so besides that I was all by myself. I was crouched on the floor organizing the children's fantasy section in the back when I heard the bell to the door ring. 

I slowly got up, dusting my hands off and walking to the front. I peaked down the aisles to see who had come in and if they needed any help. I stopped at the end of the romance aisle to see a taller, broad shouldered guy holding up two books. "Do you need any help?" I called out leaning on the end of the book shelf. 

He slowly turned around lifting his head to look at me and my heart stopped beating in my chest. 

"Hey."