Purpose Will Surface (Compete)

chapter fifteen

when we got up the next morning, i felt complete bliss. i felt tyler next to me, his skin soft against mine. my heart felt so full and happy, beating next to his. who knew everything could change so quickly.

tyler woke up and we decided to go back to my apartment to get a head start on grabbing the rest of the boxes. as we arrived i was surprised at how empty the room was, despite just seeing it the previous night. the previous night. my happiest moments 24 hours before some of my worst moments. we carried boxes back and forth to his car, joking with each other and laughing.

"you know, i think maybe the nurses in the hospital were right, mel. i love that you seem better, but i know how it is. it might not hurt to start seeing someone," tyler said suddenly as we got back up to grab more boxes, taking me off guard. i stopped what i was doing, looking at him not even knowing how to react.

"what are you saying, tyler?" i said finally, trying to distinguish the growing rage inside of me.

"what? no nothing, i don't want to over step, but it might help-"

"what? you think i'm crazy now? that i need some shrink to help talk me off the ledge now?" i asked with disgust, the rage growing bigger. it came so quickly, so out of nowhere. this was a sensitive topic for me, i couldn't believe he could just bring it up so casually like it meant nothing.

"mel, that's not what i'm saying at all. i just mean you probably didn't have the opportunity before, but now that you have me i can help-" tyler's voice was sincere and he was looking at me with only pure intentions, but i cut him off again anyway.

"i don't need your help, tyler. i don't need your pity or your money," i spat at him, throwing down the box that was in my hands. he looked completely taken aback by my actions but i didn't care. he crossed a line.

"i'm sorry mel, i didn't mean to overstep," he said, again sincerely, beginning to walk closer to me.

"no!" i said quickly and loudly, looking at the floor and backing up so he couldn't get closer. "get away from me!"

"mel, come on-"

"no! i said get the fuck away from me!" i yelled even louder this time, kicking the box i threw down towards him, almost hitting him. he looked at me shocked, expecting an apology. i didn't budge.

"what's wrong with you?" he spat out, now throwing his hands in the air. i looked at him with disgust, not believing he could even say that to me.

"get. out." i muttered under my breath, barely audible. he sighed and walked closer to me again, reaching out to touch my arms. i snapped them back, hitting him slightly in the process. he looked at me but i didn't look to see his expression. i kept my eyes on the ground.

"mel..." he whispered, trailing off. "i'm sorry..."

"i said get out," i muttered louder, this time meeting his eyes. they were sad and full of regret, but mine were hateful. i felt nothing but anger boiling through my blood, clenching my fists so hard i could feel my nails puncturing my skin. he didn't budge. "GET OUT! I DON'T NEED YOU!"

he jumped back, completely surprised by my scream. after another moment he walked out the door, not saying anything in response. i immediately fell onto the ground in sobs, memories flooding through my head.

it was the night of my parents' accident, only we didn't know that yet. i had been having a pretty bad episode throughout the week, but after help from my mom it was finally beginning to subside. my parents were having a date night that night, feeling safe leaving me alone. of course, that took a lot of assurance from my end, but i trusted myself. my mom came into my room, looking gorgeous as always in a nice dress with her pearls. i wasn't a big jewelry person, but i loved when she wore her pearls. she had her hair nice and her makeup done, i could tell she was excited to go out. she sat down in my bed and smoothed my hair back, something that could always instantly calm me down.