Rehab, Actors & Love

A Day of Speaking

It's been about a week and Dylan hasn't said a word to me. He hasn't even tried to talk to me. Instead, if he sees me, he sends me a small smile before turning on his heel and walking the other way.

Normal people would feel weird about him turning away, but I didn't care. That's always been the reaction I get since I came to this center. After a hundred stares and countless jaws on the floor, you tend to learn to just ignore them.

I walked into Evan's office to see him awkwardly smiling at me. "I have good news for you, kiddo."

I sat down and put my hands in my lap. I nervously chewed my bottom lip as he opened my file. "Stop that," he laughed, not looking up at me.

He put my file down, finally looking up at me. "I want you to try talking today."

"Really?" I mouthed.

"Really," he smiled. "And. . ." He took his phone out of his pocket and held it out for me to take. "I talked to your mom. Her and the twins are waiting for your call."

I started to mouth something but he playfully shook his head. "Try. Right now."

I took a deep breath before shakily clearing my throat. I opened and closed my mouth a few more times. "Come on, kiddo. I know you weren't able to speak the last week, but we ran the test. I double-checked. Come on, Dells. You can do it."

"Thank you."

My eyes watered. Partly from the rough and painful feeling and partly from finally speaking after over a week. He grabbed my hand, smiling proudly at me.

"Told you," he smirked. "Now, remember to continually drink water and I will see you tonight when you give me my phone back and tell me how your brothers are doing." He smiled at me. I took his phone and couldn't stop smiling as I walked back to my room.

I looked up when I almost bumped into someone. "Oh sorry," the person gasped as he grabbed me.

I looked up, my breath getting caught in my throat when I saw Dylan looking down at me. "You okay?"

I nodded, looking away. He cleared his throat, finally letting me go. I looked up to see him hesitating something.

"Look," he said suddenly.

I bit my lip, watching him study me. His eyes widened like he suddenly remembered who he was talking to. He cleared his throat, shoving his hands into his front pockets. I look down at Evan's phone in my hand, wanting more than anything to hear my little brothers' voices.

"Della?"

We turned around to see Evan walking towards us. "Why don't you go make that call, okay?"

"Call?" Dylan asked, looking between the two of us. I bit my bottom lip when I heard Evan clear his throat, disappointed.

"O'Brien, you have a group meeting to go to, so go. Now." Evan sent him a glare. I turned around and headed back to my room to call my brothers, but not before hearing Evan threaten Dylan.

"I have told you, several times, to stay away from her."

"Why do you care so much whether or not I talk to her?" Dylan scoffed. "It's not like I'm gonna corrupt her."

"Look," Evan sighed. "Della's been through enough and I'm just trying to protect her from getting her heart broken."

"You think I'm gonna. . ."

"Yeah, Hollywood. I do."

* * * * *

"Mom finally took us out driving."