Tammi Lyn [DISCONTINUED]

xi

Sooo, we didn't go to the psychiatrist after all.

I shouldn't have forced Tammi if she really didn't like to go. Actually, I should've asked her first if she wanted some help, not me asking her if she trusted me, which I now figured out was out of the question.

I still wouldn't say we're best friends or close friends or anything like that. Maybe I was someone who wanted to help. Or maybe I was just doing it because I had nothing better to do with my time. Either way, I guess it works.

So after Tammi literally had a break down in front of me, where anyone could see us, I hefted her up to her feet and took her to a nice place that sold desserts and stuff. It was a small and cute shop with a few staff, but the business was blooming because of its design and theme.

We ate for a little while, and I didn't speak. Nor did Tammi because she was too busy eating. I, on the other hand, was stuck in my thoughts to really pay attention to anything.

My mind couldn't stop thinking about what happened.

How exactly did it all start anyway?

I was curious, but I was also scared of Tammi's possible reaction. Like I said before, I have to be careful on what I say and do around Tammi, since anything might be a trigger to any of her forty-six personalities. Not that I'm counting or anything.

"What happened?"

I was still stuck in my thoughts to really have heard her, but I snapped out of it to see her gray eyes intently looking into mine, trying to see if I would lie to her or avoid the subject entirely.

I was still chewing, but I did it faster so she wouldn't have to wait too long. That would be rude.

"At least three of them possessed you," I started carefully. "First it was Richard, then Gerry the hothead, and Athena the smart-aleck," I continued. "But it's not something you should worry about," I assured her with a small smile.

She wasn't smiling, though. Only looking down with her eyebrows together, as if she was deep in thought.

I swallowed.

What now?

Should I ask her? That would be prying too much, and she didn't need additional stress after crying.

I didn't even know what she had. I mean, sure it was fun the first time since we were both kids and my lazy self needed entertainment to keep me occupied, but now that we're older and this - whatever it was - kept happening with no signs of getting better, I knew I had to do something.

Was it depression? Social anxiety? OCD?

I couldn't tell.

Judging by Tammi's look of confusion and thoughtfulness, she didn't have a single clue either.

We both had lost the appetite for eating so we split the bill and headed home, me keeping a close eye on her in case anything else happened.

I dropped her off at her house and she gave me a little smile before she shut the front door.

Just as I was about to head to my own home, I heard a scream and some pretty loud clanging inside that made my heart rate spike and my panic to rise.

My foot stepped forward involuntarily but then I heard someone call my name.

"Denver!"

I paid no attention and was about to bolt through Tammi's front door when my shoulder was held, pretty hard.

Irritated, I slapped the hand away and turned to face someone I knew.

The anger was replaced by mild shock as I stared at my older brother George.