Days to Insanity

Chapter Seven

Nate

God damn. Here we go again.

I turn off my alarm, lying back in bed. Could this be a dream? My memories are too fresh. The ice-cold slushie stung against my hand and the feeling I got in my gut when Charlie started speeding is too vivid. The sweat dripping off my forehead when playing air hockey was too vivid.

I stay in bed, wondering if I should text Charlie, then remember I don't have her number. I had put popcorn in my mouth just before we exited the room before we were sent back to our rooms to redo the day. It's not in my mouth now. Well, that makes sense. The bruises from punching Pete disappeared too.

I stay in bed for a moment, then slowly creep out of my bed, exiting my room. Everything is dark, still, quiet. It feels wrong to be awake. It feels wrong to be alive. Not after I've died twice. Is this my hell? Is this what my life has come to? All for wanting a dad?

It's not only my head that hurts now. It physically feels like my body is aching too, but that's impossible. It's been reset back to January 30th.

Making my way downstairs, I go into the kitchen and grab a glass of ice-cold water, letting the sharpness stick in my throat, walking back up and sitting down at my desk. Nothing is working. I'm stuck. I don't know what to do.

I start unpacking my duffle bag to get my mind to work. Writing down every theory I have onto a piece of paper, I don't even feel the time going by. By the time I'm back in bed, ready to put my racing thoughts to sleep, it's two.

Checking my phone, I see that Charlie's added me on Snapchat. Rolling my eyes, I go to the app and press block, turning off my phone and rolling on my side, falling asleep almost instantly.

Charlie

When I wake, I quickly open Snapchat to message Nate, but to my surprise, he still hasn't added me back. I knew he was awake. He had to be. Sighing, I quickly got ready, wearing sweatpants and a plain full-sleeved t-shirt. I'm sick of it being Rye's birthday. I'm sick of the attention being on her.

I'm sick of Finn liking her.

By the time I finish getting ready, I check my phone. It's ten to eight - way too late to tell Finn he can't pick me up. I didn't even realize how slow I was being. Dumping everything into my bag, I get into the car as soon as Finn pulls up, not bothering to eat breakfast.

Getting into the passenger seat, I sigh exasperatedly.

"Where were you last night?" Finn asks. "I know you always keep your phone on ringer."

"Must've slept through it," I manage to whisper, looking away.

"Dream?" he mumbles as he pulls out of the driveway.

I shake my head, keeping my eyes on the road. Every two minutes, I feel him turn to look at me, then return his gaze to the road. When Rye gets picked up, I begrudgingly go to the backseat, staying silent. When Sylvia enters, the three start a conversation, starting to sing Taylor Swift songs.

I rest my head against the window, shutting my eyes for a moment.

"Charlie?"

My eyes snap open. "What?" Rye's looking at me expectantly.

"You're just going to leave us hanging? It's your line," she folds her arms.

"Right," I reply, slowly starting to sing along to Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me'. As we get to the chorus, I see Rye steal a glance at Finn, who looks back at her, grinning. They have something indescribable. Something that I thought I could have with Finn. I slowly stop singing, grateful that we've finally reached school. Sylvia and Rye are the first ones to get out. When I take my time, Finn notices and does so as well.