The Self-Harmed

~Welcome Back~

"What kind of person gives a bottle of sleeping pills to a person in a recovering home?""She wasn't in the suicide wing. There was a miscommunication-"

"It doesn't matter. In order to self harm, you hate yourself. Don't you think She'd kill herself the first time she got! Do you even know how many times a cutter thinks about their death?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Easton, we assure you this will never happen again."

"I could of lost my daughter. I can sue you for this!"

"Mom?" I asked, my voice failing me.

The curtain flew aside and In strode Mom, Dad on her heels.

"Where going to get you out of here." She stroked my head.

"There's a nice recovery unit on the other side of town." Dad nodded.

"No." They looked at each other. "I have a project due. Even though I'm mad at Ryder, I can't let him down."

"Ryder." Dad nodded.

"Wait, you met him?" I asked looking past Mom.

"I did."

"We both did. He was worried about you so he went to your room. He knocked on the door and heard someone throwing up. He thought it was your roommate, so he kicked the door down, and saw it was you. He yelled for help, because he's seen an over dose before. He picked you up and brought you to the front office where the medics were waiting." Mom smoothed my hair.

"What's that?" I asked.

"What's what?" Dad asked, pulling down his sleeve.

"That." I grabbed his arm, almost knocking mom out of the way to pull up his sleeve. "You cut?"

"I used to."

"That's why we put you here, Charlie." Mom smoothed my hair yet again. "So you wouldn't get as bad as we did."

"But you cut, and you starved, and you're better. You know how to take care of me, can't I come home?"

"I thought you said you had a project?" Dad asked.

"I do. But I only brought that up 'cause I don't want to go to another home. My group already knows my story, and I have friends. I only have two, but I have friends now. See look it's Clara!"

I held my arms out and Clara pushed past the male nurses and ran to me giving me a hug.

"Your crazy!" She pulled back.

"I know."

"Insane."

"I know."

"I love you!" She hugged me again.

"I know." I let her hug me. "And my nur-"

"Now is not the time to mention the nurse kid." Dad patted my arm.

Mom took deep breaths.

"We'll make you a deal." Mom said. "We'll take you home, if you want to."

I smiled.

"But," Dad said as I lost the smile. "You have to make sure you want to come home. You need to talk to Ryder first."

"I can't!"

"You have to Kiddo." Dad said, pulling his hand back. "Until then, you stay."

Mom, Dad and Clara, left the room, and I fell back into my pillows.

I was just about to fall asleep when I heard a chair scrape the floor. I opened my eyes and looked over.

"Sorry." Ryder said, slowly sitting down.

"It's okay."

"Why didn't you talk to me?" He asked. "I've dealt with Suicide missions before you know."

"They said you found me?"

"I did, Lying on the floor in your vomit."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

I looked at him. "Why didn't you let me die?"

He swallowed and blinked, then looked down, "Guess I just thought I couldn't lose someone I cared about again."

I pulled the blanket up more.

"Charlie." He took my hand, and I let him. " I haven't had a friend in two years. And then this girl comes along, optimistic, with a hint of bitterness. And I wanted to be your friend."

"Why?"

"That's the funny part." He mused with a small smile. "I have no idea."

"My parents said they'd take me home."

He nodded.

"Is that okay?" He looked at me. "If I go home?"

"Sure. Get out while you can."

"So I was thinking that Instead of us working on the project alone we'd do it together."

"Your staying?"

"You touched me when I was covered in puke. We're friends for life now."

"Good. I'd like a friend for life." He then grinned. "We could play dress up."

I laughed, "And have sleepovers."

He stood up a bit as I closed my eyes. Then he pressed his lips to my forehead kissing me twice.