There's more to life (Adopted by Brendon Urie) | #2

#71

Song of the Chapter: Recovery by James Arthur

James' POV

"Here we are." The social worker said. Throughout the quiet 2 and a half hour drive, I found out her name was Janet and she seemed nice but I wasn't in the mood to talk so I sat in the passenger seat, quietly with my music.

I get out of the car and we walk up to the front door. An elderly lady opens with door with a smile.
"Hello you must be James, I'm Mrs King." I nod.
"Welcome I'm so sorry about your mom." I shrug.
"Are you hungry? It's almost dinner time."
"I'm ok thank you."
"Of course lets show you your room."
She ushers me up some stairs and into a small room with two single beds and two small dressers, one near each bed.
"Jack?" A boy turns around and glares at us. "Jack, this is James please make him welcome."
He huffs and turns back around.
"I'm sorry about him."
"It's fine."
"Jack I expect you to tell James the rules and please for the love of god, be nice." Mrs King turns to me. "Let me know if you need anything love, I'll just be downstairs." I nod.
"Thank you." She smiles and leaves. I awkwardly make my way over to the empty bed.

"So," I say to make conversation to be nice but I really didn't want to talk.
"Save it. Rules are simple, wake up at 6, breakfast at 6:45, school at 7:30, lunch at 1:30. Between 3-6 is time to do homework and chores, 6:30 is dinner and from 7-9:30 is free time. Lights off at 10. Any questions?" He hisses and I shake my head.
"Ok I'm going to dinner, you coming?"
I shake my head and he just shrugs and walks off. I crawl up into a ball on my bed and cry. I missed my mom, I missed Anna, Brendon and Sarah. My heart started racing and getting tighter while my breathing quickened.

From Anna: did you get there yet?
To Anna: Yep. Sorry I didn't call but I'm here
From Anna: it's ok, can we talk?
To Anna: of course x

"Hey." I hear my girlfriends voice.
"Hey." I choke out but I couldn't breathe and I was crying too much.
"Are you alright?"
"I don't know."
"What's going on?"
"I c-can't br-breathe." I sob.
"Shh it's ok you're ok it's just another panic attack. The feeling will pass I promise just listen to my voice and concentrate on slowing down your breathing."
"I-I'm sc-scared and I m-miss h-home."
"I know you do, we miss you too but it's only 2 weeks. Or 14 days. Whatever is easier for you to think about." She starts singing Truce and it calms me down and I could breathe again.

"Thank you."
"Of course."
"I hate these. I've never had them before and now I've had two in the span of a week."
"It's ok, you're going though something that messes with your mind but please promise me you'll call me if you start having another one ok?"
"Ok."
"Promise me?"
"I promise."
"Good. How are things, panic attacks aside."
"I don't know, the owner seems nice but the boy I'm sharing a room with doesn't seem too impressed that I've arrived."
"Don't worry about him, you'll be out of there soon."
"And then I get to see you." I smile and I could almost hear her smile on the other side.
"Counting down the days."

We talk for a bit until I hear the door open and I see Jack.
"You're still here." He rolls his eyes and I crawl up into a ball against the head board.
"James? Who is that?"
"Jack, my roommate. I better go."
"Alright James, call me if you need anything even at 3 am."
"You better do the same, even if I'm in another town, I still love you and care about you and want you to stay safe."
"Ok."
"You better call me if you need anything ok?"
"Yes sir."
I laugh and so does she.
"I love you Anna."
"I love you too James, talk to you later."

I smile as I hang up.
"Wipe that smile off your face, this isn't a place to be happy."
"Oh shut up, I just got here and I'm allowed to be happy."
"Why would you be happy? I heard your mother died."
I just look down.
"I was talking to my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
I nod and he rolls his eyes. He lays on his bed and plugs his earphones in.
"Where's the bathroom?"
He just points to a door and grunts.