His reasons are always the same. One slap, because I was a mistake. Two kicks, because he's stuck with me. Three punches, because in his eyes I'm a disgrace, and lastly, the final knockout hit because I'm the reason why his life was destroyed.
• • •...
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" if you're out there and need help, please seek it. be proud of your valiant day-to-day struggle. there is no shame in needing support "
- Jared Padalecki
∞
"She's getting worse, Mason" I stressed as I tried to get Gemma to calm down, "please tell me you're almost here."
Usually normal panic attacks only last a couple of minutes at the most, but as five minutes passed with Gemma's state only becoming worse, I realized this was not a normal panic attack.
"We're almost there. What entrance?"
"Six!"
"We're coming." was all I heard before the line went dead.
Seconds later, the door to my left swung open and in charged the three boys. Mason hurried over to his sister, engulfing her into a much needed hug while Noah and Jackson kept their distance alongside me.
Eventually, Gemma began to calm down. Her tears decreased until all that was left was red streaks along her cheeks, her breathing (which was frighteningly irregular) evened out and she seemed extremely tired compared to her perky attitude before the incident occurred.
With her head buried in his chest, Mason looked up at me and whispered, "What happened?"
I hesitated, my eyes flickering over to Gemma. I was afraid that by bringing up the incident right after she had just calmed down from a panic attack that nearly made her pass out, she might be rendered into the same panicked state, but the look of concern (bordering on scared) on Mason's face made me cave.
"We ran into Nicole and her cousin. Nicole's cousin transferred to our school, some girl named Audrey Purcell?" I whispered back, trying to keep my voice low enough so Gemma wouldn't catch on. Realization dawned on the three of them, whoever this girl was, she was bad news.
Jackson moved and sat down on Gemma's other side while Noah and I slid down the wall to the floor across from them.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jackson asked her gently. She pulled away from Mason, revealing a red, tear stained face. She looked over at me, biting her lip; I could tell she was tired of thinking about it, but torn between talking because I had no idea what was going on.
"You don't have to if you don't want to though, Gemma," I told her sincerely.
She sighed, pursing her lips as she stares down at her lap, "Audrey Purcell is my Nicole Westwood."
