Magnolia in May [H.S]

Part twenty-nine

tw: substance abuse

If this bothers you in any way please don't read this chapter. Take care of yourself first. <3

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Magnolia

"It's weird you just decided to call me tonight..." I blurt, breaking up the suffocation choking me. He turns his head toward my direction. Now looking me intently in the eyes. "Why?" His voice was just as defeated as before, raspy and un-grounded. But in a sense more chilled out.

I sigh, pushing the rouge pieces of hair back as I regret telling him that. "Just... this week has been kinda... rough.. So I just-" I pause "It's weird because I subconsciously needed someone to help me through it and then you just called... just odd." I ramble, my mind not even thinking before I let out the words.

Shit.

"Why has this week been rough? What happened." His demeanor flipped, like a switch. From pure spiraling to now enthralled with wanting to know why I was having a bad day... Like did he just forget he had a full blown panic attack?

"Well, me and Indie haven't talked since the other night... which just makes this more of a fucking shit week but.. I-I..." My breath hitches, my lungs trying their best to help me. But the air wafting into them was the equivalent of knifes. "Tomorrow... today.. Actually since it's early morning.. It's an anniversary..." I rant, nervously babbling on. Magnolia I swear if you say anything else..

"An anniversary?" He asks, mouth ajar as his eyes trace mine. What am I supposed to say to them?

"Uh-huh," I hum, gazing out his huge floor to ceiling window. Distracting myself with the sway of the surrounding trees. How his backyard probably smelled like pure pine. With the lack of talking I presume he wanted me to elaborate, but I wanted more than anything to keep my mouth sealed. Keep the top on all of my secrets.

My heart flutters, with nervousness. My ticks showing out in the open. Lip biting, the fidgeting with my jewelry all of the things I swore to hide from people. From him.

"Five months..." Is all I choke out, "It's.... I'm.. five months sober.." The rush of fear strikes me dead on. You did not just tell him that... I begin to feel my mind spiral, frightened by his possible responses. What if he thinks less of me now, or doesn't wanna be friends anymore? No.

-- -

Harry

She freezes in place, staring at my hands which were forcefully grabbing my folded shin. It rested against my stomach in an upright position. The singular ring on my middle finger that was lonely with the lack of the other ones. Darling tell me what's on that mind of yours.

"Sober?" My words get drowned out, her face now in-comprehensive to them.

"Sorry I shouldn't've... I should probably go..." She scrambles to push my pawing hands away. Taking herself from the floor and rushing out, I dart after her. She only makes it half way when my hand is strain against her wrist. Gripping it with death.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I give her a tender look, flicking my eyes over her face. As if it was some puzzle I couldn't wait to solve. And I couldn't, what was this thing she wasn't telling me? Why are people so secretive when it comes to her? "Uh.. I- don't" she stutters, her words stolen from the tip of her tongue. I caress her arm.

Taking her by the wrist, guiding her over to the couch instead of the carpet by the window. Gently forcing her to slump on the cushions. She pillows down on them, immediately gluing her thighs against her stomach. In comfort, resting her head between the propped up knees. "I should've just kept my mouth shut.." She mumbled, tucking her bangs mindlessly behind her ear. I cross my legs, keeping a safe comfortable distance.

"No, please don't feel like you have to hide things from me... we are... friends... Now and that means you can tell me whatever... If you want too...I won't force you either way.." Genuinely want her to believe we can talk about stuff, because we can. I couldn't care less, I wasn't the type to judge after all.

Her face disgruntled, biting at the skin of her lip. "The reason me and Indie got into a fight over Florian is because of this....." Her anxious rambling scurry's my heart strings, the unsettled look on her face that I wanted so desperately to be replaced with a smile.

"I um... wasn't in the best place.. I mean I was.. Or thought I was... but looking back at it now I wasn't..." I try to piece together the picture without asking, I'm not going to press for more information. And she doesn't seem in the mindset to wanna tell me her whole life story. But there was something up with this Florian douche, and either way I was going to find out.

"Wait but isn't that something to be proud of? Five months. That's a huge deal." I smile, admiring her face. Looking at me with uncertainty, her eyes wide like a deer in headlights. My consolation is no use, the perilessness is not wiped away.

"I guess, I mean I wouldn't be celebrating if I didn't use in the first place. It's that fact I celebrate me not being a druggie, every month rolls around and I'm reminded of the shitty things I've done. I'm reminded of how I can relapse, I'm reminded of all of the bad." I can see the emotion through her eyes, a window into a soul they say. But it's true, those brown beauties said it all. Whatever was on her mind, it showed right front in center. The pain she had been falling in, if only she'd let me catch her.

Her hands move around her face, like it was some sort of anxious thing to help distract from her mind. "Just the way my parents look at me like i'm a ticking fucking bomb, like any moment I could spiral back into it and their control freak damaged princess is gone.." My heart stings for her, because I know how she feels.

But I can't get mushy on her, not right now when we're both so fucking emotional. So I do what I think is best, masking it with humor. Trying to make this all better with some stupid joke.

"Eh, we're all a little damaged, and there's no shame in wanting control.." I show a ghostly smirk, poking her to change from worrying to being sassy with me. Cause god forbid she's anything but her normally sassy self.

"Hey, look at me.. We're all fucked up... in one way or another.. You are special Meg, but having trauma doesn't make you any less than you are." I hold her chin in the palm of my hands, she glances up at me. Now with a slight smile.

Silence is calming, refreshing after seeing her in such a state. One I wish I'd never have to see or experience again, one that I prayed she wouldn't have to go through again.

"Hm, I can't believe I came here to help, and you, your stupid little dimples helped me.." I show my full set of teeth, grinning like a lunatic. Shooting her with an obvious wink. "I have that effect." I gush, she playfully swats at me. Furrowing her brows while piercing her puffed out lips.

"Now that we've hashed out the trauma..." I stand from the comfort of the coach, holding my hand out for her properly. I wave my hand around in a fancy manner, she looks at me wearily, a smirk plastered on her tired face. I clear my throat, raising my brows at her tauntingly while shaking my head.

"Milady," She takes my hand forcefully, I drag her forward. Showing my dimples with her loud yelp. My hands tangle around her in a hug as I push us to the door.

"Come on pumpkin, let's blow this popsicle stand."

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A/N:

i know i said there would be a triple update, but i'm still working on the next chapter.
it'll be out soon!

Love you all lots! ❤️❤️