Her laugh was contagious it was like pure joy raining on the roof of a car, she would throw her head back and let out cackle after cackle. At first she tried to hide it or even tone it down but the more we drove the more our giggles turned into full blown tears and laughter. We had the windows down and she definitely was taking the long way home but I didn't mind this was the best night id had in a long time. We stopped on the street and her smile melted and my lungs immediately shrank. She had a calculated look on her face and my heart started racing. "Charlie..." no nope I could not let her say the words. "Yeah no I mean I have to head home ya know feed the cat.." "You have to go up the tree." You know those shows when a record player scratches and everything comes to a halt? That's exactly what happened when I heard those words come out of her mouth. Every bit of me was completely turned around, I was fully confused. "I'm sorry you- I need to what?" She looked up with puppy dog eyes my mind was racing my heart was bursting out of my chest and my hands were completely still. "I need you...to climb up the tree. You know like you use too? My mom will kill you." "OH, oh right um.. yeah yeah sure" "Charlie?" "Yeah?" "You don't have a cat." "That is correct" I said unblinking, she let out a breathily chuckle and I started to unbuckle my seatbelt. This started out as just a fun story for my friend but has turned into a quest for truth and light this story IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCES topics of mental health, domestic abuse and other trauma is mentioned. HOWEVER there will always be a banner up to single it and a recap in the next chapter if you'd like to skip it! Thank you so much for reading :)
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