Stand Still

After the death of her twin brother, everything came to a stand still. Phoebe Tolman had lost the most important person in her life; the person who knew her better than she knew herself; and she felt like she was losing her mind.

As she enters her last year of high school she struggles to maintain her sanity as sympathy and tears are thrown in her face.

All she wants is her brother.

But when her brother's best friend renters her life, things take an unexpected turn.

♡

I want to cover my ears and I want to scream and scream and scream. I want to make so much noise that I can't hear anything over me. I want it all to stop.

But I sit and I smile, and I laugh!

I laugh.

I hadn't even noticed my nails digging into my skin until a hand slides into mine and squeezes. I look down to see Jude rubbing his thumb on me, subconsciously my shoulders release the tension they were holding.

Eventually, the conversation moved away from me and Jude leans over to whisper in my ear, "I'm right here with you. I'm here."

I squeeze his hand and offer a small smile.

I've never been so relieved to have Jude sitting next to me, and I've never felt so comforted by him.

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TW: mentions of self harm, drug usage, alcohol abuse, death, suicidal thoughts, foul language, and panic attacks