Chapter 4: Gotta Be Somebody
Charlie was relieved to hear that everything was figured out for his girlfriend. He was a nervous wreck those few days for her and he knew that he was the one who made her feel calmer about all of it. They had grown a special bond over the past few months. He knew she was very independent, but he worried about her a lot. She had once called him at midnight, after a particularly bad fight with her mother, and he listened while she told him what had happened, and then talked her off the edge until she was calm again. They had talked until three that morning, and he had almost fallen asleep on the phone. Donna, Charlie had learned, was a very sensitive girl. At first glance, she definitely didn't seem that way, but once you got to know her, she was fragile and seemed to break night when they had talked on the phone until three, Charlie saw a side of Donna he never expected to see. She had told him all of her family issues, of which there were many, and she was in tears most of that phone call.
Her mother and father had divorced when she was five, and she was left in the custody of her mother. Her mother had been an alcoholic at the time, but soon after got treatment. Her father was absent most of the time after the divorce, and her grandmother lived with her while her mother went to rehab. Her mother was in rehab for seven months and her grandmother wasn't very attentive to her. Donna had grown bitter to her mother for leaving her for all those months, and didn't know how to project her feelings to her mother. They eventually made up when Donna was nine, as they had a long talk one night and were able to forgive eachother. Donna still had bitter feelings towards her mother, though she became better at hiding them. She took them out at the people at her school instead, and she lost many friends due to her actions. Her mother signed her up for therapy, which helped Donna work out many of her emotional problems.
Charlie, even after hearing this, still loved his girlfriend for who she was. It made him love her even more, maybe, because she was comfortable with opening up to him. She told him that she'd never told that story to anyone, so he knew she was special to her and her to him. He was not even thirteen yet, and she wasn't even twelve. What did they know about love? . They were too young to get too serious, but maybe it was fate that they had met. He had never clicked with anyone so quickly and so right before. Donna wasn't someone who fell head over heels for guys, either. She'd confessed to him that before they had met, she hadn't ever had a crush on anyone He didn't know what to make out of their relationship. He loved her, yes, but they weren't even teenagers. He didn't want to break it off with her, either, in fear of breaking her heart. He wanted to escape the inevitable "You're too young for this" from the others looking in at their relationship. They had found each other, perhaps by fate, but they were in love.
Charlie was contemplating this one Sunday morning. He was up early, as always and hadn't talked to her in a while. He knew it was around ten AM her time, so he called her.
"Hey, Charlie. I've missed you,"
"You, too. What are you doing?"
"Nothing, just reading for school. It's boring, I'd much rather talk to you."
"Yeah, me too. So, I really miss you."
"I do, too. You should come out here for my birthday."
"I would love that."
Charlie smiled listening to her girlish giggles. He never would've imagined that he could make a girl laugh, especially not a girl like Donna. He loved her so much, every single part of her.
"What time is it there?"
"Seven. I couldn't sleep."
"You're up so early. Weirdo."
He laughed. "How's it going?"
"Okay. My mom's been acting weird lately, and I think she may be drinking again. I'm worried about her."
"I'm sorry, Donna. Is there anything I can do?"
"Don't leave me, Charlie." Donna's voice said in a tone that was not Donna-like at all. It sounded rapsy and he could tell she was almost crying.
Charlie knew this feeling all too well. She was thinking that Charlie was too good to be true and that he was going to leave her. He didn't want her feeling this way, because he knew hou much it hurt when it was true.
"I won't, Donna. You're my girl. I love you,"
"I love you, too. I really wish you were here. I would never let you go."
Charlie sighed. He knew she was hurting. He wanted to be there and take her in his arms. She was too young to have to go through all of those family issues alone. Her mom was an alcoholic, her father was absent, and he didn't know where the rest of her family was. She needed him, and he wasn't going to leave her, ever.
"I have to go," Donna said. "I miss you. I love you."
"Same here. I'll talk to you later."

Donna POV:
I went into the kitchen to find some breakfast. I was honestly worried about my mom. She wasn't awake yet and she was normally up by eight at the latest. I found a box of waffles in the freezer and heated them up in the toaster. I ate them and then I went into my room and watched TV. I was looking forward to seeing Charlie again, and I hoped that he would be able to make it for my birthday. I needed someone that I could believe in and he was that someone.
My mom stumbled into my room. "Morning, sweetheart. What time is it?"
I eyed her warily. "Like, ten thirty. Mom, have you been drinking again?"
Mom scoffed. Why would you think that?"
"Because you've been acting weird lately and you're sleeping in."
"That doesn't mean anything. I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry about me, okay?"
"I guess so. Are you sure you're alright?"
Mom nodded. "You worry too much," She said.
That wasn't true at all. I never worried about anything, unless I had a good reason to do so. I nodded again, though, to make my mom believe I was fine with whatever she was doing. I called my friend, Jenna, to see if and she wanted to go the park or something. I was really mad at my mom and I knew she was lying to me. I knew that I'd catch her drinking or drunk and it would be a big fight between us, it was inevitable. I wanted to avoid her for as long as possible, so i went to the park.
While we were there, we saw some kids from school. They thought that I was mean and weird, so we didn't talk all that much. I really hated them. Anyways, I was telling Jenna about me and Charlie and how he said that he loved me. Some of the idiots from my school overheard and made their way over. They asked me about Charlie, and I decided that I wasn't going to not tell anyone about him, so I told them about him. They laughed and one girl, Anyliese said,
"Psh, Who'd love you? This dude isn't real. Stop lying."
I started to feel angry. "Don't talk about him that way. He is real. We met in the airport. Don't you think I'm lying."
Anyliese scoffed. "Oh, sure. Found true love in an airport, did you? You have no idea how desperate you sound fight now. Weirdo."
I started to breathe deeply, which was a technique my therapist taught me to control my anger. I did have anger issues, and I had to learn how to control it. I hadn't gotten really mad at anyone in long time, and it just overcame me so quickly, it was a surprise.
"He is real." I said, gritting my teeth. "His parents are divorced and he is an only child. His birthday is November 16th. That's when he turns thirteen."
"You really had this all planned out. Fake birthday, fake parents. Wow, you're even more pathetic than I realized."
Jenna saw my face getting red and tried to pull me away, but I wanted to get things straight.
"Don't you talk about him. He is real and I don't care whether you believe it or not. Got it?"
Anyliese nodded, clearly intimidated. I walked off with Jenna, who looked surprised. Not many of my friends had seen me mad, but when they did, it was hard to explain. I hated that part of me. I hoped that that side of me wouldn't come out with Charlie, Grace, or Spencer around. Jenna and I went back to her house. I told her about my mom.
"Man, that sucks. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too. It's just that it's hard to know who I can trust in this world. I feel lke there's nobody that I can trust to be there constantly for me. I mean, except for Charlie. I can trust him to be there, no matter how far away he is."
Jenna nodded. "I'm here for you, too."
I smiled even thought I wasn't sure I believed her. When you've grown up with a life like me, you have trust issues.
"Thanks." I said anyways.
We watched a movie and I went back to my house around nine PM. I wasn't ready to get into a massive fight with my mother, even though I knew it was what had to happen. I found her in the kitchen with a bottle of wine in her hand. She obviously hadn't heard me come in, or I would've walked in on her, desperately trying to hide the bottle.
"I thought you said you were fine." I said icily.
My mother looked at me. 'What are you doing home so soon?"
"Um, this is my house. I'm sorry, Did you want me to stay out all night so you can drink yourself to sleep?"
My mother narrowed her eyes at me. "Don't you talk to me like that."
"It's true, isn't it?! That's what you were going to do if I hadn't come home. You promised me you were fine. How do you think it felt to know you were lying to me?!"
"It isn't your place, Donna. I am the mother and if I thought I was in trouble I would talk to someone. But I'm fine."
"No you're not, Mom. I need you around and I don't want to be living with a drunk. Get yourself together."
I walked out of the room and ran upstairs. I really hated my mother sometimes, but I did need her to provide for me. It was ridiculous. Grace called me, which I was thankful for.
"Hey." I said.
"Hey, how are you?"
"Truthfully?"
"Yeah. Why, what's wrong?"
"My mom is drinking again. She lied to me this morning, said she was fine. It makes me so mad."
"I'm sorry. But I have big news."
"What?"
"I'm going to be visiting over there next week."
"Really?! Why? That's great!"
"Well, I'm a junoir in high school, so I'm going to tour collages over there. So I can be close to you."
"Holy crap, Grace do you know what I just realized?"
"What?"
"If you move out here, we can live together. You can get an apartment and I can live with you."
"Maybe. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that. I gotta go. Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up and I went downstairs and saw my mother passed out on the couch. I didn't know why, but at the sight of that, my ears began to brim with tears. I went back upstairs and dialed Charlie.
"Donna? Are you okay?"
"No," I said, the tears spilling out and onto my cheeks.
"What happened? Do you want to talk?"
"I was right, Charlie. She's drinking again. She freaking lied to me and then I just saw her passed out on the couch."
"Are you mad at her?"
"Yes, but I'm also worried about her. She doesn't seem like my mother. I need her, though, Charlie. What should I do?"
"She needs to go to rehab, Donna."
"No! She can't because then I'll be forced to stay with my dad."
'Donna, this is what your mom needs. We'll figure out where you'll go later. Your mom is in trouble."
"I know but it's just hard to accept."
"Donna, you know that I'm always here for you. My dad said you're more than welcome to stay here. You have a family. You always have somewhere to go, alright?"
"Okay. So what do I do to get her to rehab? I'm alone here right now."
"Right now just go to sleep, alright? You need to relax. I'll call you in the morning. I love you."
"I love you, too."
I hung up my and decided to take a long shower. It was what I always did when I was stressed. I got ready for bed and tried to fall asleep I got a text from Charlie.
Charlie: love you. I miss you. We'll get through this together.
Me: I hope so. Ugh. I hate this.
Charlie: Go to sleep, Donna. I'm worried about you.
Me: Don't be. It's not like this hasn't happened before.
Charlie: Well, I am, so go to bed.
I smiled and turned off my phone, in hopes of falling asleep.

I woke up in the morning to a banging on the front door. My mother, not surprisingly, hadn't moved from her spot on the couch. I opened the door and there stood Grace. She looked tired, but relieved.
"Hey," She said.
I hugged her tightly and brought her inside. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
"You tell me. Charlie called me last night at midnight my time and told me that he was rely worried about you. I knew that I was already worried, but that sent me over the edge with worry. I grabbed my credit card and booked the next flight out here."
I smiled. "Grace, you have no idea how much this means to me. Just come upstairs."
I led Grace to my room. She listened to me vent for about an hour and then looked me in the eye.
"Donna, this sounds so awful. I'm going to help you get both you and your mother through this hard time. My mom said that she'll fly out here so I can be here with you. My school knows I have a family emergency and is giving me slack on all my work."
I looked at Grace and realized how much of a sister she really was to me.
"Thank you." I said as I hugged her.
"No problem. Should I call my mom and tell her to come here?"
I nodded.
Grace grabbed her cell phone and I texted Charlie.
Me: Grace is here. Thank you. I really did need someone here.
Charlie: I'm glad she could make it. I wanted to come, but my dad wouldn't let me. R u ok?
Me: I will be soon.
Charlie: Ok. Well I love you. Txt me later.
Me: Love u. Ok.
I slid my phone into my pocket as Grace came back in.
"My mom's coming. Do you want me to make breakfast? You look like you haven't been eating lately."
"Sure." I said, realizing the last real meal I had was two days ago and I was actually pretty hungry.
We went into my kitchen and Grace started making an omelette for us. I watched her, amazed.
"What?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing. It's just that my mom never makes me breakfast."
Grace smiled. "Well, I can teach you to make an omelette, if you want,"
"Sure."
I got up from my spot at the table and Grace taught me how to make an omelette. I heard some sounds from the living room and I saw my mother stirring.
"Good morning," She said as she saw me. She walked into the kitchen and saw Grace.
"What is she doing here?" My mom asked, turning to me. It was a tone that I had never heard from her.
"She came here to help. I think you need to go to rehab."
My mother put in a pained smile and turned towards Grace.
"Can I talk to Donna privately?"
Grace glanced at me briefly before nodding. She left the kitchen and my mother turned to me.
"Donna. I told you that I was fine. I don't need your friends here to help me. I don't want help and I don't appreciate it."
"Mom, I know you don't think you need help, and I didn't ask them to come. That's the great thing. Grace came here because she knew we were in trouble. I want you to get better and I want you to be around for me."
"Dammit, Donna. I don't need you to help me. I am a grown woman and I can take care of myself."
"You passed out of the couch with a bottle of wine in your hand. Don't you think that just might worry me?!"
"You don't need to be worried, Donna. That's the thing! I don't want anyone to see me like this."
"Why? According to you, you're perfectly fine. I should invite all your friends over for a big party the next time you pass out on the couch."
My mother glared at me. "Listen. I am the mother in this situation and I don't need you to tell me how to live my life."
"Whatever, mom. Just don't send Grace home. I need someone here that I can trust." I left the kitchen and met Grace in the living room.
"Let's get out of here." I said.
Grace and I left the house and went to iHop, since Grace didn't get a chance to finish making her omelette.
"I heard your mom yelling. It sounds like she doesn't want me here."
"I don't care. I want you here and I need you here."
Grace looked at me pointedly. "Donna, I want to be here for you. You know that I do. But, honestly, I don't know if it's the best thing right now. "
"My moms being a brat. I don't care whether she likes you being here or not."
"Donna, do you really think that this is what your mom needs?"
I shook my head. "But I hate things being so tense between us. I need you here, Grace. It's going to be hell on earth if you're not here. Our fights can get really bad."
Grace nodded. "I'll stay if you really feel like you can't get on without me. I just want what's best for both you and your mom. I'm not trying to be mean or anything."
"I know. I mean, you probably know what's better. If you think it's best to leave, then leave."
Grace looked at me. "I want to support you, Donna. I think that I'm just going to stay and maybe my mom can help when she comes. You know, talk some sense into your mom."
I nodded. "That makes sense. Do you know when she's going to get in?"
"No, but she's gonna call when she does."
"Okay. Lets stay out. I don't want to have to face my mom anymore than I have to today."
Grace nodded. "Where do you wanna go?"
"I don't know, but somewhere."
Grace and I finished our breakfast. After we payed for our breakfast, we went to the mall. I don't really like going to the mall, but I couldn't really think of anything better to do. She helped me pick out some new clothes and I realized I had a sense of style.

Grace's mom called Grace around noon and said that she would be arriving around three. Grace and I had finished our shopping, so we then decided to catch a movie. Mom texted me before we got to the theater.
Mom: I love you, sweetie. I'm sorry for being mad.
Me: Whatever, mom.
Mom: Donna, I know I overreacted and I feel bad. Can u forgive me?
Me: idk. I'm seeing a movie w/ Grace.
Mom: OK. Well have fun. We'll talk later
I slipped my phone into my pocket. Grace and I bought our tickets and went into the theater.

Once the movie was over, Grace called a cab and we went to the airport. Her mom's flight was just landing as we got there. Grace hugged her mother when she saw her and then her mother hugged me.
"It's so nice to meet you. Grace has told me so much about you."
"It's nice to meet you, too. Thank you for coming all the way out here."
"No problem, dear. I'm glad we could help."
We all went back to the cab and drove back to my house. My mom was in the kitchen, sobering up.
"Hi, girls. How was the movie?" She asked as Grace and I walked in.
"It was good." I said.
Graces mom walked in and my mom went from happy (ish) to angry in a split second.
"Who is this?" She demanded.
"This Grace's mom. She's here to help you."
My mom became furious. "Donna, what did I tell you?"
"Listen, mom, I don't care what you think about this situation. I think you're in trouble and I want you to get help. I'm not going to fight about this anymore."
"Neither am I. I do not need help and I do not need your friends help."
Graces mom stepped up. "Can I talk to you about this situation?"
My mom narrowed her eyes. "Fine."
Grace and I went upstairs.
"Well, this is gonna be fun." Grace said once we got up to my room.
I nodded. "Let the games begin."