Yeah, this chapter is probably going to be an emotional doozy too.

Sorry, now onto the story.


Chapter 8-

For three days I have been a zombie. I was on autopilot with Windy but it was stiff, and my heart wasn't in it. When I wasn't with her, I was by myself in my room or taking a hot bath just to feel something. I couldn't escape the chill that followed me around or the tears that just welled up whenever I laid my head down.

I was doing that now, laid in my bed in the middle of the day while Windy played in her room. I was fighting back tears but losing so horribly. It wasn't healthy. I wasn't healthy. Gods I didn't even want to think about how angry my hair must be at me from not tying it up.

Oh well. That's a problem for tomorrow. I said the same thing yesterday.

"MAVERICK!"

"Oh no." I groaned. Footsteps hurriedly came up the stairs and stopped at my door, followed by a rapid succession of knocks. I turned over to the other side to avoid looking at whoever opened my door.

Of course I was the only teen in this town who did not attempt to lock their damn door these days.

"Maverick."

"Please go away." My voice broke in a sob.

A heavy weight pressed down beside me. "Oh Ricky." She said sadly, putting her arms around me as best as she could with me laying down.

"Vicki, leave me alone."

"No. I've left you alone since school got out and you haven't been answering my or your other friends' calls. You're lucky Mrs. Lockwood is keeping Tyler busy, or he would have been here yesterday."

I let out a pathetic laugh at Tyler bursting in with no tact at all. "That wouldn't be helpful."

"No, it would not." I turned around just so I could see the annoyed expression on her face. "Now, please for the love of god and my sanity, tell me what has been going on with you."

I took in a deep breath and spilled my guts. I told her what happened when I came back home Sunday. How my mother was trying to gain sympathy for me, how she said I'd lose Willow, how she just couldn't comprehend that while she was grieving her way I had to grieve in a way that still took care of us, that still made me functional to Windy.

"Shit, I'm sorry Ricky." She pulled me up and gave a tight hug which I reciprocated immediately.

When I spoke my voice was muffled by her shoulder. "I thought I needed my mother Vicki but what I really need is for her to be there so Windy never has to go through what I did." We continued hugging and I was starting to feel just a little better. "I don't want to be a parent for the rest of my life."

"And you won't." She said with conviction.

"If she comes back from rehab better than I won't but it doesn't always stick. I need it to stick."

"Then it will." She reassured me. "So stop stressing and don't shut me out. If there's anyone who you can talk to candidly it's me. I'm not just here for show. I'm your friend, I'm supposed to help you out in a jam and cheer your moody ass up."

I smiled without even knowing. I hugged her one more time, thanking her for being here.

"Always dumbass." She said into my neck. My doorbell ringing pulled us from our moment. We looked at each before getting up and going downstairs only to open the door to all my friends. My Angels and Bosleys.

I was so confused. "What are you guys doing here?"

Caroline rolled her eyes liked It was obvious. "Clearly we're here for you. I mean you had us worried-"

"Them worried. I was just along for the ride." Tyler interrupted.

"Ignore the Lockwood dumbass. We" She gestured to the other two girls and Matt, "were concerned and when Vicki said she was coming over to get you out your funk we decided to help."

"Yeah. I even bought your favorite." Matt shook up the bag in his hands.

"I got the movies." Elena said, holding up her backpack.

"I've got cash for some takeout." Tyler shrugged.

"I bought some of Gram's cookies." Bonnie moved the tin in her hands.

I looked at Caroline who had empty hands. "And what did you come here with Care."

"Skills on self care you've been ignoring. So while they set up I'm going to help you relax."

Aww. "Guys this is sweet and everything but Windy is still here and-"

"Lovely. I'm great with kids, you know." Vicki told me.

I shook my head in defeat. "I can't stop you can I?"

"Nope." Caroline smiled sweetly. I shook my head again and moved to the side to let my friends in. They followed me upstairs to my room which luckily had a king size bed but I also kept extra comforters and pillows in my closet for moments like these.

As soon as we stepped in Caroline went through my drawers, pulling out some night clothes and following me to the bathroom where she sat them on the counter.

"Take as long as you need, wash your hair and condition it well and I'll take care of the rest." She left me alone, locking the door behind her.

I did what she said, showered and got in as deep as I could with the shampoo and conditioner before having to go for the detangler under my sink and spending a good ten minutes with that and brush. I should be toned as shit with how much work went into making my hair soft again.

I rinsed my hair, moisturized before dressing and rejoined everyone in my room. Caroline was at my vanity with the blow dryer already plugged in and products lined up. "Sit." She told me. You did not not listen to Caroline Forbes.

When I crossed by the TV I was directly in front of Tyler and decided to mess with him. "Stop looking at my tits Tyler." I winked so he knew I was joking.

"Not interested in 'em O'Connell. Maybe when they hit C cups." He smirked. I threw him the middle finger and he laughed. It was also a lie because I was almost out of a C.

When I sat down in my vanity chair Caroline got to work. She first separated my hair into sections and began blow drying on the lowest setting.

"Vicki?" She looked over at me. "Can you go get Windy from her room?" Vicki got up and left, coming back moments later with my little sister in her arms.

"Hey!" She waved her hands excitedly at all of them.

"Hey little Connell. You been doing all right?" Matt asked, ever the sweet one with her. If I wasn't her sister, he would be her favorite. Actually, I think he was if you could go by the way she got suddenly shy around him and stuck by his side when he was around. My little sister had a big crush on the boy next door.

"Yeah." She said shyly. Vicki bit back a smile at her like everyone else was doing.

Bonnie patted a spot next to her which was conveniently also next to matt. "Come on Win. I saved you a seat."

Windy wiggled out of Vicki's arms and practically ran to claim that spot. I couldn't believe her and didn't have the heart to break hers. She was young so she'd probably get over it.

We all sat in comfortable silence eating the snacks Matt brought and watching some movie until Tyler ordered some pizza and wings. The food got here right when Caroline had finished with my hair. For the first time in days I felt really clean and relaxed.

I was grateful for these damn persistent people who refused to leave me behind. They gave me some clarity. I had things to get into priority and tomorrow they will be. I took enough time to get to know these people, this world and my abilities.

I went to sleep next to my friends with a plan for tomorrow which I enacted as soon as they left.

I opened my laptop and ordered some gemstones and silver ring bands offline that cost me a pretty penny but magic was not cheap and quality could affect the spell. I had enough saved up that would buy me all that I needed.


On Friday Petra was finally back. When I opened the door I pulled her in and ushered her into the kitchen so we could talk and not wake anyone up.

"What's with pulling?" She asked, setting her purse on the counter.

"I need to talk to you. Water?" She shook her head. "Ok. So there's going to be a change of plans for the summer. I'm going to have you take Windy with you and drop my mother off at rehab."

"She wants to go?" She asked, shocked.

"No. I'm making her ass go."

"And why is Windy coming with me?"

"I have plans I need to get into the works that Windy does not need to be around. It's just for this summer. I need her safe and away from me until the new school year starts."

"Maverick?" I hadn't even realised I wasn't meeting her eyes and kinda spacing out until she called for me.

"I'm fine P. Please just do this for me. I have the money if you-"

"I have enough money, Mav." She interrupted. "But will you be ok?"

I smiled reassuringly at her. "As soon as my mother is gone and Windy is states away from where I will be fine."

She still seemed skeptical but eventually agreed. "Can you tell her? I just- I don't know what I would even say."

"Ok." She went up stairs without another word.

A few minutes later Windy came down stairs excited and not sad like I thought she would. I looked at Petra like 'What The Fuck?". She shrugged not bothering paying attention and headed back out the kitchen using vamp speed. Windy wasn't paying attention, all her excitement focused on me.

"Oh My GOD! Michael, Peter said that she would take me to Disneyland for the summer if you agreed. Can I go? Can I Go? Can I go? Please say yes. Please, please, please, please." She begged.

Oh she's good. "Of course you can, Windy."

"YAY!" She exclaimed and ran around. She was so happy and I was so out of it. Next time I just won't worry so goddamn much.

Maybe I am paying Petra a lot. Taking my sister to Disneyland for the whole summer. I was honestly jealous I couldn't do it myself. Traveling with Windy when she's older is now my number 1 priority in the future.

Me and Windy walked up the stairs and she went into her room to 'help' Petra pack while I went into my mothers. It was very empty of personal items, it didn't show signs of having a living person in it except for a pile of dirty clothes and food wrappers on the floor. Jorrie was sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. A husk. That's all that she was.

"Petra is here. You leave today so I would pack a bag unless you want to go there with nothing." I told her.

She just lifted her head looking me in my eyes, pleading silently.

"Be ready by 7."


Yep. Thats it for the more emotional stuff. "Let's get down to business." As my man Shang from Mulan would say.

Also the next chapter may be a little longer because I need to plan the direction so please don't be upset. Thank you to the new Followers and two more reviews from musa22lbl and BoredBitch87.

'Til next time- BigSmallWonder