A/N- Hello my lovelies(:
A light invades my senses, waking me from a peaceful slumber. I open my eyes, and there's a moment of panic because I don't remember what happened. But I look down at my wrists, and my memory comes back clearly.
They're covered in white, sterile gauze now. Without the morphine, my wrists sting. Tears roll down my face as I replay the night in my head.
"Madge."
The voice is quiet, sad. I recognize it immediately, and I wince because I'm ashamed. I'm not ashamed of what I did; I'm ashamed of who I am.
"What do you want," I ask, harsher than I intended.
"Why?"
The words make me break down. I can't even control my sobs as I cradle my head in my hands. I feel Theo's comforting touch on my shoulder.
"I went to your room to see where you've been because you never came back the other day. But your door was locked. I called your name, and you didn't answer. Then I heard a loud thump, and I freaked out. I finally managed to get the door open and saw you…"
His words trail off, but I know what he saw. I grimace as I hug him tightly.
"Never do that to me again," he whispers into my hair as I feel cold tears soak my shirt.
"I'm sorry," I say as I hide my face in his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
"I care about you so much. You are the daughter I never had. I don't know what I would do if you died," he says as he squeezes me tighter.
And in that moment I found out that one person actually cared. And that means more to me than anything.
"I love you," I say.
"I love you too."
The sound of someone clearing their throat makes us both look up. My father is in the doorway staring at both of us.
"Theodore, you have work to do."
Theo stares at my father with a cold expression I've never seen before. He doesn't move. My father looks surprised at his lack of obedience.
"Madge needs sleep," my father says.
"Madge needs love."
"Madge needs sleep."
"No she doesn't," Theo argues.
My father's voice drops down to an intimidating whisper as he says, "Theodore."
Theo lets go of me and apologizes to my father as he leaves the room.
My father turns around to leave my room, but he looks back at me. I think that he's going to tell me that he loves me. Or that he'd be devastated if I died. Or that he cares about me.
"If you killed yourself it would destroy my reputation. Don't pull this stunt again."
My father leaves me alone in my room with those parting words resounding in my head.
I was right. He doesn't care about me.
…
I didn't realize I fell asleep until I awoke to the sound of knocking. I groggily stand up on my feet and stumble to the door. Locked. I pound my fists on it, which hurts my wrists. A lot.
"Damn it," I mutter under my breath. I inhale deeply. I could really use some morphine right now. "Theo," I yell, "let me out!"
I hear someone making their way upstairs and starting to unlock my door. A moment of dread washes over me as I wait to see who will be on the other side. I don't want to see my father again.
When I see Theo's kind face, I breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry about the locked door. Your father wanted to make sure you stayed in your room."
"Of course he did," I mumble under my breath. I pause for a moment. "Who was at the door?"
"Gale was selling-," Theo starts, but I cut him off.
"Gale?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Is he still here," I ask.
"No, he left."
I don't even have a second thought as I race down the stairs and sprint out the front door. The ground hurts my bare feet, but I don't care.
Gale hasn't gotten far. He hears my footsteps and turns around to face me. He is clearly confused, but I have a burning question that I never was able to ask. I need closure with him.
"Undersee?"
His voice sounds so concerned for me that I almost melt right there.
"Gale," I squeak out.
He takes cautious steps towards me like he's approaching a skittish deer. The seconds feel like years.
"What the hell," he mutters as he gingerly holds my wrist in his hand. His touch sends electricity through me.
"I…," I start. I gaze down at my wrists and realize that the cuts have started bleeding through the gauze.
"Did you cut yourself?"
His voice is emotionless. He drops my wrist, and I immediately miss his gentle touch.
"Yes."
My voice is so quiet that I don't know if he heard me. The silence is long.
"Why did you follow me anyway," he asks in his usual intimidating, cold voice.
"I have a question for you."
"Shoot."
"Was it real," I ask.
"Was what real?"
"Us."
He takes another long pause, and my heart is beating faster than the speed of light. My palms are sweating profusely. I don't even know why I'm so anxious.
"Our relationship was the only real one I've had."
And with that he walked away from me, leaving me with more questions than answers.
A/N- Please review!(: Love you!