Chapter 18: Trouble Blossoms

Hello! I'm trying to get back in my updating schedule so I'm updating today to get back on track. Congrats to cherrygorilla for guessing the correct reason why Mack's upset. Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

The next day at breakfast everyone was talkative and diving down into their food except for one person,

Mack.

Ever since her little break down yesterday and since this week is the worst week in history! She hasn't been the same, and everyone noticed this, but no one bothered to get involved. They had problems of their own.

SeaCat was struggling on what to do for Giggles for their 5 day anniversary which in his mind wasn't really a big deal, but it was in her mind.

CheeChee and Struts were hanging with Lugnut trying to change back Butchy but gave up after about 5 minutes of thinking.

And Kiki was still trying to figure out her feelings for Lugnut and try to find answers on who pushed her down that night after prom.

Rascal was helping Kiki some while also trying to find his feelings for Struts. I mean if there are any!

Tanner, Lela, and Olivia are trying to get Butchy back to Butchy. Olivia was in action for her plan. Which was kind of working, Butchy began to sleep later, stay up later, and doesn't go surfing. But his accent, style, and attitude weren't back yet.

Meanwhile, Brady was trying to figure out what was wrong with Mack, but every time he tried to talk to her she wouldn't listen. She just kept telling him she was fine and left. And when she came back, she had signs on her face that showed she was crying.

Brady wanted to help, but she just wouldn't let him.

Olivia and Butchy were having a romantic picnic on the beach, Olivia trying to get him normal and find out what's been bringing him down lately.

"So how have you been lately?" Olivia asked popping a grape into her mouth.

"Great I'm missing my family a lot though. It's the longest I've been away from them and it's my mom's birthday coming up too so I really wanted to visit her." Butchy explained taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"Oh that's so sweet. I miss my parents too! But there's nothing I can do about it." Olivia replied. The two sat in an awkward silence until they saw Mack walk out the door.

"Hey where are you going!" Olivia called. Mack turned around rather quickly.

"Just for a walk."

"Again!" Butchy called giving Olivia a confused look in which she instantly returned.

"Yeah I just got a lot on my mind. I'll be back later." Assuming they were done with the conversation, Mack turned around and walked away. Olivia and Butchy looked at each other in shock before returning to their lunch.

Lela and Tanner sat at the table playing goldfish when Brady walked up, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

"There's something wrong with Mack." Brady burst out after sitting there at the table not saying a word.

Lela and Tanner both set their cards face down before turning to Brady.

"You said that yesterday." Tanner said resting his hand on Brady's shoulder.

"Yeah but I thought that it was just a onetime thing not a two day maybe three day thing!" Brady exclaimed with his voice screeching a little.

"You know, now that you mention it, she was acting strange yesterday when I said the word family. But I didn't think anything of it." Lela spoke up. Brady's eyes widened.

"Wait what day is it?" Brady suddenly spoke. Tanner turned around and looked at the calendar.

"Um it says June 24. Why?"

"Of course! How can I be so stupid!"

"What?" Lela asked concerned.

"This week 5 years ago was the week that Mack's mom died." Brady explained.

"But I thought her mom died in the winter?" Tanner asked confused.

"Yeah she did but it was snowing in New York at that time. Nobody really knows why!"

"Ok but why did it take a whole week for her mom to die?" Lela questioned also confused. Brady slapped his palm against his forehead.

"No… this was the week Mack and her mom got into a huge fight, then she died. And Mack blames herself."

"Why would she do that? Is it her fault?" Tanner asked looking at Lela who nodded in agreement.

"No of course it's not her fault, she just thinks that maybe if they wouldn't have gotten into a huge fight, her mom would not have gone out and maybe if she would've kissed her goodnight that night, Mack wouldn't feel so guilty." Brady explained.

"Wait why didn't she kiss her mom goodnight. I always do!" Lela exclaimed.

Brady was starting to get frustrated with all of their questions.

"I don't know! She was a stubborn little girl. Kind of like she is now!" Brady explained.

Mack walked through the door but she had no signs of her crying which relieved Brady a little bit.

He jumped out of his chair and embraced Mack in a tight hug.

"You know you can come to me with anything right? I will always be here for you." He whispered into her ear. Mack nodded not being able to bring herself to words.

Brady's phone went off and it showed that he had to go home because his mom had a surprise for him. Brady groaned pulling away from his hug with Mack. He told everyone he will be back later and left the house.

If it had something to do with his mom's new boyfriend, he was going to flip!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think! I will try to update on Thursday. Thank you to my reviewers and readers…it means a lot!