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Dedication: Squeaky500 for commenting more than once on the last update! Thank you!

Recap:

Goose bumps scattered across my skin as my eyes darted around. I often felt it but today, I had felt someone watching me. I couldn't see anyone around but I felt them.

My phone vibrated against my leg.

Casey: I couldn't leave any evidence. Sorry.

My heart plummeted into my stomach.

Holy shit.

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As I sat in front of my dusty mirror, I cringed at my own reflection.

The bags underneath my eyes are prominent, bordering on an unhealthy dark, purple shade. I find it impossible to sleep now, even with the light on. I keep waking up in cold sweat, my sheets sticking to me, as I keep thinking I hear footsteps, my door opening/closing and feeling like someone is watching me.

I am definitely going crazy.

I don't know how I haven't been kicked out of school yet, due to lack of attendance. Dr Ainsley said something about them giving me "special consideration" due to everything I have mentally dealt with in the past year and a half.

So here I am, sitting in front of my hardly-used mirror, attempting to cover my pale, blotchy face with expired makeup, which has been sitting under my bathroom sink for months. Feeling a little better about my dreary appearance, I got to my feet, shrugging into my coat.

I'm leaving earlier than usual, as I want to see Marissa before school. We haven't spoken since our argument outside the hospital. I don't know where her thoughts are at or how she feels, but I am going to find out very soon.

"I'm heading out now," I called to my parents, stuffing a banana into my bag for lunch. I hardly have an appetite at the moment, ever since Casey and I basically began texting. I haven't heard from him, since his weird, confession-type-thing after I went through the hospital footage.

"Not so fast, young lady," my dad said, placing his half-drank coffee onto the kitchen bench. "I'm driving you."

"I'm fine walking," I insisted, growing more frustrated with how they're treating me. It's like I'm made out of glass. I understand why of course, doesn't mean it isn't frustrating.

"No arguments."

I let out a sigh as he gathered his brief case. I followed him out to the car and slid into the passenger seat.

"I want to go talk to Marissa before school starts. Can you drop me off there?"

He frowned at me. "You're not planning to skip school or anything, are you?"

"No, I'm honestly going to talk to Marissa," I replied, buckling myself in. "I actually want to go to school. I need something to get my mind off of everything."

"Alright," he agreed, turning the car in the opposite direction to school. "You doing okay?"

"I'm getting there," I replied honestly. "Dr Ainsley is great. I'm connecting with him better than anyone else I've had sessions with."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, he doesn't make me feel like I'm crazy. It's a nice feeling."

Dad grew quiet as he received the not-so-subtle message that he is one of those that make me feel crazy. The rest of the drive was silent. He pulled out the front of Marissa's house and I pulled my bag from the floor, swinging it onto my shoulder.

"Thanks dad."

"Love you, kiddo," he smiled, just as I shut the door.

I stood on the driveway for a moment, just listening to the sound of the car's tires crunch against the gravel, as dad pulled from the curb, suddenly feeling nauseous with nerves.

A few moments later, I heard the front door open and Marissa appeared, her auburn hair draped in a high pony tail, her cheeks stained pink. She bustled down the steps of the porch, appearing to be a little dazed, until our eyes met.

Her bag slipped form her shoulder, hitting the driveway pavement with a thud.

"Marissa," I greeted awkwardly, chewing my lip.

"Hi Sadie," she replied quietly, bending down to pick up her bag. "Haven't heard from you in a while."

"Yeah, I've been in and out of hospital," I explained. "I wanted to talk to you before school..."

Before I could finish my sentence, she barrelled towards me. I closed my eyes and flinched, expecting her to slap me or something. Her arms wrapped around me as she squeezed me tightly.

She then pulled back and slapped my arm repeatedly.

"Ow!" I whined, stepping back. "What are you doing?"

"That's for disappearing and not answering your phone! I felt awful after our fight and I couldn't get onto you and you weren't at school!"

Suddenly, she was sobbing. Tears openly flowed down her cheeks as she stared at me, a mixture of sadness, relief and annoyance (strange combination, I know) on her face.

"I'm sorry," I uttered quietly, completely taken back by her reaction.

"I'm really sorry for making it seem like I didn't believe you. I just didn't think Owen was like that. I should have trusted you. I'm really sorry."

"It's fine, honestly. Let's just put this all behind us, okay?"

"Um, before we do that..." she trailed off nervously. "I've still been hanging out with Owen. I know you'll be mad but he's still one of my best friends..."

I nodded. "It's okay. He was out of mind. Just because I don't want anything to do with him, doesn't mean your friendship should be affected. I just want to be on good terms with you."

She let out a breath of relief as she smiled at me. "Thank God."

"You worry too much," I said to her with a small smile of my own.

"I know, it's a curse," she sighed. "Want a ride to school?"

"Please."

As I slid into the car, I fiddled with the heat, putting it on high. I rubbed my hands together as she reversed out.

"What's been going on?" she asked.

So, I filled her in. I told her about my almost-jump, to my stay in hospital, to receiving a visit from Casey which I may or may not have made up in my mind and how I now feel I need to break things off with Isaac and go back to being friends, as I can't move on from Casey. Not right now, anyway.

We had reached school about halfway through my story and are now sitting in her car. Marissa's mouth is gaping as she stares at me in shock.

"Wow."

"Yep," I replied, feeling so much relief in sharing this with her. I've come to the conclusion that I need to let out how I'm feeling and what is going on in my life, otherwise I will explode and end up at the bridge again, doing something stupid. "What's been going on with you?"

"Nothing compared to that," she rolled her eyes. "Come on, we'll be late otherwise."

We piled out of the car and began to make our way towards the school.

"How have you been sleeping?" I asked her.

"Good, actually. Ever since that near-death experience at your house," she shuddered. "How about you?"

"Terrible," I whined. "I am struggling to sleep more than a few hours of a night now."

"I'd offer to stay a few times a week but I don't know if I can go through that again," she admitted with a sigh. "Sorry."

"No, don't be. I'm just trying to figure out what to do. I'm too scared to taking sleeping pills in case something happens and I need to be awake, but I need to do something. Soon."

"Talk to your new counsellor about it. He might have some ideas?" she suggested.

"You're right. That's a good idea."

"I'm not just a pretty face, you know," she teased with a smile.

As we walked down the hall, I felt eyes on me instantly. They must wonder what the hell is going on with me. Half of me doesn't care and the other half of me wants them to all stop thinking I'm a nut-job.

I brush a loose tendril of my dark hair off my face as I reach my locker. I withdraw my history textbook out and wait for Marissa to do the same, before we begin to head in the general direction of our history classroom.

We spent the remainder of the five minutes we have spare, catching up on surprisingly normal things. She told me about this new T.V show on Netflix that she is obsessed with, and that we should have a movie marathon soon. It felt so good to be talking to Marissa again and acting like a normal teenager.

We rounded the corner, just as the bell buzzed, when I ran into Owen.

His eyes widened in surprise as he saw me. Neither of said a word and Marissa cleared her throat uneasily.

He reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me after him.

"We need to talk."

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How do you feel about Sadie being back at school with her friends? What do you think Owen is going to say to her?