The Next Morning

June 16th, Wednesday

I wake up with bright lights above me and a heart monitor beeping.

I was in the hospital.

I hear mumbling around me.

I hold my nose and swallow. My ears pop and I can hear.

It's Marcus, Noah and Kayla.

I open my eyes for the second time, the light less harsh than it was a few minutes ago.

Marcus notices and grabs my hand.

He kisses me.

The doctor comes up to me.

"Brianna Rose. I'm Dr.Hall."

I shake his hand, then I sit up.

"Be careful." He says, gesturing to my arm.

"What the hell? Why do I have an IV?"

"Do you not remember anything Miss Rose?"

I shrug.

I remember getting the shit beat out of me because I can't fight.

"You overdosed on your prescription meds in another attempt at suicide."

"No I didn't!" I protest.

"Shh. Please keep your voice down."

"I didn't try to kill myself." I say.

"Miss Rose, you can't deny the evidence that was laid out in plain sight."

"What evidence?"

"Your pills beside your unconscious and nearly dead body. They were missing 20 pills. You took 20 pills."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did. Your face was also badly beaten. We believe you ran into a conflict, decided you give up on life and overdosed."

"Oh my god. Can you guys not put 2 and 2 together? Like damn, it's not rocket science."

The doctor raises an eyebrow.

"I was attacked by a girl I had met earlier at work that day. I was bleeding so I took my medication. My vision was blurry so I guess I took too many."

"I'm sorry, Brianna, but we can't believe you. You have a long history of self harm, mental illness and attempted suicide."

Tears fill my eyes with the fact that I'm being treated like I've messed up again when I haven't done a damn thing.

Someone walks in the door.

"Cassie?" I ask, my voice cracking.

"Hey Brianna."

"What are you doing here?"

"They've been keeping me up to date with everything that goes on with you, Brianna."

"And? So what? Nothings going on this time."

She looks at the doctor.

"She's been trying to convince us that what we believe is a lie and it isn't what it looks like."

Cassie nods.

"It's really not! I'm not lying!" I scream.

Cassie rushes over to me.

"Listen, Brianna. Calm down."

"Get away from her." Marcus Says.

"Hold on." She tells him.

"No." He says.

He pushes by her gently and grabs my hand.

"Listen, I believe you. It all makes sense and these assholes are stupid for accusing you."

I nod.

Cassie pushes by him.

"Brianna. I need you to come with me again. Just like you did when you were fifteen."

"No!" I protest.

"You have to." She whispers.

"I didn't do anything!" I shout.

"You don't really have much choice!"

"No!" I scream.

I scream over and over again. It all felt like a nightmare. A horrible nightmare. Part of me wanted to wake up and realize I'm eight again and in the car on the way to New York, with a happy family, and a living mom.

But the other part of me knew that I loved Marcus too much to ever want to leave him.

The doctors take out my IV and other stuff.

I protest as they do that. I did not want to go back to the ward.

Doctors rush to my side, grabbing me by my arms and pulling me up like I'm a criminal.

Marcus yells at them. Kayla watches in fear.

As I continue to try to pull free, I elbow the doctor. They all drop me and I fall to the ground.

Marcus helps me up, holding me in his arms.

"I won't let them take you, Rose."

I look at Cassie. Her eyes are filled with sympathy.

I tighten my grip around Marcus' stomach. I was determined to get my way. I wasn't lying. I hadn't attempted suicide so I didn't deserve the consequences that came with attempted suicide.

Cassie sighs.

"What did the girl who attacked you look like?" She asks.

"She has black hair, brown eyes, and red lipstick."

"You said you met the girl at work?"

"Yeah."

Cassie calls my job and asks the manager if a girl of that description came in during my shift.

She hangs up.

"Alright. Well we've decided to let you off the hook since there is evidence that a girl of that description was at your job. Also, your manager said she was particularly rude to you. So your story checks out."

I don't answer.

"Can we go now?"

"Of course." Cassie Says, opening the doors

As I'm walking out, Cassie grabs my arm.

"You have my number. Call me if you need anything."

I nod and give her a small smile.

"I think I'll be good."

"You're Happy?" she asks.

"I will be." I respond.