“So this is what you do?” he asked, leaning against the pole beside me.
“What do you mean?”
“You whine and cry every time someone upsets you?”
“I’m not whining and I’m not crying.” I quickly wiped the falling tears.
“So what’s the story, then?”
“What’re you talking about?” I watched while he sat on the neighboring swing.
“Why are you so upset? Besides thebipolardisorder. I already know that’s why you’re having a sudden breakdown, but what triggered it?” He turned in the swing to face me, one leg resting on either side.
“Are you asking‘cause you think it’s funny?”
“It is funny,” he smiled as I scowled,“but I’m curious. From what I can tell so far, you never care about anything. It’s weird to see you upset.”
“You’ve only known me for four days.”
He shrugged.“Long enough. So what’s the story?” He leaned against the chain, watching me intently.
“I don’t wanna talk about it.”
“I could just get it from your mind, you know.”
“How? I’m not even thinking about you.”
“Did I not mention your guard goes down when you’re upset, too? And drunk.” He pulled out his lighter andflicked it on.“Or sleeping,” he added. “I might sense your dreams sometimes.”
“So you can pretty much read my mind all the time. Great. That’sexactlywhat I need. A sadistic know-it-all vampire who won’t leave me alone.”
“That’s good,” he encouraged.“Get it out. Let’s talk about it.”
“Are you being sarcastic?” I asked. He grinned, which was answer enough.“Fuck off. I’m not in the mood right now.” I got up and stormed off. Much to my dismay, he followed.“Go away!” I could hear him a few steps behind.
“No.”
“Why?” I whirled around to glare through blurred vision.“Whywon’t you leave me alone? You know I have mental issues, just leave me the fuck alone! Everyone else does. My dad decided to murder someone and go to prison when I was seven fuckin’years old, my mom loves her drugs more than me and didn’t give ashitwhen they took me away, my aunt doesn’t want me anymore, Ari doesn’t even know who I am. Why are you following me? You don’t evenknowme!”
“Ari’s drunk,” he said quietly.
“Go away!” I pulled a heel off and chucked it at his head, then snatched the other and threw it even harder. I let out a scream of frustration when it missed too.“Why won’t you just leave me alone? I suck as a person, I’m not even doing anything with my life. Maybe I just shouldn’t have one.” I sank to my knees as the tears began to flow.“That’s what I’m gonna do.”
“Kill yourself?” Dennis crouched in front of me.
“No,” I muttered, refusing to look at him.“I can’t even do that right.”
“Is that why you were institutionalized before?”
“No. That was because I tried to hit some asshole with my car. They said I was a danger to society and myself. I was on a three-day watch and then my aunt shipped me here. I wish I’d killed her.”
“Your aunt?”Denniswas appalled for once, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“The asshole from school. I love my aunt. That girl was evil, though. If her boyfriend hadn’t saved her in time I would’ve run her over.”
“I see why they locked you up,” he mused, taking a seat across from me.
“That’s why I had to go to anger management for a while. Not anymore since I moved here. I’m supposed to get a new therapist for weekly sessions, but whatever. I’ve been fine so far and I’ve finished the court ordered sessions, so who cares.”
