Reality *editing*

Chapter 6

I woke up in a strange place. I looked around at the boarded up windows and it all came back to me.

"You're finally awake", Jake said. "I was wondering when you were going to wake up."  

"It was only an hour", I said.

"It was more like a couple of days", he said.

"What happened while I was out?", I asked.

"Leo and the rest of the gang pretty much threatened the whole town to find you", he said. "I told him I knew where you were but I wasn't telling him. He said that it was important, that he wasn't going to hurt you. So I said I'd pass on the message. He said to meet him at John's. That you'd know who it is. But that's all he said. Never told me why."  

"Oh. Thanks", I said. I didn't know what else to say. I thought Leo didn't want me to go back. I got up and started to walk out the door.

"You're going?!"

"Umm, yeah."

"Why?! All he ever did is hurt and abandon you!", he said. "Doesn't it seem a bit weird that he wants you back after he was the one who kicked you out?"  

"What other choice do I have!?", I said frustrated. "I can't just stay here for the rest of my life!"

"Join our gang!"

"What part of 'no' don't you understand?!"

"Fine. Do what you want", he said. "When you get into trouble again don't come running to me."

"I didn't come running to you, you came to me!", I yelled. "I am not that desperate!"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I hate how you always slow me down because you think you're helping! You're not helping!" I said.

"You don't want my help?"

"No!"

He didn't say anything for a minute. "Fine, you don't have to worry about me helping anymore", he said and walked away.

I waited a couple of minutes before I left to John's.

John is a guy we met two years ago. We were running from the cops because we broke into a house. We ran until we got to his house. We thought no one was living there because no one has for years, so we went inside. Later on, he came inside and found us. After talking for a while he said we could stop by anytime we needed to. I guess I forgot all about him.

I wonder why Leo is asking me here instead of at the house, or why he's even asking me at all.

I walked in through the door and the boys jumped off of the couch and hugged me. Even Leo hugged me.

"What took you so long?" Leo said with worry written all over his face. "I told Jake to tell you to meet me here two days ago."  

"I was sleeping", I said.

"The whole time?", he asked. I nodded. "Why must you sleep so much?"

"I haven't slept the whole week", I said.

"Max, we thought you were dead", Eddie said.

"Anyway, I asked you to come here so I could tell you that I'm sorry", Leo said.

"What?"

"I didn't mean what I said to you. I was hoping you were going to stay", he said.

"Well, there's only so much someone can take," I said

"I'm sorry for what I did to you. You didn't deserve any of that and I'm sure it brought back memories that you were trying to forget. I was just angry because I lost my job."

"Why didn't you just tell us?"

"I was embarrassed", he said. "I felt like I let you guys down."

"You don't have to worry about that", Austin said. "You know that we love you no matter what."

After talking, we went out into the back yard to eat dinner. After eating, everyone went to bed, including me. I'm still exhausted. It's nice to be back in the group. I missed them a lot.

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Hey guys!! I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who have been reading and commenting and voting. I realky appreciate it!! You guys are amazing. :)

The attached picture is Austin.

Please keep it up guys!!!

X- A