When The World Fails You

When The World Fails You Part 15

“Bitch!” Kara screams at her.

Rinny throws Kara’s torn out hair at her and smiles. “How does it feel to know someone can fuck with you back Kara, huh?”

I notice the crowds noise goes down to listen to them fight.

“This isn’t real Kara!” Rinny is screaming at her. “This high school shit doesn’t last after you leave! After this, its all over for you!”

“Fuck you!” She screams.

Rinny shakes her head. “One day, when all this is over, you wont be popular anymore and the world will move on without you. But you, you’ll always be a bitch.”

Rinny then walks off with one of the proctors.

I grin at her as she looks at me. “Nice going street fighter.”

She grins back but doesn’t say anything.

I look back at Giselle who’s smiling through her pain. It feels like a good ending, but its not.

　

Madison

I got home early.

Too early.

After taking Courtney to lunch and discussing our problems, it felt like everything might be looking up.

My title at school was now officially ruined and a good chunk of me felt real good about it. The other part of me didn’t want to go back.

Good thing it was Friday.

I dropped her off and headed home.

I needed Maria.

She would probably make me a smoothie and comfort me by telling me one of her life stories.

She’s real good at that.

When I walked through the doors I found Dad, Mom, Grace, and Matt sitting in the living room…waiting for me.

My stomach dropped.

I shut the door and walked over to them. “Hi…”

Mom stood up. “What the hell is wrong with you Madison!”

News travels fast.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Like hell you don’t!” Grace got up along with Mom and crossed her arms. “You quit the team? Are you crazy?”

I shrugged.

“I wont tolerate this,” Mom shook her head. “This little rebellion of yours, its pathetic. I’m calling your coach and apologizing and your going back to school on Monday and apologizing to your squad.”

I thought about it. “No I’m not.”

“Yes,” Dad glared at me. “You are.”

“I don’t want to cheer. I don’t want any of that!” I burst out into anger. “You can’t tell me how to live my life the way you want it to be lived!”

“The world does not revolve around you Madison!” Grace scolded. “Do you not understand the reputation we, as a family, need to keep? How do you think dropping out makes your parents look? Makes me look? Do you even care?”

“I care…I just don’t want it.” My hands shook and I crossed my arms in order to not cry. I bit my lip and talked through it. “I never wanted it.”

“It comes with the family package.” My dad said, making me feel stupid. “You either deal with it or get over it.”

I shook my head. “This isn’t fair, you know that right?”

“Life isn’t fair Madison.” Matt chipped in. I glared at him. “Not everything can go your way.”

“No one asked you.”

“He’s only telling the truth…” Grace agreed with him. “The world doesn’t work the way you want it to. Sacrifices must be made in order to be happy.”

“I’m never happy!” I yelled. “Don’t you understand that? I have to put on this fake mask everyday in order to keep all of you happy. And I’m not happy! The only time I’m happy is when none of you are around…then when you aren’t around I start to wonder if we’ll ever be happy as a family!”

I threw my purse on the floor. “I’m always alone. I’m always unhappy.”

Then, I think of Maria and Ray.

“No,” I said out loud. “I’m happy sometimes…when I’m with Ray or Maria…but I need you guys. I need my family…”

“We’re going to start sending you to a therapist-” Mom began saying.

“Aren’t you listening to me?” My voice grew louder. “I need my family! Not a fuckin therapist!”

“You need punishment.” Dad stood up, angry at my yells. “Starting today your on restriction, no car, no going out with friends, and no Maria.”

I looked at him. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“What do you mean no Maria?”

“That’s what we wanted to talk about earlier today.” Mom spoke for Dad. “We let Maria go.”

My heart dropped.

“W-what do you mean-”

“They fired her.” Grace’s words were harsh. “This attachment thing you have with her is getting old Madison. Mom and Dad thought it would be in your best interest to let her go.”

I couldn’t help it anymore, my chin began to quiver and I felt tears welling up. I shook my head. “No, no, you call her back right now and tell her to come back.”

“No can do.” Dad shook his head.

My head grew light and I began to shake. “You can’t do this.”

“You’ll thank us later.” Mom reassured me. “Now, I’m going to call the school and fix this.”

I looked at Mom. She didn’t move once our eyes met. “I’m not going there.”

I grabbed my purse and ran to my room.

No one called me.

I slammed the door and leaned against it, sliding down.

Maria was gone. Fired. Because of me.

It felt safe to cry.

So I did until I knocked out.