But I'm Barely Breathing (A The Script FanFic) (Sequel to Millionaires)

Chapter 11- Cracked

“Luke…” I begin but he cuts me short.

“No I’m fine.” He says, rubbing his temples. “Just my head, my head fucking hurts.” He says. I just stand and watch him for a moment, feeling helpless. I watch as his hands move from his temples towards his ears, as if he is trying to block out some silent sound. I watch my little brother with a heavy heart, no matter what he says, he is defiantly not ‘fine’. Ever since he came home something hasn’t been quite right, on the outside, he seemed to be the same reckless young boy who left 18 months ago, but every now and again the mask slips off, and you catch a glimpse of what lies beneath; I don’t know what it is, but it certainly isn’t Luke O’Donoghue.

*Glen’s POV*

I stand in the doorway, watching as Danny rips the sheets from the bed and kicks the wooden leg, causing him to cry out in pain as he swipes his arms sideways, knocking the various objects from the bedside table to the ground. “Dan.” I try to say but I don’t think he hears me, and to be honest I’m a little afraid to interrupt his rage. I see him raise a foot, ready to stamp on the smashed ornaments and glasses. But then, suddenly he stops. For a moment he is totally still before suddenly sliding to the ground. I slowly venture into the room, coming up behind him, suddenly stopping as I see what he holds in his hands. He turns and looks up at me, his eyes full of tears, before looking back down at the smashed photo frame. I take a shaky breath before sinking down next to him, gazing sadly at the photo; the three of us, Cat, and Autumn; all laughing and squealing as Cassidy shook water out of her coat all over us.

We sit in silence for what feels like years, gazing at the photo, I don’t know what Dan is thinking but I can make a good guess, probably the same as me; why did it have to change? Why couldn’t we just stay as we are in that picture, safe, happy, a family?

“I don’t know what to do.” Danny suddenly whispers, looking up at me, tears sliding down his face, “I don’t know what to do, Glen.” He whispers, his lip quivering.

“It’s ok Danny boy, it will be ok.” I whisper, putting an arm around him in an attempt to comfort him and discover just how much he is shaking. I gaze down at the photo in his hand, my eyes following along the cracks in the glass. That’s what are now, all of us; cracked, and somehow I fell it will take more than superglue to mend us.

*Mark’s POV*

Glen sighs heavily as he shuts the car door and I know it’s his way of hinting at me to ask what’s up.

“You ok?” I ask and he signs again,

“Oh, I don’t know.” He says as he fastens his seatbelt.

“Yeh, I know that feeling.” I mutter quietly.

“It’s just…I’m worried about Danny.” He says, “You should have seen him early…it was like…like last year all over again. And yes so we all breakdown every now and again, god I know that, but…I’m worried he won’t be able to bring himself out of this.” Glen says and I make some mumbled sounds of recognition as Glen kicks the car into life.

Silence falls in the car as Glen sets off down the road, the only sound coming from the back seats where Cassidy lies, snoring slightly as she sleeps. As I think about Glen’s words I begin to feel almost angry, angry that he has noticed this in Danny, but not in me. I mean, Danny is a lot more open with his feelings, but it still hurts that nobody noticed. Not that I want them to of course, I don’t want their ‘help’, but it would be nice to be noticed.

“We need Cat.” Glen says suddenly, dragging me from my thoughts.

“What?” I ask, confused.