red | e.d

thirteen

EDEN-JADE THURLOW

I looked upwards to see the familiar blonde haired girl whom I had punched in the face only days prior, looking into my teary eyes with a frown. She placed her arm around my waist and walked at my side, the silence amongst us being disturbed by my sniffling.

" Are you okay? " Mackenzie asked me as sincerely as possible, making me roll my eyes in annoyance.
" Do I look fucking okay, to you? " I snapped, instantly feeling guilty for doing so.
All differences aside, Mackenzie was trying to help me. And in a way, I was grateful for it. I felt so alone yet so claustrophobic at the same time, and she was just trying to make sure I was ok.
" Sorry, I-I just- " I tried to apologise, my voice low and extremely quiet, as if I couldn't bear to speak up.
That was when the girl cut me off, rubbing my back soothingly as she walked at my side.
" It's okay, don't apologise " She smiled as well as she could, my eyes looking into her blue ones, that had a small glimmer of hope twinkling inside.
I couldn't help but smile at her kindness, despite my tear stained cheeks. My skin was most likely red and blotchy, with my makeup smudging all over. I didn't care, though. My appearance was the last thing on my mind, right now.

" Was it Ethan? " She asked me as we walked, the girl removing her jacket, resting it on my shoulders.
I nodded hesitantly, looking at the dark road ahead. I was only a couple of minutes away from home now, but Mackenzie didn't dare leave.
" What did he do? " The girl questioned, staring at me so sadly, as if she hated seeing me cry.
The truth was, I never cried. Mackenzie knew this, in fact, she knew almost everything about my past. So, she must have known that whatever had happened, Ethan obviously meant something to me.
" He thinks I had sex with Grayson " I announced, sniffling again, whilst wiping my tears with the sleeve of her jacket.
I didn't mean to, almost forgetting that this was her item of clothing. But she didn't scold me for it, she just let me continue.

I tried to bring myself to tell her what he had said, but the thought of his cruel and insensitive words made me feel as if the flood gates were opening again, tears ready to fall from my eyes all over. I didn't want to be seen so weak, and so I took a deep breath and shook my head.
" I don't want to talk about it " I mumbled, seeing Mackenzie nod slightly from beside me.

That was when we reached my home, my footsteps stopping completely as I turned to face my ex-best friend, hoping to thank her. I appreciated her walking me home, making sure I got home safely in the state that I was in. Maybe she was trying to change, maybe she was truly sorry, for everything.

" Thanks, Mackenzie. I needed that " I told her, a smile forming on her lips as I did so.
I really did need her presence. Having her by my side in a moment where I needed someone the most reminded me of the times she would do this on the daily, curing my broken heart with the snap of her fingers. Except, this time, she hadn't cured it at all. She'd just kept me company. However, when I said this, Mackenzie linked her arm with mine, leading me up the path of my own house. I didn't know why she was being so sweet, so comforting towards me, but I didn't question it. It made me miss us.
" Don't thank me. Now, let's get you to bed " She told me, waiting for me to unlock the front door to my own house.
I instantly filled with panic, though. My mother was most likely asleep, alcohol and liquor bottles resting at her body. I didn't want anyone to see that, it made me feel so embarrassed and so worthless. I needed to get out of this house, Alex, too.

Mackenzie noticed my humiliation, and we weren't even inside yet. But before I could reason with her to let me check, or even for her to let me be, she had spoken up with a soft voice.
" Don't worry, Jade. I promise you, I don't care about that " She sighed, settling me somehow.
Mackenzie had seen it all before. She'd seen my mom drunkenly argue with me, hit me, tear me down with words and she's even seen her lay asleep, having passed out from the drink. If anyone had seen it almost as much as my brother and I, it was her.