It's been one week.
One week since the incident with Loraine, and one week since talking with Dr.Francis.
I could go home soon.
Granted the more I thought about going home, the more I wanted to stay here. My friends never visited here, only my mother and James, and quite frankly as much as I loved seeing them, I liked hanging around with my new friends more.
It wasn't like I was only around them in one or two classes for 90 minutes. Nope. Here I'm surrounded by them. I wake up to hang out with them, I eat every meal with them, and they're the last people I see before going to bed.
Today marks the day of me being here a full month.
It was at first a day, then a week. But now a month living in the asylum and I changed more than I ever thought I would.
I wasn't by any means a different person. I'm not a character in a story book who learned a lesson and changed. I bet that would have been more exciting.
But I'm the type of character to platonically stay the same and not endure in any exciting practices whilst being in an asylum or anywhere for that matter.
I don't know if I want to go home anyways.
What will my friends think about me?
They'll probably either smile and act as if nothing had happened, ask a billion questions, or treat me like I'm a cracked China doll that could shatter in any moment.
And I don't want that.
-
"Good morning Loraine, Michael." I sat down with my tray of breakfast foods, sitting in my normal seat across from them.
"Lilly!" Loraine's cheered. "They gave me strawberry muffins!"
"Strawberry muffins...?" Not gonna lie, I've never heard of those before.
Loraine nodded and thrusted one into my face. "Have a bite, they're delicious!"
Michael smiled fondly at her and held his head in his hand contently. "Uh.." He gave me a smile and nod and that's when I took the muffin and took a gracious bite. Loraine grinned at me and was practically jumping out of her seat as I ate it.
"So what do you think?"
I chewed and swallowed and then smiled. "Actually really really good." She squealed with happiness and then gasped behind me.
"Twins!! Try this!" She grabbed the same muffin and waved it in their faces.
George sat next to me and Jordan on my right, as usual. "No need Loraine," George said.
"We already grabbed some," Jordan finished and both boys picked up a muffin and waved it like she was to show her.
She laughed and nodded, siting back down. "Good! They're absolutely delicious."
I smiled at them and ate my food quietly before someone touched my shoulder.
I turned around with eggs stuffed in my mouth to be greeted by Dr.Francis.
"Good morning Lilly," she said with that same chirp she often had. She looked up and smiled at the rest of my friends. "Michael, Loraine, George, Jordan, I hope you all had a pleasant rest last night."
The twins nodded politely and mumbled a "Yes ma'am," under their breath before looking down at their plates. Michael said nothing, as usual. Loraine on the other hand smiled graciously.
"Of course Dr.Francis, like every other night!" She smiled and Dr.Francis smiled back happily.
"I'm pleased to hear that. But I came for Lilly. Miss.Maxwell I'm afraid I need you in my office."
I frowned and turned my body to face her more as I swallowed the food in my mouth. "Why? I don't have therapy today."
"It's for.. other reasons." She turned around and looked at her watch. "I expect you to be in my office by the time lunch ends." She tossed a smile over her shoulder and eyes our table before walking away.
Michael and the twins grew quiet but Loraine continued to munch of her muffins happily. I looked to the three of them before munching on my own food. "What was that about?" George mumbled, looking over his shoulder to the doors. I did the same, only see Dr.Francis was still standing there and now talking to those mysterious men in white.
"No clue. But not gonna lie, I'm kinda dreading it."
-
Before lunch could end I made my way to her office. It was a longer walk than usual and I suppose that was because I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen.
Two man stood at the door and when they saw me, one peeked up and walked in the office. A few words were exchanged quietly before he opened the door for me.
"Right this way Miss.Maxwell." He grunted, letting me slide past him and inside the room.
The door was shut behind me and I was left alone with Dr.Francis.
"So what am I-"
"You're leaving."
"What?"
My shock must have been clear on my face and she motioned for me to sit. "I've decided to let you go. You've made all the progress I need and I think you're healthy enough to leave." She smiled at me and I realized how much I was in that one moment.
No one ever leaves here. "Seriously?" I said, smiling brightly. "I get to go home? Today?"
She smiled and nodded. "You'll leave in approximately and hour and a half. Just enough time for you to fill out the documents and say good bye to your friends."
She handed over some files and paperwork to which I grabbed a random pen off her desk and began to write and fill out all the required fields. I don't know why I was just jumping to this opportunity. I really don't. I mean wasn't I saying just a few days ago that I was starting to like it here? That I didn't want to go home?
But then I saw something in the window that made me stop writing.
Sitting on the windowsill was a little white cat staring at me with bright green eyes.
Cordelia.
I handed Dr.Francis the completed documents and she told me I had a few hours to tell me friends and say goodbye.
I think seeing Cordelia was the moment when I realized why I wanted to go home. Because of hope.
Hope that things would go back to normal and things would be fine between my friends and my family.
Hope that Thomas finally reached back to me.
Without a second thought I rushed out of the office and to the front doors. The lady at the desk didn't really question where I was going because I never left. Cordelia was already sitting at the door waiting to be let in.
So I opened the door and let her in. I mean who wouldn't?
"Ma'am what are you doing?" She asked me from behind her desk.
"Oh, um, nothing. Sorry." I smiled apologetically and walked to the teen section. Cordelia was so small and quiet that the lady didn't notice her. And if she did then she didn't say anything about it.
I headed into the teen section and looked around nervously. There were fewer people in here than before, but the people who were in here gasped when they saw my cat. I suppose animals weren't exactly allowed in here.
I sat down and Cordelia jumped up into my lap and looked up at me expectingly.
And then I noticed it.
I reached towards her neck and my hands began to shake as I pulled the little letting out for her collar. My fingers trembled and she finally relaxed and closed her eyes when I got the message.
I tore my glance back to the note and slowly opened it, tears welling in my eyes when I read over the words.
Dear Lillian,
I know I haven't been visiting as much but things have been hard for me at home. I'm trying. I really am. I got your message and this is not only the stupidest but cutest thing I've ever seen. Give Delly a hug for me, yeah? She misses you a lot.
I'm sorry they sent you to the hospital. I know you're not crazy. Hell, if you were crazy you wouldn't be reading this message in the broad day light. You deserve nothing but to be in my arms and back home.
I promise the minute you get home I'll try and reach you. I'll come knocking and maybe even meet your parents and your friends this time.
Don't forget about me Lillian.
Because I have not yet forgotten about you.
With all my love,
your Thomas.
-
So that was an important part of this story. Please realize what I'm trying to do and get across. I know Thomas hasn't been around as much, and there will be more chapters where he isn't in the story. But this story on its own is such a mess and something I need to go back into. There are bits and pieces I left out, and parts I want to take away, but I also want to finish strong.
And believe me when I say you're not ready for the ending.
Lots of love,
Mercay