Page 13 of Run To You
“So you retreated,” she says softly.
“I hid,” I state. “I hid from everyone I love because life was simply overwhelming.”
Becca goes to say something, but I cut her off.
“I know you would have been there if I’d asked. So would Eden, but there was no way I could. I already felt guilty that my friends were having to put up with me beingneurotic. I wouldn’t have been able to accept you taking time out of your lives to deal with me in such a state.”
“We just wanted to help,” she says.
“I know, but I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t get out of my own nightmare long enough.”
“So how did you get help? Was it Alex?”
Biting my lip again, I flex my hands a couple of times to help work out some nerves still racing around my body.
“It was actually Jenna.”
“Jenna? As in our Jenna?”
“Yes. She…she showed up during the Christmas break, took one look at me and called my parents. She also shouted at Alex…a lot.”
Becca chuckles. She’d never been a fan of Alex. “What did she say?”
Sighing, I can’t help but laugh too. “Jenna was furious that Alex hadn’t called my parents sooner. She screamed at her for being a shit friend only interested in getting in my pants. Then she kicked Alex out of my room.”
“Damn, I would’ve loved to have seen that.”
“I didn’t really know what was going on at the time, but looking back, I know she was right to call Alex out.”
Becca hums. “Let me guess. Alex’s version of helping you was to get you piss drunk every weekend?”
Sighing, I release Becca’s hand and tap the table softly. “Yes, Alex was always up for partying, but I made my own decisions. I can’t put it on her.”
“No, but anyone with eyes could see you were struggling. Jenna was right, she did just want to get in your pants.”
“Becca. Alex…Alex has her faults but she’s a decent person.”
“Uh-huh. Did she tell you I came to see you last year?”
My eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
“Yup. I came to visit you because I was worried sick. You’d disappeared from everyone’s lives, and I tried to give you space, but eventually I had to know you were okay. Your mom and dad told me you were getting help, but that’s all. I needed to see you with my own eyes, but Alex stopped me. She was in your dorm room when I arrived.”
“When was this?”
“Last spring.”
“I…I checked into a therapy center for a month.”
“Yeah, Alex told me. She also told me I should just leave you alone because all I was doing was making you worse.”
“What? Becca, Inever—”
“I know I shouldn’t have listened, but I was just so happy you were getting help, and by all accounts feeling better, so I walked away. I figured you’d contact me if you wanted to.”
“But I didn’t,” I reply quietly.
“No, but that’s okay. You’re here now.”
