Magnolia’s POV
I didn’t get any sleep last night. After Lea dropped me off I went straight into my room. Derek tried to talk to me but I shut the door in his face. He had knocked, but I wasn’t having it. I ditched my clothes in the bathroom and turned the shower on cold. I sat in the corner of the tub with my knees drawn to my chest. The cold water dulled the pain I felt. My body shivered at the thought of what had happened. I sat in the tub for what felt like hours.
I can’t believe it happened. I thought I was over this... My anxiety problems were heightened at the thought of being alone. I could barely go 20 minutes without knowing someone is going to be with me. No one knew about this and I planned on keeping it that way. This is what makes everything harder because I need someone around me. If Nate hadn’t answered his phone I would have probably been unconscious when Lea found me, if not worse.
Nate didn’t ask questions last night. He didn’t question my shaky voice, nor why I had called him. I was thankful for it, anyways. I wouldn’t be here without him. He tried to cheer me up by telling me jokes and puns, old stories about himself and Lea, he even read a book to me that he stole from Lea. None of it really worked, but it kept me stable. I owed him my life.
I was shivering when I finally shut off the water. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around me. I had slipped on my warmest pajamas and slid into my bed. My thoughts wandered to what had started this all. It was Dalton.
Dalton Rapattoni was the reason for my anxiety attack.
~
When the T.V. turned on down the hall, I finally pulled myself out of bed. It was around 7 o’clock and maybe mom just got home from her graveyard shift. I dragged my T.A.R.D.I.S. throw and wrapped it around my body. Maybe I can sweat off the anxiety. I padded down the hallway and into the living room. Derek was sprawled on the couch made for three people with Sandy on the ground next to him. I stood there staring at him until he looked over.
“Aren’t you hot?” He asked me, tilting his head away from T.V. to look at me. Tears welled up in my eyes and I ran to my brother. His eyes widened as I jumped and collapsed on top of him. He grunted and tried to push me off. “What is wrong with you?” He yelled. Tears streamed down my face. My brother. I needed him.
“I’m just so glad you’re here.” I cried and hugged him. He seemed to soften at the sight of my tears. He sat up and dragged me with him. I curled into his side as he drew me close.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” He whispered into my hair. I didn’t reply. I couldn’t tell him. I just needed to be close.
“Don’t leave me, okay?” I asked, removing my head from his side. He stared down at me before nodding.
“Never.” Then he hugged me again.
We stayed like that for an hour, not talking. We listened to the morning news in silence. I shut my eyes and drifted into a dreamland, catching up on the sleep I missed the night before. I woke up alone on the couch. I rubbed my eyes and followed the smell of toast. Derek had sandwich ingredients scattered around the kitchen counter. I watched him quietly. He didn't ask me if I wanted a sandwich. He stacked meats and cheeses on his contraption. He slid the sandwich to me and started on his.
"Are you going to tell me what's up or...?" I took a bite of the sandwich and shook my head.
"You know me, just thinking of the worse..."
"Was it a nightmare?" Derek asked, confused.
"Yes."
~
I don't know what made me do it but I was dialing Nate’s number. I was getting ready for my radio shift, trying to be early for once, and found myself staring at my cell phone. My finger pressed send before I had a second thought. Scolding myself, I held the phone to my ear before grabbing my messenger bag.
"Hey, Wags." Nate’s voice greeted me. Too late to back down.
“Hey, Honey Bear. I wanted to thank you for yesterday.” I told him. I grabbed a chip from Derek and shoved it in my mouth. I gave him a wave and exited my house.
“It’s no biggie. You want to talk more about it?” He asked. I unlocked my baby and opened the garage door.
“It was nothing. I was just a little freaked out.” I slid into the car and tossed my bag into the seat next to me. Buckling my seatbelt, I rolled out of the garage and closed the door behind me.
“Are you sure? I’m always here for you...” He trailed off. I took a left out of my driveway and drove to the station.
“I know, Honey Bear. But I think Lea needs you a little more than I do right now.” I informed him. He made Lea pretty tick the last two days. Nate let out a sigh.
“I know. I didn’t know about her and Matthew. I shouldn’t have yelled at her like that.” He ranted. I nodded along at what he said and stopped at a red light.
“Yeah, you shouldn’t have. But how could you have known that? You just have to apologize and maybe stop being a dick to her.” I suggested. I heard him sigh and a ruffling sound in the back. He was probably running his fingers through his hair.
“You’re right,” I could hear the smile in his voice as he added, “like usual.” I snorted a laugh and took a left into town.
“Damn, right I am.” We laughed for a good minute before settling into an easy silence.
“Hey, Maggie?” His voice was quiet. I was close to the station by now.
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to get coffee sometime? With me?” I froze, well, froze as much as a driver could. Was he asking me out? On a date? “Not as a date or anything! Just to talk! I think we both need that right? I mean if you want to call it one! A date, I mean. That would be fine! I mean you don’t have to...” He mumbled.
“Honey Bear?” I giggled.
“Yeah?”
“You’re rambling again.” I could basically feel the blush seep through the phone. His laugh was nervous.
“Sorry, I just really need help with Lea. You’re the only person who knows as well as I do.” Of course it was Lea. He wouldn’t be interested in me.
“Yeah, sure, Nate. Whenever. But hey, I’m working this week til Friday. Maybe we can plan something then.” I told him, going through my mental calendar.
“That would be awesome!” Nate said as I grinned to myself.
“I’m at the station. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” I said. I flashed the guard my employee card and drove into the parking structure.
“Okay. Bye, Wags.” I hung up before I could say anything stupid. My designated parking spot was close to the elevators so I didn’t have to walk far. Thank god. I lifted my bag from the passenger seat and shut the car door behind me. I locked the doors and made my way to the elevators.
The building that housed Thunder FM 103.2 was fairly new. The appliances and furniture all corresponded to a decent red and orange color scheme and there was only one hole in the wall. I heard it was from someone who got fired. I waved to the main secretary and walked to my booth. I had a Sunday-Wednesday work shift from 5:00-8:00 PM. This was the easiest for both the station and me so there were no complaints. My DJ name was Mellow Mags and I was a teen spokesperson. I would go to school like a research field trip and collect data. Then I would blast it on the radio, letting out the news that teens want their parents to hear. I would also play good music and strive to play short commercials. Beggars can’t be choosers.
