My stepbrother and I

[chapter 37]

She looks at me dumbfounded but she obliges and pushes me and the swing jolts forward. I move my feet back and forth and Madison moves to the side of the swing set.

I move my feet more and I try to reach higher with each move. When I can't go any higher I just look at the sky and then I'm back down. I push harder and I reach again that point. And then unconsciously I unwrap my hands from the chains and try to catch something that can't be reached. Voices echo in my head and in a moment I am sat flat down on the ground on my ass and a pain surges through my whole spine. I can't speak. The voices still echo in my head. Or is it just someone screaming at me?

"Ellie what the fuck!" The voice says.

I can't speak. I open my mouth and try to speak but the words just don't come out.

Someone reaches on my side and I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head and look at them. I am met with a very shocked and concerned Madison. I open my mouth again but still, no words come out.

"Ellie. Talk to me, please." She says.

I can't speak. Maybe I am in shock because of the fall.

"I'll call an ambulance." She tries to move but I stop her with my hand.

"No." Someone says. I take a minute to realize that the voice is mine. I don't even recognize it. It's barely audible.

"Ellie? Are you okay? Why did you jump?" She asks concerned.

"I..I am fine. I just...I don't know why I did it Mad." I tell her. I still don't recognize my voice.

"Oh, Ellie."

"Are you hurt?" She asks.

Mentally or physically? Cause mentally I am in so much pain.

"My butt. It hurts a lot. Other than that I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." I tell her.

"Of course I need to worry about how you feel. You are my bestie." She says.

"I don't deserve you Madison." I tell her.

"What are you talking about?"

"Since I came back I haven't even called you once. Not even once. I just forgot all about you. I was so caught up in my mind and Patrick and I forgot about you. I don't deserve you." I explain honestly.

"I am not mad. You could have called. You should have called. You had to call me but I am not mad at you. I forgive you." She smiles.

How can she be so good?

"I am the worst friend ever.'' I hide my face in my hands.

"Is that the reason why you where so sad?" She asks.

"Mostly." I say.

"Oh, Ellie. I am not mad at you. I could never be mad at you. Get it in that thick skull of yours." She says and taps on my head.

She stretches her hand and I grab it. She tries to help me stand on my feet and when I finally do, I wince. I landed on my butt. That was brutal.

"Ow." I wince again.

"Come on let's go." She wraps her hand around my waist and I lean on her. Each move hurts. There will be a huge bruise on each of my butt cheeks tomorrow I am sure.

"Don't worry about the bruises there." She laughs.

"I spoke out loud, didn't I?" I smack my forehead.

"Yes you did." She still laughs.

We walk and I complain the entire time till we reach the hut. I open the door and I am faced with a very worried Nick.