I cried so hard that I was sick. And then I drank until I was also sick.

The next morning, I'm back in my oversized hoodie, looking like death. Mr Harvey, one of the two teachers I thought wasn't too bad, surprised us with a test first thing, which made me re-think having liked him.

Collective groans. Chairs screeching. Heavy sighs.

I collapse into the chair, my head hammering. I pull the hood over my head, trying to shield my eyes from the fluorescent lights. Mr Harvey passes out the papers and I stare at it blankly.

The sound of pens scratching against paper starts once the timer begins. Mr Harvey turns to the board and starts writing. As quietly as possible, I stand. Eyes turn to me as I quietly step around desks and slip out the door, which was thankfully still open. I pick up a run and sprint down the corridor. I run until my lungs burn and I fall to my knees, hitting the ground. I swallow thick spit and try to calm my ragged breathing.

My phone pings in my bag. I forgot I had it in there. I pull it out to see a reminder that my counselling session is at 10 a.m.

I go to my room and shower and put makeup on, trying to make myself feel a little better. I dress in nicer clothes, ignoring the fact that I'm going to be in deep shit for walking out of class like that.

Before I leave, I take a few gulps of the remaining bourbon, and head to the office.

After getting lost twice, I arrive three minutes late. I knock on the door and tug at my sleeve while I wait.

When the door open, a tall girl stands there. Shiny brown hair, beautiful skin, gorgeous smile. She's dressed in a high-waist pencil skirt and a blouse that's open enough to reveal a jagged scar across her chest. I inhale sharply, my hand laying across my own chest.

"Addison?" she smiles. "Come in."

I walk inside the office. The desk is matte black, with gold lettering Mrs Denvers. Her office is colourful, with two soft-looking lounges. She sits in one, folding one leg over the other.

"Mrs Denvers?" I mumble.

She smiles again. "You can call me Hayley."

***

I stare around the room for a long time.

"My friend recommended you see me?" she starts. She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear and the ring on her left finger sparkles in the light. "She said you've made a few trips to the infirmary recently."

My thumb runs over the bandage. "I've been passing out. Or blacking out. I don't know the difference, but it's happening a lot."

"Do you think there is something that triggers this?"

"I get a lot of..." I trail off. "Memories."

"Are they memories from something traumatic that has happened to you?" she asks gently.

"Yeah. They fill my head and I can't escape it." Tug, tug, tug. Her eyes flick to the movement. "Can I ask something personal?"

"Sure."

"Your scar."

She tilts her head. "Are you asking me how I got it?"

"I guess so, yeah. And..."

"And what?"

"And how you can show it off like that?" my voice drops low. I clear my throat. "I don't mean for that to be rude..."

She shakes her head. "It's not rude at all. It's something I couldn't talk about for a long time, but I can now. My father was murdered and his attacker cut me. I'm not ashamed to show it anymore, because it represents everything I have been through and that I survived."

"Wow," I whisper.

"This school helped me a lot, you know," she continues. "I was lost. Not myself, angry. Then I met a boy. And he changed my life." She moves her ring with her finger and glances at it. "And that boy is now my husband."

"You attended Downright High?" I exclaim, sitting up straighter in my chair. "And you married the boy you met here? Wow."

"Yep. I'm a nurse now, but work here part-time as a guidance counsellor."

My eyes move to her desk, where I see a photo of a man holding a baby. The guy is jaw-droppingly attractive. Ultra-blue eyes, dark hair... he looks similar to Wren, in some ways. He's smiling at the camera, holding a little girl.

"Is that him?" I ask. "And your daughter?"

She nods. "It is."

"Wow," I whisper, again. "What's her name?"

"Amelia. Millie, for short."

I have no idea why, but I burst into tears. Hayley looks startled for a moment before reaching for the box of tissues between us.

"Oh, Addison, are you all right?" she asks in concern.

"Yes, sorry," I sputter, wiping at my face. "I don't know what's come over me. This is so embarrassing."

No matter how many times I try, I can't stop. Deep, chest-heaving sobs tear from me and I fold over, letting the tears run down my fingers. Hayley leaves for a moment and returns with cold water. My hands shake so much that the water sloshes over the side. I drain the cup and feel a little better once I have. I clear my face and sit back in my chair, exhaling deeply.

"Feel better?" she asks.

"Actually, yes."

"Are you okay to keep talking or would you like to go?"

"Can I stay?"

"Of course," she has such a nice smile. A smile that makes you want to smile, too. "How are you finding it here? Have you made some friends?"

"Sort of, yeah. My roommate is really nice."

Something passes on her face for a moment, but she doesn't say anything.

"And I've met a guy who I really like. Nothing has really happened yet. He sort of looks like your husband."

"Really?" she glances to the photo. "He must be very handsome."

I laugh. "He is."

I end up telling her about the Jennings and how I got kicked out. I tell her how much I've been struggling here. I cry some more. I laugh a little. And then cry more.

By the time I leave the office, it's almost 1 p.m. I've spent many hours in there, without realising. My throat is raw, my nose clogged, and my eyes dried out, but I feel so much lighter. Like I've shed a layer of skin.

The school day hasn't finished yet, and I track down Wren in the hallway between classes.

"Woah, are you okay?" he asks, seeing my tear-stained face.

"Yeah, I am. Do you want to go to the gym?"

He looks surprised. He glances at the time. He should be heading to fifth class.

"Fuck it. Let's go."

I grin. "Hey, Wren?"

"Yeah?"

"I really like you."

He looks down at me, those gorgeous smile lines appearing on his face.

"I really like you, too."

------------------

Happy Monday! Thoughts? :)