ALEX'S POV
We spent an extra day in Texas. I love Texas so much, especially during the summer when there is the state fair! Today so far is a pretty boring day. Ellie messaged me telling me how the team did in the tournament. They sadly lost. Trevor and some people online have been sending me more messages.. and drawing me as a whale or an elephant.
I would do anything to have that thin piece of metal. I need to take my pain away with more pain. I need my blade, but I promised Mom. I can't break a promise.. I just can't!
"Mom.. I need to-" I started talking as I walked into the office that Grandma and Grandpa have.
"Shh," She held up one finger to silence me. "I'm talking to Scooter." She mouthed. "Can it wait?"
- TRIGGER WARNING -
"Uh.. yeah.." I mumbled before walking out. I ran upstairs to the bathroom and grabbed a razor. I sat on the bed while looking at the razor. I broke it apart and put it against my skin. I pressed harder and harder. I realized what I was doing. I needed Dallas. She helped Mom a lot when she was younger. I quickly put on a hoodie and put the remains of the razor in my hoodie pockets.
- TRIGGER WARNING OVER -
"Have you seen Dallas?" I asked as I ran downstairs.
"She went to the store to grab a few things. Why do you ask?" Grandpa replied. I didn't reply as I ran out the front door and pulled out my phone. I dialed Dally's number.
"Hey, bug. What's up?" Her voice echoed through the phone.
"D-Dally, I need you.. M-Mom is busy and I.." I choked out.
"Calm down, baby girl. I'm on my way back. Are you outside?" I heard her car door shut in the background. "I'm putting you on speaker."
"I.. It hurts, Dallas." I whimpered out. Her black Chevy pulled into the driveway and she quickly ran up to me. I held onto her like my life depended on it.
"Look at me, Alex. What's the matter? Want to go for a ride and talk about it? Get some breakfast?"
"C-Can we?" I asked quietly.
"Of course, bug. I'll text Demi to let her know." She said as she opened the passenger seat door so I could get up front. We arrived at an old looking diner. Elvis Presley pictures, guitars hanging, paintings of cars. We were instantly seated.
"What would you girls like to drink?" A waitress asked. She had long, curly blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, a slim figure, and she looked to be in her late twenties.
"Milk please." I told her. Dallas smiled because I ordered milk instead of water.
"Coffee. With creamer and sugar. Can it be large by any chance?" Dallas added. The waitress went to get us our drinks. "What happened, baby?" Dallas asked as I was fidgeting with my sleeves.
"I.. I failed, Dallas.." I said as I hesitantly put the remains of the razor on the table.
"Alex.." She said looking at me. I looked away as I teared up. "I'm not mad. Can I see?" She sat on my side of the booth next to me. I nodded. She rolled up my sleeves to reveal the fresh mark. I saw tears in her eyes as she kissed the mark.
"I.. I'm sorry.." I whispered.
"Don't be sorry.. what caused it?" She questioned as she lifted my face to make eye contact with me.
"T-Trevor and everyone online.. they won't stop.." I spoke.
"Don't listen to them, bug. You're stronger than them. You're more mature than them. You're better than them. They're just lowlife pieces of shits who don't know how to respect anyone. You're perfect. Okay? I love you so much. You're my baby niece." She pulled me into a hug and kissed my head.
"Do I have to eat.. I'm not that hungry.." I said as our food and drinks arrived.
"Can you at least eat some of the hash browns?" Dallas looked up at me. I nodded as I slowly began to eat.
"I'm proud of you, bug." Dallas told me as I got in the front seat.
"Why? I still hurt myself.." I quietly spoke.
"You went to someone for help before you did worse. You also ate all of your hash browns." She smiled at me before we drove off to the house.
"Only because of your stupid but funny jokes, Dally." I said right before turning on the radio. "Oh! I like this song!" I exclaimed as Confident by my Mom came on.
"Same!" Dallas said and we both laughed.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING, WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING, WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING CONFIDENT!" I jokingly sang out.
"You weirdo." Dallas smirked when we pulled into the driveway.
"I am Demi Lovato's daughter after all." I laughed. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Mom pacing back and forth. "Mom?"
"Alex!" Mom exclaimed as she pulled me into her embrace and then dragged me into our room.
"What's happening?" I asked as I sat down on the bed.
"Dallas texted me what happened.. I'm so so so sorry! I was too busy talking to Scooter when I should've paid attention to you. I'm sorry, baby girl." She held me in her arms as she kissed my head.
"It's fine. I understand you have work to do." I reassured her.
"Can I see, baby?" She asked.
"I guess.. I have no choice." I replied as I rolled up my sleeves. I showed her the mark from where I held the razor down on my skin. She also kissed the mark like Dallas did earlier.
"I'm so proud of you, baby girl." She whispered in my ear.
"Why though?" I made eye contact her as some tears fell out of my eyes.
"You got help before you did worse. You talked to someone. I'm so proud that you stopped yourself and talked to someone. Also, Dallas told me you ate a plate of hash browns." She smiled as she continued to hold me in her embrace. She wiped away some of my tears with the pad of her thumb. I hid my face against the crook of her neck, taking in her vanilla perfume scent.
"I love you, Mama."
"I love you too, baby girl." She spoke as we stayed, me in her comforting embrace.