The Edge of Insanity

➳ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

ALEXANDRA SOLACE

I don't want to be here any longer. I want to go home. This isn't even a proper mental institution. Parents are either cruel or stupid to send their kids here.

Mine are cruel... I know that, but even so, I couldn't help the tears that were falling down my face. Why couldn't my dad and mom have loved me like they love my younger brothers?

If they have loved me right, then maybe I wouldn't have been cursed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Maybe I could have been a normal teenage girl that doesn't hurt herself, that doesn't think about suicide for the solution to every single problem.

I sigh.

Earlier in the day, I was assigned a caretaker, Adrien. He seemed okay. He was cute for an older guy, if I was being completely honest here. I shook my head, trying to regain my thoughts.

Suddenly, there was loud banging at the door and I jumped up, my heart rate picking up. I remember how my dad would constantly do that when I get into trouble, only for him to rip my clothes off and force himself on me, his way of punishment. If he was feeling particularly mean that day, he would spank my bare bottom until it was black and blue.

I took a deep breath. I'm not home. I'm safe... I guess. When the loud banging on my door finally ceased, I calmed down.

I hesitantly opened my door to see Layla, Rory, Jayden and Brooklyn standing there. I opened my door wider, perplexed. The people from my group therapy sessions?

I glanced at each of them in turn. Brooklyn was grinning, her hand on Jayden's wrist. Jayden looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Layla looked kind of annoyed. And Rory just simply smiled.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Hi?" I said questioningly. My eyes lingered on Jayden. His eyes were so dull. I pursed my lip. I can understand that. Jayden stared down at me and I looked away to look at Rory.

"What's going on?" I asked Rory. He was the only one I truly talked to here so far, I looked to him for answers.

"Hey," Rory says. "Do you want to hang out with us?"

"Hang out?" I asked. It seemed like a foreign term. I've only had one friend growing up, but her parents were way too strict to hang out outside of school. "Like.... with all of you?"

Jayden didn't even seem like he wanted to be here. Rory was giving me the vibe that he was just trying to be polite. Layla probably couldn't care either way. And as for Brooklyn--she is possibly just starved for some friends.

Rory nods.

Brooklyn let go of Jayden's wrist and started speaking before Rory could say anything else. "I think it'd be awesome if we can be friends!" she says. "Even if you are new! Aren't you just lucky to make friends the very first week you're here?"

I offered Brooklyn a small smile. She was definitely jealous that she's been here longer, yet hasn't had much luck in making friends. Even the people she gathered didn't seem all to.... keen on being friends. Well, Rory is a maybe.

"Sure," I said, softly to where it came off as a mutter. I wasn't so sure if this was a good idea. As long as I don't get too attached it should be fine, right?

"Okay, that makes five," Layla comments. She looks at Brooklyn. "Happy yet?"

But Brooklyn shakes her head. "We need to go get Declan and Ryder."

Jayden snorts, but their was no amusement behind his laughter. "Seriously? Those two?" he questioned. "You really think that's such a good idea?" 

"Yes--" Brooklyn started to say.

"Declan, maybe, but Ryder?" Jayden said. "Good luck with that. Can I leave now? I really doubt you'd get any other recruits--"

"Jayden," Rory warned.

"It's fine, Rory," Brooklyn says, staring up at Jayden. "I can handle someone doubting me. Come on guys--don't even think about leaving, Jay--we're going to get Declan. And then Ryder. Just you watch!"

***

DECLAN GONZALEZ

I was sitting alone in my room. Though I didn't feel alone at all. I felt like I was being watched, though at the moment, I didn't see or hear anything.

Until there was knocking at my door. Loud, annoying knocking. I gritted my teeth and opened the door to see people from my group sessions. The anxious, the traumatized, the depressed, the bulimic and the borderline. Well, this is quite the group that is standing in front of me.

"The hell do you guys want?" I asked, putting on the tough guy act. I couldn't help but wonder if they were actually here or if I was imagining them. Maybe they never existed at all. Maybe I'm still trapped in the darkness and everything else was imagined. Damn, I really need medication.

The girls all looked at Rory, while Jayden leaned back against the wall. This dude looks tired. "Well," Rory begins, "we think it'd be good to all be friends while stuck in this mental institution."

"This was Brooklyn's idea was it?"

Everyone nodded except for Brooklyn who crossed her arms and pouted. I noticed that it was only people from our group sessions. If I'm right, then Ryder is next--unless if they're leaving him out, which doesn't seem like a thing Brooklyn and Rory would do. Layla and Jayden, yeah. Alexandra, I don't know her all too well to really say.

Having friends doesn't even sound too bad. I kind of want to, but that doesn't mean I'm going to drop the tough exterior that I have.

"So are you in or not?" Layla said as if she already suspected the answer. Before I had even opened my mouth, she was ready to leave.

But I grinned, deciding to surprise them.

"Yeah, I guess. Just don't be too annoying or anything."

"Ha!" Brooklyn grinned at Jayden. "I told you, I told you!"

"Shut up," Jayden said.

"Brooklyn, it's not nice to float," Rory scolded, "and Jayden, it's not nice to tell people to shut up."

Jayden rolled his eyes.

I couldn't help but notice that Alexandra hasn't said a word, but I didn't comment. She probably doesn't like talking.

"Now let's go get Ryder!" Brooklyn says. I knew it.

"Really?" Layla groaned. "He's impossible! He doesn't like us at all."

"He likes me well enough," I spoke up. The little guy looks up to me, even though he despises everyone else. "How about you guys go sit down and I'll go get Ryder and then we'll join you, okay?"

"Good idea, thank you," Rory says.

"But--" Brooklyn starts to say.

"Your bubbly personality would've scared him off," Layla pointed out.

After a few complains from Brooklyn and telling me where to meet them, they left.

Time to get Ryder.