Then *Poof* I'm Always There: Book 3 (Final) #Wattys2014

Chapter 17: I'm A Maniac

One person's craziness is another person's reality- Tim Burton

~Mark's P.O.V.~

The apartment was a bit chilly when I got home. The balcony door was open again, and unsurprisingly she was out there. When will she learn? I sighed and put my things on the coffee table, then walked over to her. The smell of smoke radiated off her again, but I saw no cup full of wine this time, thank god.

"Hey."

"Hey..."

"You okay?"

"No."

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Did you take the medicine I set out for you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I didn't need it."

"You were drunk out of your mind."

"Did it ever occur to you that I lived in the shitty part of L.A. for a whole year? I've drunken so much more than that in one night and was still able to make out what the hell was going on."

"So...you were-"

"Acting."

"Why the hell would you freak me out like that?!"

"I thought if I acted like I was drunk you'd stop scolding me." I groaned and rested my forehead on my hands.

"Look, don't lie or act or anything like that again, okay? Just tell me the truth." She nodded and took another drag of her cigarette. "Get that thing out of your mouth." I took it from her and put it out after she blew smoke from her lips.

"I don't want to go to the clinic."

"Well you're going. Have you drunk anything else in the time I've been gone?"

"No."

"Good. Now get your shoes on. We have to go." I walked back inside and stuffed my wallet back into my pocket. When I turned around to the sound of the door closing, Lexi was standing on the other side. "Lex, please. Come inside."

"You can't tell me what to do!" I sighed and came to her instead.

"I'm sorry. I thought you wanted to get rid of it."

"I do. I don't want it."

"Then why won't you go?" She didn't answer. "Please, Lex. You gotta tell me." She didn't say anything for a moment, but then her crossed arms became looser and she let it out.

"It's embarrassing. It makes me feel like a murderer. I don't want to go in and have all those people stare at me." I pulled her in closer to me and tried my best to comfort her.

"It will be a little embarrassing. But you should not feel like you're a murderer. You aren't. Just know that. I'll be right there with you. Don't worry, okay? It'll be fine." She didn't do or say anything except for clench her arms tighter around me. "Come on. We should go." She finally nodded and let go of me. I led her back into the living room with full expectations she really would go through with it.

"I'm scared." I turned around, seeing her tremble slightly in the shoes she'd just put on. 

"It's okay. I'm here." I took her hand and softly brushed my lips over her knuckles. "You're not going through this alone." A sad smirk became plastered on her face and we walked out the door.