You Saved Me

Katie's POV: When I wake up, it's still dark, and then someone's passing me a glass of water. As my eyes focus, I see it's Red, and I sit up from my bed, as I wince at the familiar stinging pain of the cuts all over my body.
I silently thank her, and take a drink from the water, then ask, "What are you doing here, Red?"
"We're here because of you," another familiar voice says, and when I turn I find Rocket. He sighs, then says, "Wasn't it you who told me this wasn't worth it, Mic?"
He holds both my arms up so I can see the fresh cuts and old scars along my arms. I look down in shame, then say, "You don't understand."
"I think we understand better than anyone, Micro," Red says, "We've been there. We know the addiction is a living hell, but at the same time a blessing."
"I couldn't feel. I thought I was dead. I had to be sure I was still alive," I whisper emotionlessly, staring at my arms, "This is the only way I know how. This is the only thing that helped."
"There are better ways of coping, and you know that," Red says sternly.
"Fine, whatever," I say, rolling over, and pulling the blankets over my head. I really don't want their shit on top of everything else.
As I close my eyes though, the blanket is whipped off me, onto the floor, and my eyes spring open again, as I sit bolt straight.
"What the fuck?!" I yell at Rocket.
"You need to fucking listen to us!" he shouts back at me, putting a finger in my face, "For once in your fucking life, just listen to someone who fucking cares about your sorry ass, and don't fucking ignoring or interrupting us!"
I glare at him, then say in a low, agravated tone, "You better move that finger, boy, because I have no problem fucking biting it the fuck off."
He doesn't move, but Red pulls his hand away, and says, "We're not going to get anywhere by being in each others faces. Micro, you can't keep doing this. This isn't healthy."
"Oh? And how would you know?" I demand.
"I know, because I've watched you and Rocket both suffer through it, and because...Because I used to do it as well. You can't see my scars, since I never cut as deep as you two, but I still understand the need for pain, just to know you're alive once the emotional pain has gotten to be too much," she tells me, taking my hand gently between hers.
Then Jayy and Dahvie bothe peek their heads in, and Jayy asked, "You guys okay in here?"
I sigh, thne nod and say, "Yeah. We're good. Thanks, bro."
"Alright. Well, if you guys need anything, let us know," Dahvie says softly, then they leave.
I peek up at Red and Rocket, then say, "I'm sorry, guys. Please forgive me."
Rocket sighs, then gently touches my cheek and says, "There's nothing to forgive, Micro. If anyone should be asking forgiveness, it should be me."
"Don't worry about it," I tell him, gently placing my hand on his, then add, "You guys have not only become my best friends, but you're like family. I love you, guys."
They smile at me, then say in unison, "We love you too, Micro."
"Get some sleep. We'll be here in the morning, and we'll talk more then," Red says, getting up and placing the chairs they were in, back over by my book shelf. She then takes Rocket's hand and together, they walk out of my bedroom.
I pull the canopy closed, then look at my scars and fresh wounds, counting each one. When I'm done, I sigh, only now realizing how many there are, and get up from bed. I pull on my Hello Kitty slipper boots, and walk down stairs, to find Jayy and Dahvie at the breakfast bar, each with a glass of Jack Daniels.
When I enter the kitchen, they smile at me, and I return it with a weak smile of my own, as I grab the apple juice from the fridge and pour myself some, then grab a thing of crackers to munch on. I then walk over to the cabinet at the far end of the bar, and pull out two Advil PM's, and walk back over to my brothers.
I plop in the chair next to Jayy, sink the meds with my juice, then lean my head on Jayy's arm. He looks down at me, and softly brushes my hair from my face, as I finally relax.
"I'm sorry," I whisper to Jayy and Dahvie.
Jayy looks sad for a moment as he removes his hand from my hair, and settles it over my shoulders, then Dahvie reaches across the counter, and takes my hand. He kisses one of the fresh cuts, over the lyrics I had tattooed on my wrist, and says, "Don't worry about it, kiddo. We were just worried, is all."
"I know, but I swore, not only to you, but to myself that I wouldn't do this again," I tell them through a yawn.
"We all make mistakes, Micro. What matters, is how you plan to right the wrong," Jayy says, "But you can think of all that shit tomorrow. Let's get you back to bed now, before you pass out."
I softly nod my head, my eyes already feeling heavy, and then feel Dahvie's familiar hold, as he picks me up bridal style. Halfway up the stairs I sleepily say, "I love you, bros. You two made me want to live, more than those stupid nuns ever did. All they thought I needed was an exorcism."
"I would say you do need one," Jayy says, "But not the kind they wanted to do on you. You need to exercise these demons with love and joy, Micro, but that's another story for another time."
Ashley's POV: The next day, I call Andy to come over and ask him to gather up Katie's things and take them to her. I tell him I would do it, but it would hurt too much. He thankfully understands, and takes care of it without an issue.
When he leaves, I sit on the sofa in the living room, and stare at the ring I had given her. I think of how her eyes lit up when she saw it, and the tears that filled them when I made my promise to her. How the moonlight kissed her beautiful, smooth skin, and all I wanted to do was pull her close and make love to her right there on the beach.
And then the way she was so good with those kids at the beach the night she gave me my promise ring. How she was so open to them, and the way she watched them play. She would make a wonderful mother someday, but to who's child? I doubt it will be mine after all this shit went down.
I should have just done what she said, and put the damn book back, but no. I had to take things too fucking far. I didn't show her the respect she deserves. Hell, maybe it's better this way. I don't deserve her. I never did.

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