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Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 2

She was silent for so long. She had an odd look in her eye, like she was trying to tell me something, but she didn't know how. I wish she would just tell me... It looked like it was really bugging her.
"Are you alright, Madi? Did something happen?" Her head snapped towards me.
"No, of course not. I'm fine, don't worry, Ash." I didn't believe her. She was obviously lying. I pulled the car into the driveway. I leaned over and hugged her as tight as I could. I wish she would just fucking tell me already!
"Ash," I looked at her, praying she would say something. "I can't breathe." Dammit! I pulled away.
"Uhh, look, I know it's super awkward for me to be here, since we haven't talked in a while, but, it'll get easier." That's it! She probably thought that she couldn't talk to me. After all, it had been eight fucking years!
"You know you can talk to me, right? About anything." I blurted it out without thinking first, and by the look on her face I definitely caught her by surprise.
"..Yeah... Sure. Of course." She looked down at her bracelets. What was I missing?
"You don't sound convinced." I took her hands in mine. "Madi, no matter what happened while I was gone, I'm still your big brother. I'll always be here for you. No matter what.." Okay, it was starting to really bother me. Wait.. Why was she wearing so many bracelets? And why was she so careful not to move them?
"Madi... I have to ask you something. And please, please don't lie to me. Okay?" She nodded slowly, the obviously fake smile falling from her lips.
"Have you been cutting yourself?" Silence. Dammit... How did I not notice before? Why didn't she tell me?
"You're reading way too far into this whole 'sadness' thing you think I have." That fake smile was back.

And like that, she was out of the car, and grabbing her things. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration clear on my features. I hit the steering wheel. Once. Twice. Then I lost count.
"Ash, what the hell!?" I looked over at Madi.
"Take off your bracelets." I nearly whispered it, after calmly exiting the car. I knew I was about to cry, but, she was my little sister! Of all the things that had happened in my life, this was the worst. By far.
"Ash, I told you I-"
"Take them off Madi." I was getting seriously impatient. Suddenly, the front door opened, and out came Andy. Damn.. I needed to talk to her alone. She looked at the floor and for the first time in forever, I saw my baby sister cry. I held her tight, and Andy came over as well.
"Is everything alright?" He was genuinely concerned. He literally was the best friend I had.
"Not really.." I replied. Andy nodded.
"I'll give you guys some space." He was about to leave.
"Wait.." she spoke up, finally. "Your the vocalist, Andy, right?" He smiled.
"That's me." She smiled at him through the tears.
"I'm Madi."
"I know. Ashley told us all about you." He smiled. "And for the record, Madi.. I think you're an amazing person. You shouldn't be hurting yourself." He walked back into the house, probably to hold off the others from coming outside as well. Madi looked taken back by what Andy had said.
"I care about you. So please, just take off your bracelets. Please, Madi, let me see your scars."
She nodded, and slowly removed all of them. There were scars on both of her wrists, going up her arms. She was so beautiful and now she was littered with scars. The proof of the war. The one fought with herself. And somehow, those scars made her look even more amazing to me. She was so much stronger than I knew. And none of them looked fresh, which meant she hadn't done it in a while. I sighed internally.
"Do you have scars anywhere else?" I asked cautiously. She shook her head, and I honestly believed her.

We walked through the front door and everyone was smiling. I walked to the kitchen to clear my head and get a drink after showing Madi around. I saw the band introduce themselves to her even though she already knew who everyone was. I figured she must have been keeping up with the band. I was so glad to have her there.