Don't Let Me Fall(76)

threatened they’d take my money and shove it up my ass if I quit, I couldn’t give up.

I don’t want to give up…

When I got to work, Toby was on my ass about the whole almost mugged thing last night so I told him to relax. He stayed all night and drove me home when Peyton’s shift was over. We

made a pit stop before that though.

I got a new tattoo.

I texted Logan telling him I wish I could have seen him after classes but he had to move his things into the apartment before traffic started. We’ll see each other tomorrow so I’m

not that heartbroken.

I walked up to my bedroom and stared down at my wrist.

The wrist that could have ended my life if Dad didn’t find me.

I smiled as I traced my fingers over the letters.

‘I love you. Always.’



- 16 -



“How do I look?” Kelsey asked for the thousandth time in the last twenty minutes as she grabbed the bottom of her dress and twirled a few times. I actually like that I wasn’t

like this at the age of fourteen. I didn’t have boyfriends. I didn’t care what I looked like. I threw on clothes knowing boys would stare because I showed too much skin. They

always did a double take when I walked by. I was never self-conscious.

Red flag for not being a normal girl.

“You look beautiful,” I said watching my sister as she nervously ran her fingers through her hair and adjusted her cleavage to head to a dinner with Micha and his parents. It’s

Christmas Eve so she’s going there tonight, and tomorrow Micha will come here. Kelsey didn’t want to miss my birthday…and Christmas.

“Do I look sluty? I’m having dinner with his parents. Micha said not to worry. Should I change? The cleavage is too much. Right? I should–”

“Kelsey,” I said grabbing her good shoulder. “Shut up. You met his parents already. This isn’t different. You look great, Micha will have something to stare at and his parents

will get to embarrass him when he starts drooling. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

“Not for me,” she said.

“Hello? Did you not hear me? Micha will be staring! He’s going to look at you. You are beautiful. Your boyfriend won’t be able to look away.” That’s not the best advice to give

her but she smiled and the nerves went away.

“Okay. I get it. Thanks,” she blushed.

I squeezed her arms which aren’t so boney anymore and kissed her forehead. “Just don’t have sex, okay. I mean, me telling you not to have it will make you want to but just think

about things before you do stuff.”

“We’re not going to have sex,” Kelsey said blushing harder. “His parents will be there the whole time.” I gave her a look. “Yeah, that doesn’t mean anything.”

We laughed and sat on her bed.

“Micha’s a nice kid but if he pressures you into doing anything I will squeeze his nuts dry, okay? He won’t have kids. Ever,” I said giving her a look I hope passes as ‘I’m

serious.’

“What is he going to pressure me into? A hand job under the table?” My eyes widened because I wasn’t expecting that. Not from her! “What? Just because I’m a virgin doesn’t

mean I can’t know these things? Relax, Becka. I have standards. And I’m not that kind of girl.” Her eyes found mine and she smiled. “I’m not you.” I rolled my eyes, she nudged

my side. “And Micha isn’t like that. We don’t talk about sex, hand jobs, blowjobs, anal, sixty-nine, cum–”

“Stop!” I said raising a hand. “Please. You’re my little sister. You shouldn’t be talking about these things until you’re at least sixteen.” It’s weird. She’s growing up

and I missed it.

Kelsey laughed and grabbed her phone when it vibrated.

“He’s here!” she squealed. I was stuck looking at her while her whole face lit up. She’s so…carefree. Happy. You wouldn’t know she was sick. And then look at me. I lose my

best friend and I go batshit crazy/suicidal. I gave up on life. And she didn’t. “Okay, I have to go before Dad embarrasses me. Have fun tonight. And remember, don’t get pressured

into doing things.” She winked and I rolled my eyes.

We got downstairs to find Matty and Finn at the door, talking to Micha (more like interrogating) while Dad was outside talking to his parents. Kelsey was all smiles as she burst

through the guys and took her place beside Micha. They’re adorable. I can’t stop smiling when I see them together.

“You two have fun,” I said smiling. “Micha, take care of my sister.” He’s supposed to be on bed rest but he ignored his parents for Kelsey. Such a dumbass!

“Always,” he said taking her hand and giving her a smile that can melt anyone in its path. Swoon! He’s still a dumbass though.

Dad started walking up to us and the guys asked more questions trying to keep him longer so Dad can start with the interrogation. Me being the good sister, I pushed the young couple

out toward the car, past Dad and his stop-walking-right-now look and held the door open for them as they got in Micha’s dad’s car. Mr. and Mrs. Henson were all smiles so I said ‘