Page 156 of Releasing 10
“Well, at least you’re human again,” my sister replied, using her hip to close the fridge. “You freaked the hell out of us the last time you spiraled.”
Yeah, I already knew that.
Caoimhe had told me countless times.
Problem was, I had no memory of it.
Apparently, the new medication the doctors were trialing me on was the cause of my lethargy and I would feel better soon. I wasn’t sure about feeling better, but I definitely didn’t feel as hollow as before.
I could get of bed again, which was something I’d been struggling with for a while. I wasn’t screaming and raving, either—another bonus. I was back attending school regularly, and my parents were watching me with hawk eyes.
I wasn’t sure if I was out of the woods yet; I was afraid to get my hopes up on stability when my mind could snatch it away in an instant, but I wanted to be okay again.
When there was a knock on the front door, followed a few moments later by the sound of my sister calling out, “Liz, lover boy’s here for your daily visit,” I bit my lip and smiled.
Because if I had a hope of being normal, then I had to fight for it.
And I would.
For him.
PART 10
Igniting Flames and Embers
BIRTHDAY WISHES AND TRUANT SISTERS
Hugh
JUNE 9, 1999
WHENICLIMBED ON THE BUS AFTER SCHOOL ONWEDNESDAY, IDIDN’T BOTHER TRYINGto conceal the way my eyes sought her out. The minute I found Liz halfway down the aisle, on the right-hand side, I made a beeline for her.
Tossing my bag on the floor between the seats, I dropped into the seat beside her and draped an arm over her shoulders. “Happy birthday, Liz.” Feeling brave, I pressed a kiss to her cheek and then dutifully ignored the wolf whistles and teasing from my classmates.
“Thanks, Hugh,” she chuckled, shifting closer until she was snuggled under my arm. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too,” I replied, relaxing into my seat. “Your present’s in my bag. I’ll give it to you when we get to your place.”
“You know I don’t want presents.”
“Andyouknow I’m still going to give you presents.”
She smiled. “How long do you get to stay at my house for?”
“Half nine,” I replied, fucking delighted at the thought. “Mam said she’ll pick me up after her shift.”
The beamer of a smile that spread across her face assured me that Liz was as delighted as I was about the late pickup.
She was doing so much better since March. The new combination of medication she was taking seemed to be really working for her, and I found myself encouraging her every day tokeep going. I knew she hated the pills, but I also knew, without them, she wouldn’t be able to function.
“How are you eleven already?” I mused, shaking my head. “Feels like it was only yesterday that you were six years old and sitting on this bus, sniffing my neck like a little puppy.”
“Oh my God,” she snickered, resting her cheek in the crook of my arm. “Ididsniff your neck.”
“At least you only sniffed me,” I shot back, chuckling. “I was a lot luckier than the other kids you decided to bite chunks out of.”
“To be fair, the puppy reference is a lot kinder than I deserve.” She laughed again before adding, “I was feral back then.”
