Page 93 of A Pretty Fixation

Grandma leaves me on the floor when she’sexhausted herself. Hours drift by until the room starts to darken. It hurts toomuch to move, so I continue lying there.

I hear her groaning and stumbling around later on.It seems she went out and bought more alcohol. She’ll finish it, pass outdrunk, wake up, and torment me in another way.

This is my life, and no one will save me.

I’m still crying as the dark fog clears, and Ifeel emotionally exhausted when I open my eyes.

Dr. Sharma is sitting beside me, holding my hand.“There you are.” She relaxes her shoulders and straightens.

Mom and Dad rush over. Both look horrified.

“What happened?” My voice comes out raspy.

“I found you in a daze in the room,” Scarlett saysfrom the doorway. “You were mumbling. I called your parents.”

I look around, recognizing the warm purple paintand my wardrobe with the photo collage of high school moments.

I’m home.

“How do you feel, sweetheart?” Mom asks, brushingaside my hair.

“My head still hurts.”

“Here.” Dad grabs a glass of water and aspirinfrom my nightstand. “Take this.”

I sit up to swallow the pill and wash it down.Afterward, I tell them, “Everything rushed back. I became overwhelmed.”

“You experienced a massive reemergence ofmemories,” Dr. Sharma states. “Did something happen prior?”The possible endof my relationship.

Thinking about it brings fresh tears to my eyes.

“Honey?” Dad squeezes my hand. “What is it?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Mom wipes my cheek. “Oh, sweetheart, you—”

“Please. I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep for awhile.”

They frown.

Dad squeezes Mom’s shoulder. “Come on, dear. Lether rest.”

Mom still looks hesitant, but she allows him tolead her from the room.

“Call me when you’re ready to talk,” Dr. Sharmasays. “And we have to, Jordyn. It’s imperative you address it now that all thememories are back.” She leaves me with those words.

Scarlett releases a sad sigh. “Want me to go,too?”

“No. Wait.”

Closing the door, she walks over and sits on thebed. “What happened, JD?”

“Caleb knows,” I choke out. “He knows I’m notDove. Even worse, Dove died.”

Her shoulders droop. “Oh my god.”

“He’ll never see her again, Scar. I think he feelsguilty that he spent all this time with me thinking I was her.”

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