Trigger Warning

       We pulled into my drive way and I took a deep breath before opening my door and stepping out of the car. I leaned my head back in to retrieve my bag and say a quick "thank you" to the Drakens. They nodded solemnly with a sympathetic look. I was really close with Alex's family. They were family to me. They understood that I was about to be yelled at. I gave a small smile before sighing and walking to the front door.

I pushed open the door to see my parents head whip towards me from the couch.

"Megan!" my mother cried from the couch leaping up and rushing to me. She raised her hands and I flinched expecting a gentle slap or something. She wrapped her around me and I released into her warmth. To be honest, I really missed my mom. "We were so worried about you," she cooed pulling away to look at me, tears in her eyes.

Well, this is not what I expected.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you tell us where you were going? Why do your eyes look purple?" she gasped, " Were you doing drugs? Megan Lee! How dare you! You should know bet-"

Now this is more like my mother.

"Mom!" I cut her off earning a look. "I'll explain everything in a minute and you know better than to think that I, of all people, would do drugs."

"Well, what was I supposed to suspect, running off with some boy you just met," she scoffed turning away.

My jaw dropped to the ground.

Did she really think I would do that? The thought is just disgusting to me. How dare she accuse me of such a thing!

"Well, excuse me for trying to save my butt after my best friend steals a freaking spell book that we had no idea existed!" They turned to face me, rage and surprise covering their faces. "Yeah, that's right! She used it! She probably wouldn't have had she known what it is! Speaking of which, why didn't I know about it? I've been a good daughter! I get good grades, I work hard, I'm responsible, I own up to my mistakes even if their mostly Alex," I said ticking them off on my fingers. "I did everything just the way you raised me, but you still kept this huge secret from me. What even are you? Wizards? Magicians? Why did I never know!" I shouted taking deep breaths to recover from my outburst. My rage faded as I saw the looks on my parents faces.

"I-I-I'm so sorry," I whispered covering my face with my hands.

"Meg, we- we were trying to protect you," My dad replied running a hand through his hair.

Protect me? No. You didn't. You call all that happened safe and protected?

I knew this would happen eventually, my mom sighed inside her head.

"Well you sure did a great job preventing it, mom!" I shouted my rage overcoming me again.

"Megan Lee!" my dad shouted a stern look on his face, "Don't you talk to your mother like that! Go to your room! You'll get to enjoy there for a while. You're grounded missy."

"You're so unfair! I did what I thought was best in the situation! You haven't even let me explain!" I shouted back.

"Another time, Meg," my mother replied softly nodding towards the stairs. I hoisted my bag onto my back and trudged up the stairs.

I stopped at the top and turned around, "Can I at least visit Alex?"

They exchanged a look before turning to me. My mom answered me smoothly, "Only while she's recovering. Once she's better no."

Once she's better? That gives me like two weeks! They're grounding me longer than two weeks!

"Thanks," I said shortly before turning back to the hallway and dragging my feet to my room. I flopped on the bed and stared at the white ceiling.

"Mmffhhmmnnffeerrrnnuuffmm," I grumbled into a pillow as I smashed my face into it. I flipped onto my stomach and continued to mumble nonsense until I calmed down.

Okay let's think logically about this. How bad did I do?

If I hadn't gone on that stupid, yet lovely, date with Tristan, none of this would have happened. If I didn't invite Alex to stay while I was out... If I didn't leave her alone... If I didn't play that stupid game... If I had just questioned it for one second...

It's all my fault.

I could have stopped this.

I hurt Alex.

I got everyone grounded.

I did it.

"Arg!" I screamed into the pillow. Taking a deep breath I pushed myself off my bed and walked to my bathroom to take a shower. My eyes landed on something and a terrible idea sprang to my head.

"But," I reasoned with myself, "maybe it will help."

I shakily grabbed the razor, a wash cloth and sat in the tub.

"Even if it hurts, Alex feels worse."

I swiped the razor diagonally across my thigh. I sucked in a breath as the stinging covered my leg. Numb. I watched, transfixed as the blood dripped to the bottom of the tub. I repeated this a few times before I wiped my leg and stood up. I turned the water on and watched as the blood disappeared in the drain.

I stripped and stepped into the warm shower, letting the water soak into my hair. Hot water trickled over the fresh cuts, causing them to sting again. Numb. I stood like that, letting the pain consume me as I continued to wash my hair.

This is the pain I deserve.

A/n Hey vaulters! Like the name?! Anyway, I realized I never thanked you for the 370 reads! I really appreciate when you guys read my chapters! It would be really cool to see that people read all my chapters because one chapter is 16 and the next is 47. If you do this you are missing some valuable information, my friend. Anyway, Thank You to those who do read every chapter. ILY <3!

Also, this chapter has some cutting in it. I would just like to take a minute to talk about this. Self harm is never an option no matter how hurt you are. Sometimes it may seem like it's the only way out but I promise there are other ways. Here's a list of other things to do that sound a little more appealing :
•paint your arm instead! • exercise
• do some yoga
• draw
• dance!
• write a story
• listen to happy music
• play with a pet
• read some wattpad I hear it's good for the soul
• find weird things to make on Pinterest
• anything on a "cure boredom" list
• destroy something (as long as it's not like illegal) (rip up paper or something)
• watch Netflix
• talk to someone (even a help-line if it comes to it)
If you are ever in this situation and need someone to talk to, I'm a great listener!

Questions: What do you think is going to happen to all the other group members? Keep in mind Spring and Kaya were never at the hospital.

Update: Hopefully with in this week!