Driving Me Mad Read Online Free Page A

day, though. Thank you for dinner.”
    “You’re welcome. Do you want
to talk about your long day?”
    “Not really.” She gives me a
sad smile, and I nod.
    Our plates are empty, so I
guess our night is over . But I don’t want her to leave
yet.
    “Do you want me to help clean
up?” Brittany offers.
    “Sure.” Any reason to keep
her with me longer. We work together to put dirty dishes in the
dishwasher, put away leftovers, and wash the few things that don’t
go in the dishwasher. “How much sleep are you getting?” I ask.
    “Depends. Sometimes, I barely
sleep two hours. Other times, I do sleep, but it’s so restless I
might as well have been awake all night. What about you?”
    Ah, right. Two-way street.
“Two to three hours at the most.” We’re standing in my kitchen once
we’ve finished. “Are you ready to head back?” I reluctantly force
myself to ask.
    “Not really. It’s nice and
peaceful here. I think that’s what I hate the most about college. I
don’t feel like I ever get any quiet time.”
    “That’s all I ever have,” I
laugh. And it’s not always a good thing. “Let’s watch TV.” I take
her hand and lead her into the living room. I hand her the remote
after turning the TV on. I don’t care what we watch, so she can
have control over it.
    She sits down next to me,
tucking her legs to the side. She hesitates before leaning against
me and resting her head on my shoulder. “I’ve really missed you,
Trace,” she whispers. “I think I rely on you more than I
thought.”
    “So, you’re not upset that I
moved here and then waited so long to tell you?”
    She sits upright to look at
me. “Are you kidding? No! I’m really happy you’re here. I honestly
never expected to see you again. I figured a phone call here and
there with some texting was all. Not that I was unhappy with that
or anything. It just would’ve been nice to see you, so I’m happy I
can now.” Absentmindedly, she reaches for her wrist and simply
grips it tightly. “You know,” she continues, “I thought it might be
weird.”
    “But it’s not?”
    “No,” she says with a shake
of her head. “It’s not weird to be with you.” Brittany glances to
the TV where whatever show she picked is playing. She releases a
little sigh. “It’s so peaceful here.”
    To me, it’s too peaceful. Too
quiet and serene. One would think that would be good, but for me,
it’s not. Not when I’m struggling. It makes it easier to wallow and
get sucked into the hell I experience. However, I’m glad Brittany
enjoys it. She rests her head on my shoulder again. It’s odd to be
so comfortable around one another so far, and not just because she
has issues with anxiety. All those texts and phone calls seems to
have made it seamless for us now that we’re here in person.
    After about an hour and
countless yawns later, Brittany sits upright. “My body wants to
crash and I really want to let it. You should probably take me back
before I fall asleep.”
    I nod, stand, and take her
hand to lead the way. For one crazy moment, I think about asking
her to stay. My gut reaction is to claim it’s for her sake since
she finds my place so relaxing, but I know it has more to do with
not wanting to return to this house without her tonight. It’s
making me anxious because I can already feel the claws of my
depression tightening around my throat.
    I’m supposed to be the calm,
in control person. Well, as much as I can be with depression
resting on my shoulders. Even then, I can usually gather some
resolve to keep my wits about me. Britt though, she undoes me.
    That’s one hell of a scary
realization.
    ***

 
     

     
    T race is quiet as
we drive back to campus. The closer we get, the higher my anxiety
rises. The sleepiness I felt at his house has left me. Trace parks
his car outside of my dorm.
    “You okay?”
    I turn to face him and nod.
“Thanks for inviting me over.” And letting me get cozy with you
on your couch, I silently add. With