323 comments

Contemporary Friendship Happy

TW: Mentions of Anorexia and anxiety


Authors Note: hehe so a few things. This is supposed to be submitted under the prompt "Write about two people reconnecting after a rough in their relationship." However, stupid me when submitting a story a few days ago that didnt go with any of the prompts, submitted it under the exact one that this story was written to. Sorry if that made no sense at all, but basically, this story goes with this prompt: "Write about two people reconnecting after a rough in their relationship."

Not the one it's actually submitted under.

Second thing, this is a collab!!!! The wonderful Eleanor Eclipse wrote this story from Emilila's perspective, so make sure to go read that, her profile will be linked in my comment! Enjoy!


Lexieโ€™s POV


I had formed my room to be perfect.ย 

And then I wanted to form myself to be exactly like my room.ย 

Perfect.ย 

Dad told me it would be better if I was perfect.ย 

Well, heโ€™s never really said much to me at all, but maybe if I was enough he would care.ย 

He would care if I was skinnier.ย 

He would care if my stomach didn't poke out when I wear swimsuits.ย 

He would care if I looked like all the girls on the front of magazines, their ribs visible, no fat. Maybe then he would notice me instead of always fighting with Lacy or Emilila.ย 

Maybe heโ€™d like me if my hair wasn't so straight, or if I wasn't covered in freckles.ย 

I felt like I needed his approval on everything, but I wouldn't get his approval until I was his perfect little daughter.ย 

And then Emilila and Lacy were introduced.ย 

Father fell head over heels for that woman.ย 

That woman and her perfect little daughter who fit in immediately.ย 

When I turned 16 and got my driver's license, it was my only way to escape everything. The yelling, the fighting, the blaming, the insults. In father's mind everything is pinned on a certain person. I just don't know how to trust him anymore. I went out to buy my first car right when I could. It was the escape I needed.

I snap out of my daze as the front door slams shut.ย 

Father is a stickler for timing and he always comes home at five o'clock, never a minute under or a minute over.ย 

Emilila scampers up the stairs, her tight brown curls bouncing up and down as she reaches the top.

We meet eyes as I step slowly out of my room and a look of fear is plastered on her face. Her pale blue eyes darting around as her hands tremble. She bites her lip and I can see the tears she holds back.ย 

As the word loudly leaves my fatherโ€™s mouth, Iโ€™m stunned halfway down the stairs.

โ€œDivorce.โ€ย 

Great, now I was gonna be stuck with my father alone in this hell house. I slipped past Emilila and ventured my way downstairs, avoiding the beast in the living room. And yet his stone cold eyes catch me like a hawk.ย 

โ€œGo back upstairs. I don't need any more worthless kids running around my house.โ€ย 

The words hit me like a bullet and I stand there shocked. I can't move my feet as father glares at me.

โ€œLexie Madden, do your ears not work? I told you to go upstairs.โ€ย 

He repeats, his voice becoming even more stern the second time.ย 

Lacy inches past my father and runs over to me, resting a hand on my shoulder.ย 

โ€œDid you need anything, dear?โ€ย 

A father that cares. Is what I think about saying but I shake my head in response.

ย Lacy smiles sweetly and nods.ย 

โ€œI can make you a snack! Your appetite seems a little low lately.โ€

I shake my head again, wanting to avoid that situation and force a smile back.ย 

โ€œIโ€™m ok, thanks Lacy. Iโ€™ve got a lot of homework anyways, so I should go upstairs.โ€ย 

I duck under Lacyโ€™s arm and hurry back to my room, shutting the door and grabbing my ear buds. I can feel the tears rising in my throat as I snatch my iPod off my desk and collapse onto my bed, the guilt rising in my head. I should've done a workout today, should've eaten less for breakfast, and forgot to weigh myself. God, I hate my brain.ย 

After 20 minutes of the fighting, the voices grow quiet and I hear father retreat to his room, and Emilila trotting down the stairs.ย 

I follow her, knowing Lacy will suspect something if I don't come for dinner and slip into my usual spot at the table.ย 

Lacy spoons out soup for each of us and sits down next to Emilila. Silence rests over us, tension sending us off into our own worlds.ย 

I force myself out of it and glance over at Lacy, who stares at Emilila with a worried look on her face.ย 

โ€œYou alright?โ€ I ask, standing up.ย 

Emilila nods, but I donโ€™t believe it as I rest the back of my hand against her forehead.

ย โ€œYouโ€™re burning up!โ€ I watch as Emilila nods again and closes her eyes, Lacy standing up.ย 

โ€œIโ€™m just tired, probably a bug from school.โ€ She mumbles.ย 

Lacy grabs an ice pack and sends Emilila upstairs and I take it as my opportunity to escape the table.ย 

Once Iโ€™m safely in my room, I drag over my desk chair to the window next to my bed and disappear into the world of music. Salty tears roll down my cheeks as I pull my hair out of the bun and rest my head against the window.ย 

The music drowns out noises from downstairs, fatherโ€™s complaints from his bedroom and sends me into a peaceful abyss.ย 

Halfway through my playlist, someone taps my shoulder.ย 

My hand flies up and I pull the earbuds out of my ears and turn to find a shaking Emilila who stutters as she tries to muster some words. โ€œ

โ€œNot here, ok?โ€ I say, pushing my window open.ย 

The outdoors greets me with a cool breeze, drying the tears still smudged on my cheeks.

I climb out into a tree right next to my window and climb down, Emilila close behind me.

I get in my car and let Emilila into the passenger street and start it up, pulling out of the driveway.

After moments of silence, Emilila bursts into tears and tucks her knees into her chest.

I turn on my headlights and sigh, unsure what to say.ย 

โ€œSo Iโ€™m getting the feeling somethingโ€™s going on thatโ€™s more than school?โ€ย 

Emilila shrugs, then slowly nods, glancing over at me.ย 

โ€œWhat happened at dinner?โ€ I ask.ย 

โ€œTheyโ€™re not working!โ€

โ€œWhatโ€™s not working?โ€ I ask again, turning off our street.ย 

โ€œThose stupid pills! I get so nervous that I canโ€™t breathe so I shove one of those stupid pills down my throat and it just makes it worse!!!โ€ She yells, heavy tears streaming down her cheeks.ย 

โ€œI feel like I canโ€™t ever catch my breath, like Iโ€™m always on the verge of running out of air. Like Iโ€™m drowning in a pool of my thoughts.โ€ Emilila finishes, her voice shaky.ย 

โ€œWhat are you afraid of happening?โ€ย 

Emilila opens her mouth then closes it, going silent.ย 

โ€œI-I don't know I always convince myself that someone's gonna die or Iโ€™m gonna die or someone's gonna take me, or that no one likes me, I just end up getting trapped in my own thoughts.โ€ย 

I pull into a parking lot and stop the car, turning to face Emilila. She shakes in the seat, her eyes focused ahead and her breath quickens.ย 

โ€œLetโ€™s play a game,โ€ I suggest, and she looks at me but nods, snapping her head back to a forwards position.ย 

โ€œTell me about that really annoying kid in your class. What was his name, Joel?โ€ย 

Emilila nods, still dazed and afraid.ย 

โ€œAnd he always tries to bring his rat to school?โ€ย 

Emilila nods again, her lips curving a bit, but quickly goes back to a frown as her hands shake more.ย 

โ€œAnd he always talks about his business?โ€ย 

Emilila lets out a small laugh, and my heart slows down a bit.ย 

โ€œWhatโ€™s his business?โ€ย 

โ€œH-he makes cardboard weapons.โ€ She said through a mix of a laugh and a sob.ย 

โ€œAnd corrects the teachers.โ€ She adds, taking a deep breath. She closes her eyes and wipes a few tears off her face.ย 

โ€œWhy don't we go home, alright?โ€ย 

She nods and I pull out of the parking lot and start on the road home, putting on a Broadway playlist. For the first time in a while, the drive home didn't feel so lonely. Itโ€™s people who had never gotten along quite like they just did. Emilila and I.ย 


Itโ€™s a year later and god am I ready to turn 18.ย 

Emilila has been moping around the house for about a month now because even if father is gone and Lacy takes care of both of us, sheโ€™s definitely not ideal to take care of a 13-year-old. Though her basically living at the gym helped Emilila and I grow closer.ย 

We got better at sticking together through her anxiety attacks and my anorexia.ย 

Everything just feels so real now. Emilila has helped me build the reality I wanted. Itโ€™s far from perfect, and definitely still has its problems, but itโ€™s improved. And Emililaโ€™s gonna have to quit her moping by next week. Iโ€™ve got a few surprises up my sleeve.ย 


18 was probably my best birthday since like 3.

Emilila and I spent the entire day driving around blaring our Broadway playlist and belting our hearts out.

Itโ€™s the end of the night and Emilila is in my room helping me pack.

I can tell sheโ€™s holding in tears and Iโ€™m struggling to hold in my surprise.

Once the last suitcase is zipped, Emilila starts to leave when I stop her and run over to my desk. I pull out a large yellow envelope and she looks at me, cocking her head.ย 

โ€œOpen it,โ€ I say, my smile growing.ย My heart flutters as her long fingers rip open the seal.

She glances up at me after a few seconds and I nod, uncontrolable excitement building in side of me.

Her hand reaches in and pulls out one of the many adoption papers that I had stuffed in there the other day.ย 

Her blue eyes well with tears as she holds up the paper.ย 

โ€œIs this?โ€ย 

โ€œAll you have to do is sign it.โ€ I say, wrapping my arms around her.ย As I hold her in my arms my life-with it's many struggles-feels put together.

I'm no longer trapped in the cage of numbers and sizes. No longer shoved down by words and insults.

Emilila had set me free.

And just hours later, we were finally together permanently. Itโ€™s just us. Emilila and I.

February 19, 2021 21:04

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323 comments

Heyayaaaaaa! Mind upvoting this person for me? He/she got downvoted 2k+ points, thank you <3 https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/writer-maniac/

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oh no, that sucks! I'll do that in a few minutes!

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Maya -
17:47 Mar 03, 2021

Hi :) Would you like to play Skribble today at 3:30 EST, even though we haven't played for a while. Also, if you want to ask anyone else if they want to play, feel free. :)

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aw I missed playing Skirbble!! I would love to! Have you asked any one else yet?

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Maya -
17:57 Mar 03, 2021

Ooh also, I'm going to put the link in my bio later.

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ok! sounds goooooood:D

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Maya -
18:06 Mar 03, 2021

:DD

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Maya -
20:30 Mar 03, 2021

https://skribbl.io/?5EIqZpEpdZua

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Maya -
17:49 Mar 03, 2021

Me too :) Sorry xd Yay! Yeah, I asked most people we play with I think... I might have forgotten someone, it's been a while. XD

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I don't mean to stress you, but I really liked this story and it reminded me that today is my last day heere on Reedsy and I'll miss you all so much.

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No stress at all!! I'm glad you liked it and I am so sad to see you leaving Emmie:( Is everything going alright? I didnt really get to talk to you much during your time here, but you seem like such an amazing person! Your stories are always amazing and you'll be greatly missed<3 I'm always here if you need to talk!:)

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Yeah, I'm fine. But things are gonna be different for me now, and that means no more reedsy. :(

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Okay, final comment before I go... which story?

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What do you mean by that?

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I'm sorry to hear that:( Glad you're ok though:)

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I feel like the last comment I write should be poetic and amazing.

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on one of your stories or in your bio? Or here?

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TJ Squared
17:04 Mar 02, 2021

hey, saph and Isaac and I are on the doc...care to join?

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ooh yeah! I'll be on in a minute!

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TJ Squared
17:06 Mar 02, 2021

okay!

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TJ Squared
15:44 Mar 02, 2021

btw, I am up, but by the time you read this, I might be on school, but I know for sure we can talk probably around 9:00 (my time) or (12:00) your time.

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ok!! Sounds good:D

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TJ Squared
15:55 Mar 02, 2021

:)

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TJ Squared
03:29 Mar 02, 2021

hey, you up for chatting again soon? I'm kinda lonely rn...it's okay if not tho...

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I would love to chat soon! Sorry your feeling lonely:( Reedsy and all of its docs seem to hit a big lull where everyone kinda disappears at some point in the day:( I can chat rn cuz it's pretty late in my time zone(almost 11 pm) but I'd be up for chatting tomorrow after I wake up!!:D

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TJ Squared
03:49 Mar 02, 2021

okay! That works, but you will be 3 hours ahead of me, so we will see. But thanks for being willing :)

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ok! you can comment any time tomorrow and I'll most likely be on, except in the evening, I've got practice:)

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TJ Squared
04:03 Mar 02, 2021

alright then! :)

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lol I cantttttt I feel like this part of the series barely went anywhere so I either want to edit it down a lot or finish pt 4 and release them at the same timeXDD

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21:00 Mar 01, 2021

We need to make like secret codes or something XD

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yessss a seperate doc for abbreviations and secret codesXDDD

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21:12 Mar 01, 2021

LOL *totally not sus*

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*totally*

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21:14 Mar 01, 2021

:P

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FILL DIS https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Sq7s1ivwFRcvjdQbT1kuzmMWuRbtEKMiOMhLI2EEvJ0/edit?usp=sharing

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*gasp* yayyyyyyyyyy:DD

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I cant, it's edit mode so it's like I'm an editor instead of a filler-outer

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I figured it out! Filling it out now!:)

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TJ Squared
01:57 Feb 28, 2021

part 6 out!

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yessss I'll read it after my call is over!!

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TJ Squared
04:43 Feb 28, 2021

:)

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*Reads profile picture* Oh? Exist Loudly? ... *Runs outside.* "I AM EXITING LOUDLY!"

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XDDD yessssssssss

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06:15 Feb 27, 2021

Hey, didn't you submit any stories for last week?! โฐ_โฐ =(

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eek I know:( I hit a giant wall of writers block so didnt write much last week. I'm hoping do get two out this week to make up for them though!!:D

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TJ Squared
20:41 Feb 26, 2021

HEHEHHEEHEHE PART 5 IS OUT XDDDD!

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YESSSSSSS

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TJ Squared
20:53 Feb 26, 2021

:DDD

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19:22 Feb 26, 2021

LUNAAAA I NEEED HALLLP

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I AM HERE WHAT DO YOU NEED

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21:02 Feb 26, 2021

I CANT DECIDE ON A NAME FOR PRINCE CHARMING XD GETHEN OR CASTON? ISGNBWRIUGNWRGIUWRGNWRGIWURGNWRIUWJ

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XDDDD is this for TDB? and I like Caston:)

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21:05 Feb 26, 2021

YES LOL Me too :)

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OOOHH A PRINCE?!?!?!? WHEN DOES IT COME OUT I'M DYING WAITINGGGGGGG

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Sunny ๐ŸŒผ
21:47 Feb 19, 2021

Oh wow, this was really good! I guess I can say the ending felt a LITTLE bit rushed, but it was a nice conclusion that I really enjoyed.

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Thanks Sarah! Yeah, Iโ€™ve got a busy night so I knew I had to finish it quickly. I might try to go back and fix it a bit tomorrow if m schedule allows itXD thanks for reading!!

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Sunny ๐ŸŒผ
23:13 Feb 19, 2021

oh ok, makes sense

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Jasey Lovegood
10:09 Mar 10, 2021

Hey, Luna! I saw you did my form, so I wanted to come and say hi. So, HI!! I really liked this story, it was nice that Lexie got set free. [I'm no longer trapped in the cage of numbers and sizes. No longer shoved down by words and insults.] That was my favourite part :) Amazing work!

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Corbin Sage
05:03 Mar 08, 2021

Wow.

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18:42 Mar 05, 2021

HUNKYHAIR *sobs*

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WHATS WRONGGGGGG

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23:30 Mar 05, 2021

OFNWIFLUJGKNWRLUIGKJWRNGILWKGNWIRKJGNWRIGLKJWRGNWRIKJRWHNJLRWGHWRLKJGWRHGKJRWHWRIUJKWRGWRIUUGJKWGOIWRJWROIGWJGIWLGJWIRWJKIWRKJWRGIJWRGIWRJWRILG *panic*

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WHATS HAPPENINGGGGGGGG

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23:33 Mar 05, 2021

IM GOING INSANEEEEE ABOUT DIAMOND BLADEEEEEE I have so much to doooo and I have to change the whole plot line cause so many people answered the form and then get everything organized and then panic about how i write so terribly and then find a way to include everyone without making it seem like an info dump and then I have to find a way to get the parts out on time and then i have school work and then i have to turn in twenty assignments per day and check reedsy cause when i leave for ONE DAY my notifs get spammed with "ARE YOU LEAVING?" an...

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ok ok ok ok. breatheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee breathe Saph. Prioritize what you need to do first. If you have school work to finish, finish that, hang out with your family, reedsy can come last in all of that. Even your writing can come before reedsy. You could put it in your bio that you're leaving for the day. Take daily breaks if you need to, it'll be ok. And dont worry about TDB. We can wait and take all the time you need to make a story you're proud of. Lmk if you ever need any help Saph<3 and I love those fairytales!!

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23:39 Mar 05, 2021

(fav classic fairytale is prolly Sleeping beauty or Cinderella or Beauty and the beast CANT CHOOSE)

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14:19 Mar 05, 2021

Beauty and the beast Also, story's out! TIIIIME FOR YOU TO BE IN IT!!!!

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aw I love Beauty and the Beast! YASSSSS

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14:27 Mar 05, 2021

HAHAHA (Although you're knocked out for most of it)

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17:38 Mar 05, 2021

Yeah

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