Love's Complex

Chapter 17 (Part II)

My mind began spiralling once again and tears cloud my vision. I didn't want to open it in fear that they would see that I have read the message even though I know I didnt have read receipts.

"Nope. No, no, no,'' huffing as I aggressively wiped at my eyes, I shot Amelia a quick message, knowing shed understand my bluntness. The need for someone, just some support became so strong, that I texted Fayre and Orion.

~~~
"guys, im so sorry but i need you. he just texted"
Delivered
~~~

It didnt take long for them both to respond, saying they were coming. I turned off my phone completely. Refraining from being completely rash and throwing it out of the window, I opened my closet and put it inside one of the neglected boxes still sitting there.

About to close the closet door, I spied the black fabric of my guitar case.

Rubbing at the calloused tips of my left hand fingers, I reached out and pulled the instrument out from behind more random boxes filled with clothes and books. Taking out the light brown glossy guitar, I sat on my bed to tune it properly before moving up and getting comfortable against the headboard.

I waited for the two to arrive, strumming different chords until I could recognise melodies from simple songs, and I whispered the lyrics under my shaky breath until I changed the chord progression and repeated the process. My eyes remained closed as I sat on my bed and I let the tears escape, the droplets occasionally thudding against the wood of the guitar As hard as I tried focusing on the random jumble of lyrics there was this reemerging splotch of darkness that felt like it was progressively swallowing me whole, an oh-so regrettably familiar feeling.

It felt like hours and hours of random songs and chords. My hands cramped and my fingertips stung and my head felt dizzy but I didnt really care, it was a good distraction.

As I was bringing some song to an end, I was about to begin finding a new one when I felt my bed dip to the side. My eyes slowly opened achedly and though my vision was blurry, I could see two figures I could definitely recognize without a doubt.

At this point, I think my mind finally caught up with what was happening and I began sobbing, tears now freely flowing without stooping. Orion scooped me into her arms, his head laying on my shoulder as I did the same. From behind me Fayre wrapped her arms around my torso, her head occupying my other shoulder.

We sat there for so long, neither their grips, nor mine seemed to soften. Even after my breath even out and my tears dried, it was just silence, only our breathing was heard. The thoughts and memories swirled around in my head, each one getting more and more grim. I shook my head attempting to rid me of soulsuckers eating away at my consciousness and dug myself deeper into the embrace, Orions shirt muffling my whimpers.

I mightve dosed off eventually if Orion hadnt pulled away from me, still supporting my body by peering into my face with such a familiar look of concern, trying to read my splotchy red and tear streaked face.

His eyes moved to meet Fayres beside me, which Im sure mirrored his worry, and then back to mine.

"Naila, what did he say?"

I opened my mouth to speak, I was so sure I was able to but no sound came out save for some small whimpers and tears fly out again. Fayres hands rubbed across my back soothingly and I started blubbering out nonsense through hiccups, things that may have made sense if I was completely coherent but it all just came out with no filter.

"...I-I just cant deal with him anymore, I *hic* I don't want to. He ruined everything and I hate him! He has to *hic* leave me alone! I don't want him near me. *hic* Please!"

Sobbing on and on, I quiet down eventually but the hiccuping remains constant.

"Nai, sweetheart, just deep breaths okay?" Fayre spoke in my ear. "Breath with me okay?"

My eyes clenched in frustration, I nod.

"Good, now, in..." She holds for a second. "And out..." we repeat this process for a bit until my hiccups quiet down a bit and my tears (hopefully) completely dry up.

"You did so well Naila, youre doing so well," Rough large hands cup my cheeks. I open my eyes to meet Orions and he gives me a small reassuring smile. "You know he cant get you here, and he cant ever hurt you in any way. Not anymore, right?"

Nodding a tiny bit, Fayre pecks me on the cheek. I look at her and she gives me a smile. "We are here if you ever need us. We are right here and he cant touch you."

"Naila, can we see what your dad said?"

"You'll think Im overreacting!"

"Naila Marie Mendoza, we would never. Don't you ever think that. Your emotions are important and should be listened to."

Biting my lip, I look down at my bruise coloured callouses. Inwardly sighing, I pointed into my closet.

"Its in the top box."

Orion left the bed, there was the sound of him rummaging through a couple boxes before coming back and setting the device in front of me. Taking it up, powering it on and putting in my password, I handed the phone over to the man after I brought up the messaging app.

Humming, Orion scrolled through and I felt Fayre get up from behind me to look at the messages as well. I attempt to keep my mind and facial expressions blank, not looking up at the two, afraid of the looks they may have on their own faces.

Seeming to finish up, I feel Fayre take up her place behind me and Orion sits in front of me.

"He is only your dad by title, he no longer has any control of you and you dont have to talk unless you are comfortable. He cant touch you mother or you sister either."

I let out a soft chuckle.

"My sister doesn't detest the man like I do, she pities him." I shook my head, getting up to get the box of tissues on the bedside table. "So ironic that she got the brunt of it."

"Well either way," Orion took the tissue from my hand and started wiping my eyes. "She's coming here to finish her Masters right? It's not like hes gonna come here as well."

I slap at his arm and shake my pointer finger in his face. "I swear to god if you jinx it imma kick you!"

Fayre giggled and pulled my arm down from her boyfriend's face. "Don't worry about that. Again, even if he did, he would never have to come close to you."

"I hope so, I might just take some online classes and go to Italy or something if he does come here."

"And we'd come with you!" Fayre said excitedly

"We'll see about that. Its easy to take my classes online, Im not so sure about you guys."

"She has a point babe," Orion commented but quickly quieted when Fayre slapped his arm.

"Shut up! I can afford postponing for a semester! You can stay here and be a party pooper and do your studying and stuff, while my lil Nai and I can relax and eat that good pasta!"

"Don't worry Ion, well send a lot of pictures," I giggled. Orion proceeded to just groan and flopped on the bed.

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A/N: Part 2 for all of you! I posted the first part so why make you guys wait *shrugs*. I honestly don't know how people are able to format stories to look like group chats, so jealous lol. This story really has been a way to release all of my stress and worries and force poor little Naila to go through them as well heh. Welp, I do hope you guys enjoyed as usual!!

I hope you guys have an amazing day/night!!

If you have any suggestions to make my writing better in any way, please do comment and tell me! It would be very much appreciated.

Thank you so much for reading!