The Waiting Game

THE WAITING GAME - 6

Trigger Warning: Manchester Attack

May 2017

Florida, USA

Ariana was staring blankly at the television in front of her. She kept changing channels, looking for something to watch that may distract her from everything.

But there's nothing she could find... almost every channel talk about the incident.

She feels numb...

"More injuries were reported in the last few hours from the bombing that happened in the Manchester Arena after the popstar Ariana Grande's conc—"

"Baby... don't do this to yourself." Mac said after he turned off the television and sat beside Ariana.

The latter remained staring at the now turned off television with tears cascading from her eyes. She didn't move... not even a bit.

Mac grabbed Ariana's hands that were resting on her lap. "Talk to me please..."

Silence

Mac sighed in defeat. "Baby, you have to let it out. Don't keep everything to yourself." He looked at Courtney and the twins who are looking at them from the kitchen. "We are here for you..."

Still getting no response from Ariana, Courtney walked towards them with a glass of water. She stood in front of Ariana, covering her view. Ariana looked away. "Babe, drink some water. You've been crying for days. You'll get dehydrated." She said while handing the glass to Ariana, but the latter refused to take it.

"Ari, it's not your fault, okay?" Scott said calmly while sitting on the armrest of the sofa. "We want the happy Ariana back." Brian added as he stood beside his twin brother.

Ariana glared at him. Really, Brian? How can she be happy?

"Can you all leave me alone?" She finally said. She wiped her wet cheeks. "Please..."

Mac shook his head. "Baby, you cannot be alone right now. We can't lea—"

"I'll be okay. I want to be alone. Please... Just leave." She immediately said, facing Mac.

They stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Mac finally gave in. He nodded and stood up. "If you need me or anything... just text or call."

Ariana just nodded, making Mac turn around to finally leave her house. The twins went near Ariana, giving her a small hug before leaving too.

Courtney sighed and sat beside Ariana. "Do you want me to leave too?"

"Am I a bad person?" Ariana asked Courtney, her eyes are fixed on her fidgeting hands that are placed on her lap. "No, Ariana. Don't ever th—"

"Then why?" Her gaze quickly turned to Courtney. "Why is this happening to me? Why does it seem like" She paused to breathe, "...the universe does not want me to be happy?" She said, her voice breaking as tears start to pour from her eyes once again. Her sobs echoing in the whole living room.

Courtney scooted closer to her best friend, engulfing her in a hug. Ariana cried more in her arms. "Everything happens for a reason, Ariana. You'll get through this. You're one of the strongest people I know." Courtney said while rubbing Ariana's back.

"My fans were hurt..." She sniffed. "There were casualties, Courtney... If o-only I didn't go on tour, m-maybe none of this w-would've happened."