Sinners and Saints

Chapter 22

The sunlight peeking through the corners of my curtains wakes me up. 

I slowly sit up recognizing the smell of coffee and bacon. 

I get out of bed taking baby steps to my bedroom door. 

My head begins to throb. 

I creep my way downstairs to see Nate sitting on my couch and Chuck standing over the stove making eggs. 

Nate looks up hearing my footsteps "You're finally awake." he says smiling lightly. 

I turn my head towards the clock above the stove to check the time. 

1:30 p.m. 

God I was out of it. 

My stomach begins to lurch around a little. 

Nate notices the change in my body language and asks "Are you okay.." 

Shaking my head I whisper "I'm gonna be sick."

 Chuck turns away from the stove moving quickly to me with a trash can in hand. 

I lurch everything in my stomach into the can making some disgusting noises as I heave.

 Chuck rubs small circles onto my back and holds my hair back.

 Once I have emptied the contents out of my stomach I put my hand over my mouth to cover my breath and avoided all eye contact as I make my way back upstairs to brush my teeth. 

Chuck and Nate follow me up, Chuck asks "Better?" 

Spitting my toothpaste out I answer a weak "yes." 

Chuck continues to observe me to make sure I'm okay while Nate questions "If I needed anything." 

"No. No. I'm fine." I say waving his hand away. 

He then clears his throat and scratches the back of his neck asking "London...so umm. What do you remember from last night?" 

I figure one of them would ask but all I want is to never speak of what happened again. 

I slowly nod my head and reply "Yes.." looking down at my hands. 

Chuck grabs my hand squeezing it, "London. What happened was not your fault. That Brody guy is a repulsive asshole. I've already spoken to my father and he's willing to press charges if you're okay with it." 

I think over his words before responding, "It's Bradley, Chuck." I laugh lightly trying to lighten the atmosphere but I completely sober up again as I try to find the right words to say next. 

"And I know it wasn't my fault. I just wish I wasn't so trusting of people... tell Bart I appreciate it but the thought of having to go through a case and the possible media attention from it is the last thing I want, especially since it's my senior year." I grab both of their hands squeezing them.

 "I just can't express how lucky I am that you too came and got me out of there. Thank you so much." I say tearing up. 

Chuck brushes my tears away and Nate kisses the top of my head. 

"I'll be fine. I am fine." I say trying to convince myself more than them. 

Chuck smiles lightly before saying "You're not fine. But that's okay because you will be fine."

 Nate joins in saying "I completely agree with Chuck.Rest up the remainder of the day. The roofie effects will take a while to get out of your system. We are always here for you." They both then stand up to leave the room and give me some space.