𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 ¹

|𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓽𝔂 𝓢𝓲𝔁 | 𝓛𝓮𝓽 𝓜𝓮 𝓢𝓮𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓮|

Chapter Forty-Six - Let Me Set You Free

Looking back what we had just ain't what it was,

Got too attached way too fast and all because it wasn't easy for both of us,

You say you need me, it's just comfortable,

I get emotional, I wear my heart on my sleeve,

It isn't easy trying to say goodbye,

But just believe me, leave me, you're gonna be alright,

Just breath, let me set you free,

We ain't gotta fix it all to work it out, if you really love me then you'll let me set you free,

-PRETTYMUCH, "Free,"

•••

Veronica

I let out a defeated sigh as I pull my shirt over my head, my eyes are shut as I attempt to ignore the sleeping figure lying behind me, the events of the previous night flood my mind and instantly I'm hit with an overwhelming sense of regret, attempting to maintain my head above water was hard enough before, now it seems quite literally impossible, I wish I could run away or at least find some sort of escape from my fucked up reality but every time I try I end up making things worse, everything exhausts me, even breathing seems like a chore these days, I don't know how I let it get so bad,

I reach for my phone which I've been ignoring for the last couple of hours, even through the incessant buzzing, as suspected Katy's name is half of my lock screen, knowing her she's probably already filed a police report, I sigh shooting her a quick text saying I'm fine, and I'd just passed out after my shower, she seems to buy it, informing she'll be out for the day but that I'm free to stay at hers if I please, at this point I'm not sure what I'll do, I can't stay at Archie's things between us are too awkward for that, I didn't really tell Mary or my parents that I was moving out but no one said anything, my guess being that after everything that's happened they just assumed I wouldn't feel comfortable there, Mike basically kicked me out, and bunking at Katy's is quite literally the last thing I want at the moment, even though I'm sure mom won't approve, moving back home seems to be my only option, I really wish I hadn't left anything at Archie's and I wish I would've done as promised I wish that last night as I stormed away from the place that'd been my home for nearly a month I'd taken every last of my belongings with me, but I didn't meaning I'll have to face, Michael again, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to survive it,

My mind travels back to my current predicament, Archie will wake up at any minute and I really don't want to be here when he does, I contemplate my options, ultimately deciding to go for Pop's, I know Tabitha is on the clock at the moment, and seeing her expression filled with pity will only break me further but I'd rather have to deal with that than to fight with, Archie, I pull on a pair of sneakers, deciding to stay in my hoodie and sweatpants as I genuinely have no one to impress, I'll go out get some breakfast, get a few files from my office and finish placing the supply orders and writing this week's checks from home, at least I have something to keep me occupied for a little while, I grab my wallet and keys ready to make my escape when I hear a low chuckle from behind me, my eyes fly shut and I wish I could disappear right then and there,

"Fleeing the scene of the crime?" he taunts, "Because it's your house, I should be the one attempting an escape," I sigh heavily, slowly turning around to face him, I expect to see some sort of mocking smirk plastered across his face, but to my surprise and his apparently I'm greeted with a gentle smile, which makes my nerves ease up a bit, I cross my arm standing in the doorway frozen, examining him closely, he sitting up, using his elbows as support as he looks up at me still smiling the same, kind-hearted gentle smile, the one I used to love more than anything, it feels like an eternity since I've seen it, he too watches me, his smile slowly fading as he sees the state I'm in, I probably look a mess, I certainly feel like it,