To Be Loved

08 - Haven (Part 2)

I left Brookes by himself after he finished crying. He told me he wanted some time to himself. I decided I needed to talk to my parents about this whole situation.

I walked swiftly to their shared office where I knew they would be. All the softness I ever had for them, has somehow left my body and all I am now is a burning hot ball of anger.

I stood in the doorway of the room until they noticed me.

"Haven, dear. Do you need something?" Mother asked.

"Yes, actually." I looked down at my feet and crossed my arms.

Dad spoke up, "What is it, dear?"

"I need you to tell me why you thought it would ever be ok to hit your son."

"Haven, you don't understand-"

"Yeah, Dad. I don't understand. I don't understand why you would ever consider even touching him! Do you know what he just did? He tried to commit suicide! I watched my brother negotiate with death, and I couldn't even save him! Anna did."

Dad was now standing up and reaching out to me.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed at him, "Don't you dare!"

He looked hurt by my actions and Mom was now silently weeping over at her desk.

I continued, "Now here is what you're going to do, Nicholas. You are going to march your arse up to Rory's bedroom. You are going to tell him you're sorry and that you will never touch him again. Mom-" I acknowledged her, "You are going to go with him and apologize for all the times you stood by and watched him."

They nodded but I continued, "And if I hear that either one of you lost your temper with him, I will personally- you know what? Why don't I keep it a surprise? But, just remember this: you hurt him before- you will not hurt him again. And I will be there every moment of everyday watching you and making sure that you don't. I catch you one time...you'll regret it."

I walked away from them with my head held high. They deserve whatever pain they feel right now. But, I know one thing for sure: They will never hurt Rory again. I'll make sure of it.

I rushed up the stairs to my room and picked up the phone and dialed the numbers I now knew by memory.

"Bambi?" I heard from the phone.

"Ashton? I need you to get here...now."

"Why? What's wrong?" He said, he voice laced with worry.

I stuttered, trying not to cry, "Something happened. I need you to be here right now."

"I'll be there in 15 minutes." He said without hesitating.

"Meet me at the garage at the front of the property."

I hung the phone up and started making my way down to the garage to wait on Ashton.

15 minutes had passed and Ashton just arrived. He threw off his helmet at the sight of my tear soaked face and almost ran to me.

Before I could say anything, he engulfed me in a hug. I soaked his shirt with my tears. He stroked my head and shushed me.

"Please tell me what's wrong, Bambi."

"Rory- he..He-"

"Shhh. Let's go inside and then you can tell me."

We walked to the castle while I leaned on him for support and climbed up the ladder that led to my bedroom window. I sat at the end of the bed while Ashton insisted on getting a wet rag for me. He came out of my bathroom and placed the rag onto my forehead.

"I'm not dying," I said, attempting a joke.

"This place is amazing," He smiled a small reassuring smile, "Now what happened?"

"Lawrence, my brother you met a few hours ago- he tried to commit suicide today."

Ashton's face resembled one of shock, "what? He was fine earlier!"

"Yeah. That's what I thought too. Turns out my dad has been hitting him and Rory has been drinking to cope with it."

"Oh my gosh. Wh- how?"

"Long story-short: Rory accidentally spilled the beans at lunch. Brookes and I tried to find him and when we did, he was standing on his balcony with three empty beer bottles. Thankfully, Anna came and convinced him to stop before he jumped."

"Wow, and I thought I had it rough."

"I just can't believe them right now. How could the loving king and queen of Nostrovia ever participate in something so harsh? What infuriates me more is the fact that Mother sat there and watched as my father ruined Lawrence's life."

"Yeah, that's terrible. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through."

"I just want to go to sleep and wake up and this all be a bad dream."

He hugged me again. I looked at the clock by my bed. Already four o'clock. Time sure does fly by.

"Did you paint all these?" He asked, looking at the walls that were decorated with small and large works of art.

"Yeah, just something to do, I guess."

"They're really good."

"Thanks." I yawned and decided to take a nap. I was exhausted from the events of today and I needed a break.

"Do you need me to leave?" Ashton asked.

"Stay please." I said as I closed my eyes. I heard Ashton shuffle to turn the lights off and then the bed dipped down. I felt him reach for my hand and he intertwined our fingers together.

"I love you, Bambi," I heard a voice speak, but I was tired so assumed I was hearing things. I chose to ignore what I heard. Right when I felt sleep overcome me, a pair of lips pressed against my forehead.

And then all I saw was black.