Bad Habits

Chapter Nine

𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑎 ♡︎

I sat up in bed with my hands wrapped tightly around my legs. My legs were tucked up against my chest and my face was buried in my knees.

This feeling. This stupid fucking feeling always came back to me at the worst times.

"Rory? Are you okay?"

Enzo groggily sat up and rubbed his eyes. I couldn't get a word out; I was frozen, and I didn't know what to do.

I just nodded my head.

"Are you still tired?"

I shook my head.

"Okay, get some shoes on. I'll grab a jacket for you, we're going somewhere."

I couldn't move. And I had no way of telling him. This feeling was eating me alive, and all I wanted to do was crawl into a hole and call it quits.

"Rory?"

I just shook my head.

"Here, hold my hands. Let me take you somewhere safe, where we can talk."

I really needed to let out some emotion, so I willed myself to move and took Enzo's hand. He led me to the bathroom first, I got cleaned up while he went to go grab some jumpers from his closet.

I walked out, slowly put my shoes on and tied them up. Enzo handed me one of his jackets, I shrugged it on and took his hand again. He lead me out of his apartment and to his car.

He opened the door for me, I slipped inside and put my seatbelt on. I rested my head against the head rest and closed my eyes. The driver's door open and shut, the car started, and we were moving before I knew it.

I fell asleep again.

++++

"Rory? We're here. Do you want me to carry you?"

I groggily opened my eyes. Enzo was crouching in front of me, my body was now twisted so my legs were dangling off the car seat.

"Hm? Where are we?"

"A place I come to when I need to think. A quiet spot."

"Oh, okay. I'll walk but can I hold your hand?"

He smiled softly, "Of course."

I stood up as Enzo backed away. He took my hand in his and laced our fingers together. I'm not sure why, but physical contact always seemed to calm me down when I had these... moments.

My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I realised where we were.

We were on a hilltop, and I could see the beach from here. It was a clear night sky, so the moonlight glistened on the waves. The waves were a deep, rich blue tonight, and it was peaceful.

No wonder Enzo came here to think. Just looking at it put my mind at ease.

There was a bench up ahead, Enzo and I quickly walked over to it and sat down. I didn't release his hand, even when we sat down.

I knew he wanted to know what was wrong. Because he cared, because he was a friend. And friends always care.

After a few minutes of listening to the waves crash against each other, Enzo turned to me. I could see out of the corner of my eye that his face was full of concern, that's why I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

"What's wrong Rory?"

I sucked in a deep breath.

He put a finger under my chin and turned my face to his. I locked eyes with him and almost started sobbing on the spot.