One more day

chapter 27

TW: MENTION OF SH SCARS AND ABUSE

nicks pov

I felt her breathing peacefully for once, so I look down to see her eyes closed and face buried in my chest, her hair now damp. I brush some loose strands out of her face and reach over for the TV remote. I paused Tangled because I knew she wouldn't want to miss it, and instead switch over to watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I turned the volume down and just held her. Words couldn't describe how horrible I feel, I wish I could've done something more; I wish I could help her. She doesn't deserve this, no one does and it sickens me to know that there are people out there who have so little humanity that they would do something like this. 

I looked back to where her shorts rested on her thighs, getting a better look now at the scars that lay there. I saw a glimpse of them in the shower but I didn't want to inspect her body when she was that vulnerable. Hell, I don't want to inspect her body at all but I can't help that I'm curious. They weren't recent, the white lines showing where her skin repaired itself highlighted that, but it doesn't change the fact that they are there, and there was a time when those scars weren't white and all better. Looking at her thighs it's more obvious now how much weight she's lost, it's alarming. I have this sick feeling that she's not eating right, I can feel it in my gut. I really, really hope it's not as bad as it seems. She can seriously damage her body, fuck she could even die. Maybe she just started working out more or changed her diet. It's none of my business really, so I return my attention to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

She wakes up from her nap not too long after, stirring awake, looking around confused. She rubs her eyes before returning her attention to me

"Sorry," she mutters an apology, probably realising that she fell asleep on me.

"It's alright, I don't mind, really." I reassure her, and it's true. It's weirdly nice to have her fall asleep in my arms.

"I want coffee," she said mid-yawn before quite literally jumping off the bed and making her way over to the door, however, I noticed something was off before she gripped onto the wall and flung her hand to her head.

"Hey, hey, hey." I rushed the words out of my mouth in a panic as I jumped off the bed and sped towards her, catching her as she stumbled backwards into me. She just groaned with her eyes shut, her hand still on her head. I gently lowered her to lay on the ground and I sat down next to her.

"What the hell just happened Julia?" I asked

"Just stood up too fast." she slurred, breathing heavily. She went to sit back up but I stopped her.

"You were about to pass out again, weren't you?" I asked.

"I'm just stressed, Nick, drop it." she told me.

"When was the last time you ate?" I asked her, watching her reaction intently.

"Earlier, I stole some of your fries when you weren't looking." she said whilst rolling her eyes. "Now am I done being interrogated?"

"Yes." I replied. She was lying, I know for a fact there wasn't a second where I wasn't aware of her and my surroundings, hell I was holding those chips the entire time there was no way she could've had any without me knowing. She practically ran off upstairs anyway. 

I helped her stand up and followed her down to make coffee. I would've offered to make it for her but I didn't want her to feel like she was being babied. I sat down on the countertop and watched as she made it the way she likes, double shot iced coffee with not a whole lot of milk now that I'm noticing. She walks over and stands in front of me, a cup of coffee in one hand and her other resting on my thigh as she stands in front of me.