Compassion and Oblivion

Chapter Twenty-Two: Possibility

Author's Note:

I wanted to mention that the next few chapters will contain some time skips, and we will be switching back and forth between past and present tense verbiage frequently. Any scene using past tense verbs is a summary of what has been happening leading up to the present tense scenes. I hope that is helpful!

Enjoy!

TW-Alcohol Use (Elliott's Four Heart Event)

The next morning, you wake up painfully alone.

When your usual six o'clock alarm sounded, you silenced it immediately and went straight back to sleep.

Well after 10:00 AM, you finally pry your eyes open.

Penny is no longer in the room with you, but you hear shuffling movement coming from the living room.

You aren't sure how much time passes between the time you open your eyes, and the time you actually decide to start moving. Releasing a discontented groan, you roll over to retrieve your phone from your nightstand.

Sitting next to your phone, you find Sebastian's gift bag, still containing the large chunk of obsidian that you gave to him last night. He had either forgotten to take it with him in the heat of the moment, or decided that he didn't want it anymore. Just thinking about the possibility of either of those being true breaks your heart all over again.

You want to cry.

You want to turn back time and do yesterday all over again.

You want Sebastian.

But, ultimately, none of those things are in the cards for you.

You have no tears left to cry. You cannot control time. And, worst of all, Sebastian seems to not actually want you.

It's not like I can blame him. I was really harsh last night. If everything that Sam has told me is true, then he's probably feeling really conflicted and confused about Abigail clearly not returning his affection. After everything I said last night, I wouldn't doubt that he wants nothing to do with me anymore.

You try to shake away the negative thoughts that are beginning to swirl around your mind, before it turns into something more than you're capable of handling. You reach for your phone and tap the screen, illuminating your lock screen and scrolling through your notifications. Your heart drops into your stomach at a gut-wrenching realization.

Sebastian never texted me to say goodnight.

It...really must be over.

Your blood runs cold, and your heart feels like it ceases to beat. Your body, your mind, and your soul go numb. You haven't felt so cold since before you opened the letter from Grandpa.

No! Please... Not again. I was finally getting better!

You squeeze your eyes shut and take a deep breath.

No. I will not let this boy send me into despair, when I still have so much that I have to be grateful for. I still have Sam, Penny, Shane, Emily, Leah, Elliott... I am not alone.

You sit up in bed and rub your eyes. "I can't control time, and I'm okay with that," you whisper.

A warm rush washes over you, and a small flicker of hope lights inside of your heart. "But I know someone who might be able to."

After hastily throwing on your clothes for the day, you bolt to the restroom to brush your hair and your teeth. Upon exiting the bathroom, you find Penny waiting for you.