Grey and Ocean's Fate | JenLisa

Chapter 29

Her breathing seemed to ease under my touch, her limbs no longer shivering to the wave of her thoughts. And as I held her, calming her the only way I knew how, my heart shattered for her. I knew what this was like and I didn't wish it on anybody, not even my worst enemy.

"Lisa?" I whispered her name, trying my best not to alarm her.

She continued to hold me tightly, not yet giving me a sign that she was ready to let go, so I let her stay there for a little while longer, knowing her breathing began to slow and her sobs barely stopping.

"Lisa?" I called again, and this time, her grip on my sweater loosened.

Her head shifted and moved away from me, sitting against the bookshelf rubbing her face, wiping the dread from her face.

"I'm sorry you had to see that... you shouldn't-" She began, hiding her face from me. "I won't be a burden to you."

I looked down at my thighs and thought for a moment.

"You know, when my mother had panic attacks, we usually went for a drive and explored a part of the town we hadn't discovered yet. It was the only way I could take her mind off from the things that haunted her."

"I'm not haunted by anything." She said coldly, and then finally, she looked at me.

I could barely stand the sight of her worn out face and drawn eyes. There was something about them that screamed for help, yet kept to themselves in panic. They were sunken, shedding a thousand tears before them.

"Nevertheless, thank you. Thank you for..." She breathed lightly. "For being here."

I smiled at her, small and understandingly. Then I stood up and held my hands out for her to hold on to.

"How do you feel about exploring?"

Lisa looked up at me with knitted brows. "What?"

"Come on, Manoban. Don't tell me you're afraid of a little nature." I teased gently, aware of the emotional strain she was just through.

"It's not that." Lisa shook her head. "I don't understand... why?"

I considered my next answer carefully.

"I was always taught to treat people with kindness no matter who they are or what they've done. Even if sometimes, they may not deserve it." I smiled and nodded towards my extended hands. "Are you going to leave me hanging forever?"

Lisa stared at me, blank from expression. Then, she placed her large hands into mine and picked herself up from the floor. She was more composed now, tall but not her usual stern self.

I went back to where I had been studying and packed up my things. Lisa following close behind, however not saying a word.

While we made our way outside of the library, I looked through my busted bag for my car keys. The task was particularly difficult since my hands were cold and unsteady. Yet, when Lisa saw me struggling, she offered to look for them herself. I didn't say anything while I handed the bag to her, though I was questioning her intentions, wondering if she would take this as an advantage to look through my belongings and mock me like she had done before.

"Would you like me to drive?" Harmlessly, she handed me the bag again.

"Do you have specific place you want to go?"

"I have one in mind. I haven't been before, but I've wanted to go for a while. It's tranquil." She added. "I think you might like it."

I nodded and hugged the bag to my chest.

Before we got to my car, Lisa disappeared, telling me she needed to get something. I had no idea where she went, but soon after I saw her leading closer to me with something large and dark brunched up in her hands.