One more day

chapter 29

Nick's pov <3

It wasn't really shocking as such to find out Julia had been starving herself. Deep down I knew that's what was happening, I just had hope that I was wrong.

I look down at Julia as I stroke her thin hair, who's sound asleep. When I saw her again for the first time I knew something wasn't right. It had only been a year yet she had somehow become two times smaller and her hair was no longer thick and shiny. That wasn't healthy, and it wasn't normal; but I somehow had the slightest bit of hope that it wasn't as it seemed because I couldn't think of any reason why someone as vibrant and happy as she was, could turn into this. I wanna know all of it, I want to understand. How did it start? When did it fully consume her? Why did she let it? I have so many questions, but I'm in no position to ask them. I can only support her. She doesn't deserve this. How haven't her parents noticed? How hasn't anyone noticed? If it was so completely obvious to me, why has no one else said anything? How do I even help her? 

I pull out my phone and start doing all the research I can on how to support her. Very few websites provide answers, most just say to go to a professional which honestly might not be a bad idea. I don't know how much help I can provide, especially compared to someone who deals with these types of things probably weekly. How common even is this? Do professionals see this daily? I take down notes of all the useful information I can find on how I can support her, and I also write down the name and number of a well-reviewed doctor who's pretty local and specializes in this kind of stuff. I'm going to need to ask questions. Find the root of the problem to fully extinguish it. That's the only way to face any problem in life, find the cause and eliminate it. If I can get Julia to find her cause, she can help herself out of this.

I move her fragile body under the sheets and I let her sleep in peace. I gather my things to leave, and before I even make it to the door a voice stops me.

"Stay in the spare room." Jo, Julia's mum, said. "I can see she's struggling with something at the moment, and I think her waking up to you being here will make her feel less alone." I simply nodded in return and took my things to the spare room, and I immediately fell asleep

I woke up at around 9 am and went over to Julia's room. I gently knocked, and after hearing no response I slowly opened the door to see her still completely fast asleep. I close the door and head downstairs, looking through the expansive living room window to see that Jo's car is gone, meaning she's at work. I started making coffee for me and Julia. I grabbed a carton of full cream milk and Julia's almond milk, putting two sugars in my coffee and none in hers. I poured in the milk and put everything away before returning to her room and putting the two cups of coffee on the bedside table. I sat down next to her and started sipping on my coffee whilst I waited for her to wake up, which didn't take very long.

"Good morning, sunshine." I said as she started to sit up and stretch. "How'd you sleep?"

She hesitated slightly before replying, "Yeah fine. You?"

"Yeah fine" I replied. We were both lying, and I think we both knew we were lying. The dark circles under her eyes are more prominent than ever. "I made coffee" I spoke softly, handing her the coffee I made. She smiled sweetly and muttered a "thank you". My night consisted of piling up questions and trying to figure out the answers, I only got about 3 hours of sleep. So much has happened recently, I can't even imagine how stressed out she must be.
"Good coffee," she tells me, and she looks at me, her eyes lit up with joy and contentment. God I love her eyes, it's always the most noticeable thing about her. The beautiful ocean blue swirls around, with a mixture of emotions.

"Thank you, I did my best." I said, giving a proud smile that she is happy with my coffee-making abilities. I am no qualified barista but I know Julia like the back of my hand.

With us drinking our coffee in silence, I can't help but notice the awkward tension in the room, with one question, or topic I should say, looming over us like a bunch of dark clouds, threatening to unleash a storm; breakfast. I'm not sure how to bring up the topic of food, or the subject of the two guys who tried to fuck her up the other night. She should report them to the police, but again not my choice and definitely not my business.

I try and think about what might be going on in her mind, she's snapping her hair tie on her wrist, something I've noticed over the years as being a way to calm herself down and ease her anxiety. So she's probably on the same topic of thoughts as I am. If I didn't want to eat, what would I prefer to eat? She likes fruit, so something with fruit. Maybe french toast with strawberries? That's a healthy breakfast. I look over to her to see her zoned out, still snapping her hair tie on her wrist, her coffee cup empty and sitting on her side table.

"Jules?" I speak out softly. She snaps out of it and looks at me with a soft smile.

"Yeah?" She questions. She looks absolutely exhausted.

"I'm going to go make some food. Do you wanna come?" I ask, making sure it sounds like a question and not a demand.

"Yeah, sure." She says hopping out of bed. She's got those cute little fluffy shorts on and a singlet, immediately wrapping her arms around herself when she's out of the comfort of her bed. I take my hoodie off without a second thought.

"Arms up." I said, signalling I would be putting this on her. She reluctantly did, and I put the hoodie through her arms and over her head. It swallowed her whole. I don't think I had any more clothes here, with them being all dirty and worn, so it looked like I was going shirtless. She had a slight tint of pink on her face, us being so close in proximity and my skin on display to her. She's blushing. Her eyes obviously trailing on me, specifically my arms. I pretend I don't notice.

I don't like to be a bragger but I know I've got a pretty good body. I'm not an overly determined bodybuilder or anything but, I hit the gym quite a bit and do runs, so I have some muscles and my abs are slightly prominent.

She unexpectedly pulls me in for a hug, and I hug her with every ounce of love I can put into a hug. One of her hands is around my side, trailing up and down my back, feeling my skin, the other getting tangled in my hair, pulling me close to her. Fuck do I love her hands in my hair. My hands are in a similar placement, one at the back of her neck holding her close to me, the other around her waist. We just stay like that for a while, I start drawing circles on her back over the top of her hoodie. I know she's always loved touch, she didn't get much physical affection from her family growing up. Before I was forced to leave, we would always cuddle skin to skin, her just in a crop top or a singlet, and she would demand I take my shirt off so she can feel me, feel my warmth and my comfort, feel my heartbeat. I wasn't sure if that was something she still enjoyed, or whether she's gotten into a relationship in the time I've been gone and received all that comfort she craved from someone else. I should probably ask if she's in a relationship, I don't think a boyfriend would be too happy with how close we are.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when she starts to pull away, so I mirror that and pull away too, keeping my hand on her neck to bring her forehead to my lips, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling away fully. I look at her to see her eyes flick up to mine, looking a bit calmer than before. I grab her hand and start moving towards the door, heading downstairs.

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I am alive and I am well. 

I did not realise it had been nearly a fucking year since I updated this story and I am so so so sorry. I appreciate all of your support. I've been swamped with my course, my partner, my mental health and just life. Anyways I'm nearly finished with my course now so I'm aiming to set more time aside to work on this story. I hope you have all been doing well, staying hydrated and healthy. 

Enjoy this chapter my loves <3

- J :)