fragile time

~chapter 7~

Chapter 7: "The Thing You Told Me Not To Do."

~✶~

"You did what?" Taylor professed as the five other members of our team sat in different places, scattered around the room on top of a variety of pillows, blankets, bean bags, and couches. Our only sources of light were the moonlight outside Emily refused to meet my eyes as I stood in the corner of the room, shame fueling my words.

"I went to the Cave of Confusion... alone. I know I shouldn't have done it, and I'm sorry. I really am." I professed, "I just thought..."

"You thought what?" Xavier spat, "That you would get killed? That you lied to us? That you would hurt your friends? Oh wait, no." He grew louder with every word, wings flaring higher and higher, "Of course not. You never think of us! You never ask what we think is best! That's the one thing I hate about you! You think you're the smartest person in the world! You always go off by yourself! It's always 'me, myself, alone' all the time! I know I, for one, do a lot of the things I do for you!" He stood. " I actually CARE ABOUT YOU! I OPEN UP A LOT TO YOU! AND YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL BE THAT YOU'RE GOING SOMEWHERE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY KILL YOU?! WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, MICHEAL SUMMERS! CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT?!"

He paused as the room froze from his outburst. His wings slowly died down as he inhaled sharply. "Or are you too blinded by pride to ask for help?"

I dumbfoundedly opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. "That's what I thought." Xavier finished, sitting back down.

"Summers had good intentions." Emily mumbled, more to herself than to Xavier, "He was only trying to help. He didn't wan—."
"Oh, shut up, Emily!" Taylor's voice cracked as she spoke, "Don't defend him! You know he messed up!"

"'Don't defend him'?! I'm not sure if you've realized, but that is your brother! People make mistakes! So, he could've died? He didn't. And now we don't have to risk ourselves, thanks to him."

I swallowed. "Thank you, Emily, but they're right. I shouldn't have gone. I did the thing you told me not to do, and I put myself in grave danger. I mean, I risked hurting all of you forever. I could've gotten seriously injured... or worse. I just didn't want you all to get hurt, so it seemed like a good idea at the moment. I can see now that it was stupid and reckless of me. There's no excuse." I made sure to look each of them in the eye so they knew I meant what I said, "I'm so, so sorry. And I... um, understand if you don't forgive me. But, for the sake of my mentality, I beg that you do."

Everyone was quiet as my apology sunk in. To my surprise, Blade was the first one to speak, "I'm willing to forget this, for right now, anyway."

"I forgive you." Lillith chimed in. I nodded to the two of them in appreciation. I needed everyone, but I knew it was going to be hard earning back the trust I'd lost.

Taylor cleared her throat, "I don't like to hold grudges." She crossed her arms across her chest. "Plus, you got us a new pet."

I thanked her and turned towards Xavier, pleading internally he would be next. Meeting my eyes, he realized the pressure was on him. His shoulders rose from a deep inhale before he spoke. "You're alive. That's all that matters, right?" He muttered, "And if I know you, I know you mean what you say."

All eyes turned towards Emily, who was gazing intently at the ground. Out of everyone, I knew Emily was going to be the hardest one to get through to. I knew it was going to be the most difficult to rebuild our trust. We were supposed to tell each other everything...

"'Not you. We.'" Emily quoted herself, still refusing to look up, "That's what I said. You told me you understood. But you still went anyway."

"I know." I almost whispered.