Marliza - And they were romates!

Chapter 21

Maria POV

By Sunday I felt better. And by Sunday we began writing.

Eliza and I met Aaron in the library early in the morning. Aaron was writing, I was telling him my story and Eliza... Well she gave ideas on how to formulate, but also acted as emotional support while I was reliving all of my worst memories.

We wrote and rewrote until about 1 pm where we went to get lunch. We went to the same cafe we had met at yesterday. After lunch we continued.

It was difficult telling everything James had done to me over the years in such great detail. It was almost like I was back in time with him. I was only getting through it because of Eliza.

After writing an entire day we weren't even halfway. We still thought it best to stop for now and get some rest. We would resume tomorrow after classes.

Eliza and I walked hand in hand fingers entwined back to our dorm. I was resting my head on her shoulder. I was so tired and so it seemed Eliza was too. She let out a long yawn while opening the door to the dorm.

She almost carried me to my room and into my bed. When she set me down she cowered me with a blanket and turned to leave.

"Stay." I mumbled to her. I didn't want to be alone after a day of reliving my worst moments.

She turned back to me. Then slowly but surely she made her way back over to my bed. Looking at me for a second before sliding under the blanket and joining me.

I smiled at her in the dark room. Through the darkness I managed to see her smile as well. Now I was the one wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer. She kissed me on the forehead and said those same three words to me.

"I love you."

"I love you too." with that I fell asleep.

***

Over the next week we worked non-stop on the article. We worked before, between and after classes.

Aaron was a big help and he had also quickly become my friend. He said Hamilton had barely even noticed that he was gone. He was too busy planning his next debate against Jefferson. I only knew it was something about France.

One night after spending hours writing, I fell asleep just when my head hit the pillow. It had been a good dream. Until James appeared and suddenly I had been back in his room that night. He had started touching me and then... I woke up.

Eliza had heard me screaming in my sleep and hadn't hesitated to burst in my room to wake me. After that I had been to scared to go back to sleep. Eliza had held me for hours while tears streamed down my face until I finally fell asleep.

The nights after that Eliza had stayed with me at night. Making sure I didn't attract any more nightmares. It helped having her with me. She made me feel safe.

***

Tuesday the following week we were done. The article was ready to be published. We were all three exhausted and already running on multiple cups of coffee.

We planned to release it on all social media Friday at midnight. Then we would have a couple days to get some rest and plan the last details.