Forget Me Not || HIATUS

Chapter 14 - Comfort

Chade

47 missed calls, 63 unanswered messages, all from Jade. I didn't feel like responding to any of them. In fact, I've had enough of her acting as if she's the victim, when she raped me in public. My mind has been made up for the past few days now, I'm definitely breaking up with her, I just need to find the time and courage to do so.

I sighed, changing position on my bed. When I haven't been going to school, I've been spending my days just lying in my sheets, pondering about what's next. My phone buzzed, yet another message from Jade, this time calling me an ungrateful twat from ignoring her, because all she's ever done was with my best interest in mind.

When I started avoiding her at school, she finally put two and two together, realising that I was pissed off because of what she did at the fair. Although, she's quite inept at understanding that what she did is morally wrong, her persistent whining is proof of it. I groaned, rolling over to the cool side of my bedsheets. In a sudden surge of inspiration, I decided to call Tristan. I needed someone to speak to after all, someone who wasn't my judgemental father or stressful mother.

The line rang a few times and then went straight to answer phone. I called again, this time leaving a voice message as he must be busy to not answer immediately. I texted him my address, remembering that he had never been to my place before. I sat up, patiently waiting for a response or any sign of life from the brunet.

My phone buzzed a mere few minutes later, possibly Tristan, definitely Jade. I decided to take those odds and checked it, and lo and behold, it was the former. I breathed a sigh of relief, he had messaged me, saying that he was on his way.

Now all I have to do is wait, alone with my darkening thoughts. I wasn't feeling betrayed or heartbroken, I was simply unfeeling, simply filled with a growing emptiness. I needed someone to help fill the new void inside, and for some reason, I thought Tristan could help. My logic was that maybe if I talked about my emotions for once, I would feel better.

I stared at my plain ceiling, forcing the memories back down to their designated pit in my stomach. I pushed them into the deep chasm that Jade had ripped through my body, leaving them to be processed later.

The doorbell rang out through the empty house, echoing through the desolate corridors, startling me from my daze. I snapped up to my feet, dragging myself down the stairs. I opened up the door to Tristan's solemn face. He seemed defeated, which lead me to think that something bad happened. He hasn't talked to Sushan at all week, I didn't think anything of it but a theory quietly formed in my mind.

"Hi." He finally said, I motioned for him to step in, and so he did, looking around my house, a glint of curiosity in his eye.

"Hey, do you want a cup of tea?" He nodded, requesting for earl grey with extra sugar, I smiled and got to brewing the drink. He took the hot mug from me with a tiny grin, bringing it up to take a small sip. I finally looked into his eyes and noticed how red they were. He must have been crying.

"Can we... go upstairs?" I asked, he smiled faintly, following me up without even uttering a single word. Strange, he's usually very chatty, I thought, confused by his behaviour. Something really bad must have happened.

We arrived at my overdecorated bedroom, it was the only place in the house to have some kind of personality or style, all the other rooms were plainly decorated with a monochromatic palette, rendering them cold and uninviting.

I plopped down onto my bed, taking a sip of my beverage, Tristan spun around absorbing his surroundings. He walked over to a clutter of posters embellishing my walls.

"You have interesting taste in films." He uttered after some time. I scoffed, playing with my bedsheets.

"How dare you judge Interstellar? The greatest cinematic masterpiece of all time!" He chuckled at my mock outrage, joining me on the bed.

"What did you want to talk about?" He muttered. His eyes held no life, as if a vacuum had come and sucked up his soul. I took a deep breath looking away from his vacant expression.

"Um, well... you know the fair that happened a week ago?" I asked, he nodded, confusion blossoming in his once distant gaze.

"Yeah, I saw you there with Jade." He answered, eyebrows knotting together.

"Well... uhh, something... happened when we went on a ride." I continued, a small tremor appearing in my voice. Empathy and curiosity enveloped Tristan's face, reassuring me in a subtle way.

I told him what had occurred that night, recounting everything in vivid detail. By the end of my story, my cheeks were wet with warm tears, eyes puffy and red. Tristan put a comforting hand on my shoulder as I sobbed into my palms.

"I-I just... I feel so alone." I choked out between hiccups, "I feel like I don't have any real friends and it's... just so unbearably lonely." I felt gentle arms encapsulate me, drawing me in for a soothing embrace. I was shocked for a second, and then I finally leaned into the contact, enjoying how the brunet's warmth made me feel.

"It's okay." He whispered, stroking my tousled hair and patting my back. I cried harder, chest heaving in his arms.

We stayed like this for what felt like an eternity, but realistically, it was probably only about two minutes. He pulled away slowly, holding me at arms length. His own tears had begun to flow. I watched as his composure dissolved and my heart broke for him. He sobbed, covering his mouth to stop himself. I could see him blush from embarrassment. This time, I was the one who was confused.

"Hey! Hey, what's wrong?" I cooed, placing my hands on his shoulders, trying to be as soothing as possible, returning the favour. He shook his head in denial.

"No, no it's nothing." He choked out, I frowned deeper, it was very obviously not "nothing".

"Bullshit, now please tell me what's wrong?" I prodded gently, keeping my voice calm and lighthearted. He wiped off his tears and began explaining.

My stomach sank like a lump of lead, this poor boy. I felt my heart swell with empathy and pain for him. He has suffered so much in such a short amount of time. He had not only recounted his encounter with Sushan's parents but also the night that they had spent together. I felt terrible for this poor kid, he doesn't deserve any of the hate he has endured.

It was my turn to embrace him in a soothing hug. He reciprocated happily, squeezing me tight, not showing any of signs of letting go. I caressed the soft hair on the nape of his neck, cooing soft words. He rested his head on my shoulder, gripping my jumper as sobs wracked his whole body.

This embrace lasted longer than the previous one, as we broke apart after about five minutes.

"God, aren't we just a mess?" I muttered as he pulled away reluctantly. I wiped away his tears with the pad of my thumb, my eyes surveyed his features, combing over his lightly freckled skin. They lingered for a moment on his swollen lips, I turned them away, looking at the cups on the bedside table. I grabbed them both, handing him his half empty mug. I finished mine off in one giant swig. He emptied his quickly, taking small rapid sips of the tea.

I brought the cups downstairs as he followed. We stayed silent, apart from a wet sniffle every now and then. After putting the now full dishwasher on, I turned to Tristan.

"Do you... do you want to stay over? For the night, I mean." I asked, my heart pounding with an indiscernible emotion. His eyes widened in an open display of surprise. He nodded, leaning on one of the kitchen countertops.

"Yeah... yeah I would like that." 

*~~~*

A.N

Finally some comfort for my babies 😭❤️

I felt soooo bad writing those last few chapters like, I don't enjoy making them suffer poor darlings.

Anyway things are going to be looking up for these besties haha

Thoughts?