The Brightest Star

61. Leo

Leo's POV

I couldn't believe I ruined the whole day. Just when I started to feel like myself again and enjoy being in the city like I used to, that man had to show up. Ava took so much from that rich guy that I couldn't remember the name of. Despite what King said in the car, I was a horrible person, and then to have him come face to face with that. How could I look King in the eyes again after everything that man said to him?

I sat on the bed, picking at the loose skin around my fingernails. I just wanted to numb the thought of how much of a disappointment I was to everyone around me. My father saw it, and soon, King would kick me out too.

I've done nothing but cause trouble for him and his family since we met. I couldn't understand why he still wanted me around. My own father didn't want me anymore, and he was the only family I had. My mother was gone. Everything was falling apart, and I didn't know what to do.

A wave of heat followed immediately by chills ran across my body, making my body begin to shiver. I rubbed my arms as my stomach turned. I just wanted this feeling to stop. I wanted it all to stop.

I sank into the bed, wrapping the covers around me, but it didn't feel like enough. King walked into the room holding two mugs of hot chocolate, but the thought of drinking it made me sick as my stomach turned again.

"Are you okay?" he asked quickly, putting the mugs on the nightstand before moving to my side.

I tried to swallow down the lump in my throat. "I think I'm going to go take a shower," I answered, not ready to move yet, but I didn't want to burden King any more than I already had today.

"Shit. Are you getting sick again? We shouldn't have gone for that walk after all. I'll get you some meds. Do you want some water?"

I slowly pushed myself up, nodding my head slightly. He rushed out of the room, returning in what felt like seconds with a water bottle. He took the cap off while kneeling in front of me.

"You look really pale? Maybe you could take a nap instead. You can shower when you wake up."

The shivering only worsened as I sipped on the water. "I'll feel better after a shower. I'll be fine," I say, brushing past him to the bathroom.

Once inside and the warm water covered my skin, I rubbed the soap over my arms, taking long, deep breaths to calm myself. I just had to keep telling myself it would be over soon. It wasn't the first time it's happened since the hospital, and it was like my punishment for what I did. A reminder that I didn't deceive to be happy and feel okay.

After getting out of the shower, I realized I never grabbed clean clothes, so I had to check the hall before running back into the room. King froze as I closed the door behind me, his eyes dropping low, but I quickly turned to hide my arm that was holding the towel around me before he could see the scars.

"I... I forgot to get clothes before leaving," I admitted, feeling my cheeks heat.

King cleared his throat as I heard the bed creak before he stepped closer to begs we got earlier filled with new clothes. "I'll get them for you. Are you feeling better?" He started shuffling through the clothes.

"A little." It wasn't a lie. My stomach wasn't turning as much, but I could feel my body shaking still and the stiffness of my muscles.

"I'm sorry for earlier," he mumbled, holding clothes out for me.

My head snapped over to him, widening my eyes. "What?" Why would he be sorry? He didn't do anything wrong.

King didn't look up as he stayed low to the ground. Letting out a long sigh, he rubbed his forehead. "I'm just sorry you had to hear all of that."