Love Restrained | Yellowjackets

chapter ten

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Night had fallen over the cabin. Everyone was sound asleep, their breathing steady and rhythmic. Hayden lied there among the girls, staring up at the ceiling. Despite the exhaustion from the day she had, sleep eluded her. Her mind buzzed with so many things.

Unable to find peace, she quietly slipped out of her spot and tiptoed to the door, careful not to wake anyone. By the door, she caught a glimpse of the piano in corner, probably untouched for years. It reminded her of her mother. She forced that memory away, not wanting one more thought in her mind.

The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, but she didn't mind it. She wrapped her arms around herself and sat there on the porch.

The sounds of the forest filling the silence. Hayden took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing mind. She looked at the trees ahead. Just trees for miles and miles.

Lost in her thoughts, Hayden was startled when she heard someone talking to her.

"Hey, it's cold here." She turned to see Lottie walking over to stand beside here.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up?" Hayden thought she had been quiet.

"No," Lottie shook her head, managing a small, tired smile. "But you left the door open."

Hayden glanced over the open door, rubbing her eyes.

Lottie sat beside her. "Are you ok?" She asked softly.

"Yeah," she sighed, "Just couldn't sleep."

Lottie nodded, understanding. She followed Hayden's gaze and stared at the forest ahead them. They stood together in comfortable silence for a moment, the night air cool and refreshing.

The familiarity of having Lottie by her side brought a sense of comfort that Hayden hadn't felt in days.

"It's scary, isn't it?" Lottie broke the silence.

She didn't need to elaborate on it for Hayden to know what she was talking about. "It's terrifying," her voice barely above a whisper, "I feel like I'm gonna lose my mind at any moment."

"I think I've already lost mine."

Hayden turned to face her. Lottie kept her eyes ahead. "You okay? You know, after what happened up there."

Lottie let out a deep breath. "I don't know, I feel weird, but I'll be fine," she shrugged, "Just my head hurts a little."

"I was so worried about you, but I didn't get to talk to you after," Hayden told her, "I was looking for you this morning."

Lottie still didn't look at her, "Yeah. I'm okay, it's just, the girls," she paused for a second, "they keep giving me these looks and I don't know, maybe I'm crazy-"

"Hey, no." Hayden cut her off before she started to overthink it, "Don't say that. You're not crazy okay." She placed a reassuring hand on Lottie's arm.

Lottie sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She gave Hayden a weak smile, fighting the tears in her eyes.

"I think I might have something for your head packed in my bag, or what's left of it. I'll look for it first thing in the morning." Hayden squeezed her arm gently.

Lottie nodded, grateful for the suggestion. She then turned to Hayden and went for a hug. Hayden felt the warmth of the sudden contact. She felt Lottie immediately relaxing.

"Thanks for always having my back." Lottie whispered.

"I love you, Lottie."

"I love you too."