When I Met You

Chapter 7 - Chelsea's POV

 His bathroom was rather large considering how small the rest of his apartment was. I reached into the shower and turned the knob. In an instance, water came spewing out everywhere, cold as ice. Whilst I waited for the water to heat up, I stripped away my clothing and what was left of my confidence. That must have been one god awful birthday. I couldn't believe I was in a stranger's house. It was difficult to wrap my head around. The last thing I remember was Blake forcing himself on me like he always did when I was vulnerable. He knew he couldn't get much from me any other way. I mean, I can't blame him. I was just an insecure woman with a broken heart. I loved him. I really did, but I couldn't make myself love him the way he wanted me to. It just hurt too much. Every touch. I couldn't help but wonder, why does he stay with a girl like me?

I looked at myself in the mirror as self-hatred took over my mind. Why couldn't I be like Harper? She had the perfect body. I envied her pin-straight blonde hair as I glared at my long, matted locks. She had the most perfect skin, while my entire face was covered in freckles. I imagined her baby blue eyes piercing my soul, because the blue in mine was too dark. She had the perfect size breasts and I barely fit a 34B. Most importantly though, she had the biggest heart, while mine was still shattered from 8 years ago. Would I ever be able to move on?

As the room filled with steam, the mirror began to cloud my thoughts. I stepped into the warmth, the water hit me like that pang of guilt in my chest. What the hell did I do?

After that shower, I felt refreshed and less hungover. Unfortunately, I had no other clothes⎯besides the panties and t-shirt I was wearing⎯to put back on. Which made me feel slightly icky, but it was better than waltzing around naked in Nick's apartment. Shit, Nick. I hope I didn't do anything too stupid.

That was when I decided I should probably confront the truth, instead of delaying the inevitable. I gently pushed the bathroom door open as I released breath, I didn't know I was holding. It's now or never.

Turning the corner to walk down the hallway, my heart began running a marathon. I found my feet taking myself to the living as if I knew exactly where it was. Ummm, that's definitely not concerning. As I glanced around, I noticed how barren the walls were. There was not a single pop of color in this place. It looked like a man was leaving here to say the least. However, to my surprise everything was tidy and clean, unlike Blake's house. There was also a faint smell of lavender, or vanilla, maybe something sweet lofting the air. It was refreshing to my senses.

I peered into the sitting area to find Nick with his face buried into a book. He looked so concentrated. As a grin creeped across his lips, he paused to slowly shut whatever he was indulging in. His dark eyes peered up to meet my gaze.

An awkward silence filled the room, because neither of us knew what was best to say at that moment. I racked my brain hoping to find something that could relieve the tension in the atmosphere, but as I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out.

Nick ended up breaking through the silence with an awkward, "Chelsea." He patted to the vacant spot next to him on the couch. "Uh- you can sit, if you'd like?"

I obliged and sank into the comfortable sofa, letting out a sigh. I brought my hands to my face and shook my head whilst saying, "I didn't-uh do anything too stupid-like we-uh didn't-"

His soft voice interrupted me. "No, Chelsea." His warm smile made my heart relax.

I was able to pry my hands from my face enough to look at him and manage an, "oh," with my slightly cracking voice.

His eyes softened, but he quickly glanced away. Was there something on my face?

"I'm sorry." I wasn't sure what for, but it felt like the right thing to say. Plus, those words normally fixed all the problems in my life, especially when it came to men. I just didn't know what else to say. Clearly, I was in the wrong, because I was at his house, taking up his time. When I really should be with Blake. Why aren't I with Blake?

He immediately snapped his head in my direction. "For what?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure."

With pain in his eyes he responded. "Chelsea, you didn't do anything wrong. You have nothing to apologize for. You don't owe anything to anyone in that way."

"Well, clearly I did something wrong, because I ended up here." I mumbled.

"You are fine, Chelsea. You were just extremely drunk, okay? I couldn't leave you there with him or your drunken friends." I could hear the pain in his voice when he said, him. I knew exactly who he was talking about. I can't believe a stranger was more inclined to help me than my own friends. God, I had some shitty friends. It was not like they were really my friends, more like Harper's.

"I'm sorry, Nick." The tears swelling in my eyes were becoming unbearable, but I really didn't want to cry in front of him.

He must have noticed, because before I knew it he scooted closer to me and wrapped his arms around me. I didn't even fight it, because it felt quite nice for a change. As I breathed him in, it was a calming scent.

"It's okay, Chelsea. You are safe now." With those words, the river of tears began to soak his shoulder that was now clothed. If only I could stay in this ignorant bliss forever, but deep down I knew that everything would not be okay.