Strawberries And Crows (Canceled, For Now)

Part 14- Rest

I groan, shifting in my sheets. Suddenly, I remember what happened yesterday morning, and I sit up. My breathing is fast, unsteady. 

Elizabeth's mother is standing outside the door, arguing with my parents, Well, my father. My mother seemingly agrees with her. Elizabeth is standing behind her mother, awkward.

" It's disgusting behaviour. To think my daughter would marry that- that- thing! " Tears are In her eyes. 

" I assure you, this is a one time mistake. Give him another chance, if he does ANYTHING like this ever again, he wont even be my son anymore. "

" Mum..? " I choke out, but she can't hear me. 

Elizabeth looks up, meeting my eyes. " Guys..." Elizabeth tugs on her mum's sleeve, pointing to me. " She's awake. " 

" Oh, darling. " My mum runs over to me, pulling me into her arms. " Thank god. Thank god. " she mutters. My breathing slows. 

 " Kalese. " My father says. " Will you be okay to stand? " He says. 

I nod. 

" Good. You should go back up to your room. " He orders. 

" Honey, I'm going to stay here with Elizabeth's mother and your father, Elizabeth will accompany you to your room, okay? "

I nod again. 

Elizabeth rushes over to me, her feet clicking on the ground. 

" Oh, Kalese. " She pulls me into a tight hug, her fingers in my hair. I hug her back. 

" Let's go. " I whisper into her ear. 

She helps me out of the nurse's bed, then walks with me all the way to my room. 

My bedroom door squeaks open, and we step inside. 

I walk over to my bed, and flop down in it. 

" Bye, Kalese. " Elizabeth says from my doorway, leaning her head on the doorframe. 

" Wait, you're leaving? " I say. 

" Well, I assumed you wanted to rest. " She sighed. 

" I- I " I stutter. 

" Sorry, Kalese, It's your father's orders. " She closes the door quietly. 

I lay in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It's probably been an hour by now. 

I turn my head, gazing out the window. 

It's still dark. 

I stand out of bed, my legs weak. I walk over to my door, opening it silently. I look both ways, for any maids or butlers or... 

I jog down to Elizabeth's room, then nock on the the door. I pull it open.

Elizabeth sits up in her bed, " Kalese? " She mutters, wiping her eyes. " What are you..? " 

" I can't be in that room right now. " I whisper.

" Ok, come here. " she sighs, stretching out an arm for me to lie down in her bed. 

I snuggle in, her arm over my shoulder (Which is plenty difficult with our height difference.)

She fiddles with my hair, twirling her fingers through it. " Do you wanna... Talk about it? " 

I stay silent. 

" I mean, Our parents really want to know... He hasn't told them anything... but if you want to tell me, I won't tell them. " Elizabeth says, her fingers still in my hair. 

" Wait a second. " I say, breathing in deep. " I- I'll tell you. " 

And I do tell her.

And somehow, by the end I'm crying on her shoulder, and she's hugging me closer.  

" Hey... " 

Through my tears I sniffle, " Weren't you drunk earlier? " I awkwardly laugh. 

" It's been a two full days, Kalese. " 

The tears keep flowing.

( Two hours later) 

The door swings open and I hear someone let out a sigh of relief. 

" Kalese- You scared me for a second there. " It's Alice, with Tom close behind her. 

I open my eyes. "Hey guys. " I'm fully aware of how close Elizabeth and I are, and how this will just strengthen their idea of me 'liking' her. 

" We went into your room and you weren't there. " Tom says. " We panicked. " 

I turn to my side, poking Elizabeth until she wakes up. 

" Oh. Hey guys. " She yawns, sitting up. 

"What're you two..." Alice elbows Tom in the gut with a glare. He growls back at her and rolls his eyes. " I'm glad you're okay, Kalese. " 

" Me too. " Alice says. 

" Same. " I find myself saying, tired

"Well, we just wanted to check on you, see if your alright. Seems so, we'll be off now. " Alice says. 

" See ya, picnic tomorrow by the way. " Tom says.

I nod, drifting back to sleep already. 

( End of part 14)