All the hours

Chapter 7

                                                                                           Rayne

My head starts to pound before I even open my eyes for the first time this morning. By instinct, my right hand flies to clutch at my hair, while my left one searches around for my phone rapidly, only to find it nowhere. Slowly and unwillingly I inch my eyes open, hissing from the light flooding my room. God, has it always been this bright in here?

Eventually, fighting against the pain, I'm able to sit upright against the soft, plush headboard and slump my head down into my hands. Swiveling my head, I spot my phone on the nightstand, and its face lights up, staring back at me, with a bold '3:32' written across the top half of the screen. A soft cry leaves my lips as I try to remember what happened last night, but nothing comes to mind. I have no clue where I ended up, or how I returned home, or who changed me into my pajamas, or who put me to sleep. Although this doesn't happen often, but when it does, I'm stuck trying to think of all the possible ways the night could've gone downhill. 

As if on cue, the softest knock on the door sends ripples through my spine as I grab onto my hair harder and groan atrociously. Emilia-knowing all my habits-walks through the door swiftly with a tray of medicine and glass of water. She knows this house and all the people living in it like nobody's business, and God, do I love her for it! Even after working here for the past 26, she still isn't sick of us, and if that isn't persistence, then I don't know what is.

"Good afternoon Rayne. Tough night?" She says aloud, while setting the tray down on the table and strutting towards the balcony to open the curtains. Her heels click against the marble floors rapidly, reminding me of the storm behind my forehead. I have no energy other than to hum a response , and reach out for the advil and the water lying beside me. Once Emilia is satisfied with the sky beyond the glass panes, she comes and sits next to me, her presence a soothing element. 

I shift in my position and lay my head down in her lap, hoping for another chance to close my eyes again. Her hands massaging my scalp feel like Heaven on Earth. "How'd I get home last night?" I question, eyes still closed, praying silently for a sensible answer. "Well, I can't say you were sober, but I can't say you could walk straight either. Kaden brought you ho-" I cut her off and turn to face her, thrown back by the mention of his name. "Kaden? Kaden brought me home?" This emits a loud sigh from Emilia, as she rests her head on the cushion behind her, and then back to me. "Yes Kaden. Kaden brought you home. He seemed quite upset, Rayne. He didn't even stay when you asked him to."

Out of no where, all the memories of last night hit me like a truck, jolting me back to life. Kaden alone at the water. Alexa and I dancing till we couldn't breathe. Some guy trying to get me to leave the party with him. 

Kaden punching him. 

The look on Kaden's face when he said he was tired. 

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. 

One day and I've already messed it all up again. I've got to go talk to him. Right. Now