after the death of her mother, leighton's father sends her to a boarding school halfway across the world to be taught a lesson. she knows no one and no one knows her.
but the cherry on top is who her roommate is.
#2 in ptsdawareness
#2 in anxiety
#...
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"come down and waste away with me"
-everlong by the foo fighters
⎯⎯⎯
I sit on Kai's bed as the rain pounds relentlessly against the window, a steady drumbeat that mirrors the turmoil inside the room.
Kai's sobs, which started as jagged, raw bursts of pain, have quieted to soft, heartbreaking whimpers.
I can still feel the weight of his tears on my shoulder, his body trembling against mine.
I feel so bad but I'm horrible at comfort
I brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead, my fingers trembling slightly.
His eyes, red and puffy, meet mine.
There's a mixture of embarrassment and vulnerability in his gaze that makes my chest ache.
"It's okay," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the storm outside. "You can talk to me but you don't have to."
He nods, a small, hesitant motion, but he doesn't speak.
Instead, he leans into my touch, seeking comfort in a way that feels so foreign for him.
I pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him as tightly as I dare. His body is tense, like he's holding back even now, afraid to let go completely.
"It's okay to feel, Kai," I murmur into his hair, my words gentle but insistent. "It's okay to let it out."
He shudders, taking a deep, shivering breath.
I can feel him fighting to regain his composure, to put the pieces of his life back together.
But I don't want him to rush. He's always so strong, so in control. Maybe he needs this moment to just be broken, to just feel.
The storm outside shows no sign of letting up, and it's as if the world has paused, giving us a chance to breathe.
The air feels heavy, almost suffocating, but I try to focus on Kai, on the warmth of his body against mine. I stroke his back gently, trying to offer whatever comfort I can.
"You're not alone, you know," I say softly. "I'm here. I'll always be here."
He pulls back slightly, just enough to look at me. His expression is unreadable, a storm of emotions I can't quite decipher.
"Why? Everyone leaves and no one cares. Why you?"he asks, his voice rough and broken.
I smile, even though it feels like my heart is breaking all over again. "Because you deserve it, Kai. Because I care about you. And because sometimes, even the strongest people need someone to lean on."
