𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞

3

When the car door opened to reveal the house I knew all too well, I finally let my shoulders untense in my seat. And when I see the door of that house standing wide open, already welcoming my presence, I almost feel my eyes watering up but this time with happy tears.

Lucas helps me outside of the car, making sure I have enough support even with my crutches attached to my hands at all times, and he walks me over to Luca's house.

He gives me a quick goodbye kiss on the top of my head, and promises me it will all be okay. I just have to stay strong.

I nod in understanding, and when he finally lets me go, I'm happy to be catched by another pair of awaiting arms.

As soon as my face hits his chest, I can smell the musk scent I've known as good as my whole life, and I know I can finally let go. I know I don't have to pretend no longer, because this boy in front of me would be the only one who would see right through that carefully built facade.

I feel his large fingers stroke through my hair, and I can sense the pulse in his neck beating rapidly.

My face lets loose of his chest for just a second when I hear the front door click shut behind me, and the next thing I can see is my legs being swooped up in two pairs of muscular arms, while those also support my back when he carries me upstairs.

I let my face fall against his chest once again, and I feel my tears leaving a wet spot on the shirt that's wrapped tight around his big torso.

"Oh, Zina." I hear him whisper to me, and his voice is filled with more sympathy than I've ever heard coming from anyone. "Pretty, pretty girl." He hushes me when another sob escapes my mouth.

He lays me gently on his cushiony bed almost like I'm made of glass and he's afraid I'll break if he would touch me in the wrong way.

When I feel the mattress dip, and I know he's laid himself beside me, I immediately roll over to bury my face against his skin again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks me gently.

When I shake my head, he releases a heavy breath.

"Zina, love, look at me." He demands me, and he gently lays his index finger and tumb on both sides of my cheek in order to tilt my face up at him.

I only see the worried look displayed in his dark green eyes when my damp eyelids flutter open and connect with him.

I hear him take in a shaky breath, before he wraps his tumbs under both of my eyes and softly wipes away my tears.

"Zina..." He trails off, almost as if he needs a minute to think how he'll start this conversation.

"I think–I think you need to talk to someone." He says quietly, the question clear in his voice.

When I frown my eyebrows in confusion, he clarifies.

"Wether it's me, your brothers or a therapist, you can't do this alone, baby." Luca says carefully. "You don't have to do this on your own."