Entwined

Chapter 11: Gaps

"Leigh I—"

"Easton, no. It's impossible."

We were silent as she continues to play her guitar. She kept a stern look as she strums along, but her eyes betray the face she's trying to portray. I could see it in her eyes— she's been crying. Watching her vanished legs, it made me take a deep look at myself. I am incapable of saving her, I felt like a fool thinking I could save her. It was a selfish desire that lead me to think that saving her could be a sort of atonement for what happened to Aby.

I can't make sense of it all, why am I losing people in my life? Although my time with Leigh was brief, she became someone that made my room a place where I can retreat to. With just her music, she made days bearable— more peaceful.

"Leigh, I'm sorry," I apologized deeply and she stops playing. "It's just... unfortunate."

"It's fine, I'm happy you tried. Maybe there's more to my life, but I never really remembered anything. Just the things that I do, and this guitar," she said, caressing her guitar gently. "Thank you, though. For keeping me and not tossing me somewhere."

I sat close to the monitor and accompanied her, just hearing her talk. She talked about a lot of things she can think of, it kept going for a while and then suddenly, she goes silent.

"Leigh?" I asked. "Are you okay?"

"What's it like out there Easton? Tasting, smelling, getting a feel of reality, or the warm touch of another person." She asked, looking out her virtual window.

"It's... I d-don't really..." I stammered, unsure if I should answer her.

"I just don't know what it's like, I was hoping if you can tell me about it," she said now turning in my direction.

"Oh uh... what do you wanna know?" I asked, trying to get started.

"Just tell me about your day." She smiled.

Just as she asked, I talked about what happened at school. After some time, it branched out to my close friends and what they do, then it became about food and eventually she until  fell sleep. I talked so much that I forgot what time it was, she seemed to appreciate what I did, I saw her smile as she slept.

I sluggishly dragged myself to bed and stare blankly at my ceiling, just lying idly and thinking about everything. The news about Abygail made me happy but then Leigh also started disappearing, it doesn't make sense. Are they connected? I can't be sure. Maybe I can ask Mr. D, but they've been away for a while now, I wonder what's happening on their end, but I'm sure they'll visit. I've been wondering about Leigh for a while too, it doesn't hurt to ask. My eyelids become heavy as I struggled to keep them open, I relented to my body's demand and fell asleep.

...

I woke up to my alarm's persistent ringing, and before I did anything else, I checked on Leigh. She seemed peaceful, covered in a blanket and still asleep. After doing my morning routine, I went downstairs for breakfast. With my mind still thinking about a lot of things, I couldn't hold a proper conversation with Mel and I ended up responding in short cold replies, she probably noticed my demeanor and didn't press on.

This Wednesday morning didn't seem all that special. I only have 3 classes today, one on the morning and two on the afternoon. I walked towards the gate thinking about what to do on my free time. While minding my own business, I felt a violent tug from my bag tipping me out of balance. I only know one person to do this— Dom.

"Ow! Damnit Dom!" I grumbled.

"Man, you keep falling for these. I did it so many times I thought you already adapted to it," she said as she extends her hand while giggling.