Glassheart Chloe x Red (book 1) {Nightmarish Reality}

chapter 15: love ain't it

A/N fingers crossed

Chloe's pov

I had stopped crying and stood at the dorm door, clutching an ice cream in my hand. Although I knew Red probably wouldn't eat it, I thought she could use all the comfort she could get right now. Unlocking the door, I opened it, only to be met with a chaotic room. Torn papers were strewn about, leaving me in utter disbelief. "Red..." I spoke calmly, not wanting to further upset her. Scanning the room, I couldn't find any trace of Red. "Red?" I called out a little louder, hoping for a response. With most of the damage centered around Red's side of the room, I focused my attention there. As I searched near her bed, my gaze landed on a bloodied strip of her bandage. Following the trail, my eyes finally landed on Red, tucked away in a hidden corner next to her closet and a wall.

"Red, are you okay?" I asked, slowly approaching the closet. There, I saw Red curled up, her head resting on her lap. I approached her cautiously and set the now dripping ice cream on her side table as I passed by. "Red, what are you doing here-" I stopped myself when Red snapped her head up, revealing bloodshot eyes. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" she yelled, her words harsh. I remained rooted to my spot, Red's voice may be angry, but her eyes showed a deep sadness. "Oh, Princess-" I started to speak, but she interrupted me with a scathing look. "STOP CALLING ME THAT, THAT'S NOT MY NAME!" she yelled at me. I stepped back, stunned, and then she spoke in a normal volume. "I'm Red of Hearts, daughter of the Queen of Hearts." I stared at her, realizing that she had never admitted that the QOH was her mother like that. "Red... why did you take your bandages off?" I asked softly. "Why do you care?" she replied, trying to keep her voice firm. "Because I love you, Red... you know I love you," I said, staring at her.

For a moment, her eyes warmed, but then her gaze became distant as if she were looking at something behind me. "No one loves me," she said softly. "I'm just a disappointment." She put her head down and started crying, though it was barely audible, a skill she had acquired in the past. "Red... that's not true," I whispered. "Then what am I?" I heard her mumble. "Red... you're beautiful and strong. You deserve love more than anyone in the world, and I want to give it to you because I love you." She lifted her head, her eyes clouded. "You don't need to lie to me, Chloe," she said, her voice barely audible. Then she reached out her arm towards me as if she wanted to hold my hand. But before I could reach out, she turned her arm over, revealing a red scar that formed words. I gasped. No... NO. "Red, oh... Red, that's not true," I pleaded. "But it is, and I believe it, Chloe," she said, her voice cracking, showing me once again the words 'love ain't it' engraved on her forearm. "Red... your mother did not change. You can't blame yourself for her hurting you," I said softly. She kept her head down.

I knew words wouldn't reach her, so I got up and moved to sit next to her. She lifted her head slightly to see what I was doing. I gently put my arm around her, and though she flinched a bit at first, she eventually relaxed. "You... you're so warm," she said, a small smile forming. "Just breathe, Red. Breathe," I reassured her. She stared into my eyes, searching for something, before hesitantly resting her head on my shoulder. I rested my head on hers, and we just sat there in calm silence. Red had always seemed like a fighter, someone who didn't need anyone to support her or pick her up when she fell. Red sighed, and when I looked down, I found her peacefully asleep.

A/N: I apologize for the delay, I've been quite busy with school. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as Red's healing process is slowly progressing. It might take a few more days until I can post the next chapter because I had a few drafts that needed editing. Now I have to write them and have them edited, so it might take a bit longer. Oh, and a huge thank you for reaching 1000/1k reads! I never expected this story to go so far. So, thank you to all those who have read it.