You Take My Cares Away

Chapter 5 - Second Chances at Coachella Part 1

(Faith's pov)

April-16th-2018

Los Angeles, Apartment 276📍

When I got to my building, I found my parking spot, parked my motorcycle, and switched off the engine. I sat there thinking to myself as I was lost in my own thoughts, and I pulled out the passes from my jacket sleeve and stared at them for what felt like ages. I already made up my mind about Ariana, and looking at these passes confirms it more so than ever. I took a deep breath, and I knew that I was going to Coachella, but I wasn't sure if letting her back in this moment of my life was the right thing to do for me and for her. No matter what, it was going to take more than a weekend festival to really fix this. I climbed off my bike and made my way to my building.

As I walked inside the empty lobby, you could hear the heavy weight of my boots echo with each step I took. I felt tired as I waited for the elevator door, and when it arrived, I stepped in feeling nervous about the decision I was making. What if Alyx and Courtney were right? What if Ariana had changed? I knew the hurt she caused me was still there, but deep down I wasn't that kind of person to hold onto my pain and do the same to her. The elevator finally reached my floor, and I stepped out into the hallway.

I stopped at my door and took a moment to gather myself before I inserted the key and pushed it open. The apartment was silent, a contrast to the vast thoughts running through my mind. I then tossed my helmet on the stand by the door. I walked over to the kitchen, reaching for the passes as I tossed them on the kitchen counter and let out a sigh.

Faith's thoughts: "Do you really think this is a good idea? Ever since she came back, all you have been is a dick to her, closing yourself off. How else am I supposed to react when she has been gone from my life for four years?"

The silence in the apartment was deafening, only interrupted by the occasional hum of the fridge and the distant sound of a TV from a neighboring unit. I took off my jacket and threw it over the back of the couch. I walked over to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and took a long drink. I leaned against the counter, looking out the kitchen window at the quiet street below.

Alyx's words played in my head: "Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride for the sake of those you care about." It's true, I had been holding onto this anger and resentment for too long, and it was eating away at me. But was I ready to let Ariana back in? The hurt was still fresh, like an open wound that hadn't fully healed. I needed to decide if I was willing to risk opening it up again.

I took a deep breath and walked into my bedroom, collapsing onto the bed. The Coachella passes glinted in the moonlight from where they lay on the kitchen counter. The festival was this weekend, and the thought of seeing Ariana again on less harsh terms filled me with a mix of dread and hope. Maybe this could be the start of something new for us.

April-17th-2018

The next day I woke up, but I was greeted with a knock coming from my apartment door, tired and restless, wondering who that could be at this time in the morning. I rolled over and looked at the clock on my bedside table; it was already 10 AM. I groaned and got out of bed, slipping on my socks, and walked to the door. When I swung it open, I was surprised to see Alyx and Kaitlyn standing there with coffee in their hands.

Faith: "What are the two of you doing here? Fuck, do you know that I hate walking up early when working at the warehouse?" I mumble and groan as I rub the sleepiness out of my eyes.

Kaitlyn: "Don't ask alright, I was getting coffee when she came along and dragged me to your apartment to prove some point she could stop talking on and on about."