Way Back Home ~ Evan Buckley 911

Paranoia

Aria's POV

Eddie had just left the room after comforting me for an hour. He stared at me with the eyes. The eyes he did when we we're 14 and my first boyfriend broke my heart. The "I want to do something, but I can't" look. A look of pure pity.

If Eddie could he would take all my pain and give it to himself. My brother is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet. He would give anyone the clothes off his back if that meant they survived. He's too kind for his own good.

The door creaked open, my eyes shot up. I convinced myself that Justin was going to walk through that door. My heart was pounding, my vision became blurry. I huddled up in the corner of my bed, tears pouring out the side of my eyes.

As the person walked through the door I squeezed my eyes shut. Just waiting for the pain that was inevitably going to surge my body, until it didn't come. I slowly opened my eyes to see Eddie's friend with a concerned look on his ha-, annoying face.

"Are you alright, you seem scared?" Buck spoke, my face immediately turned into an angry one. He's the one who to walk into my room unannounced. I'm obviously going to be scared.

"Are you fucking serious." I spat at him. I rolled my eyes as obviously as I could, just catching his smug face drop. God that felt good to say. I then turned my body away from him and hoped he wouldn't try to talk to me again. Ever.

Oh my gosh, his friend. Buck or whatever, is a massive pain in the ass. He asks the most obvious questions, like of course I'm fucking scared. I just left an abusive, aggressive man.

"Fucking idiot" I whispered under my breath, just loud enough for him to hear it. I wish I could see the look on his face right now. He's probably clenching that amazing jawline of his while running his hand through his blondish-red hair.

Stop Aria. He's annoying and dumb. You should not be thinking these things, he's also your brother's best friend. Eddie's footsteps sounded their way into the room interrupting my thoughts.

"Your sisters got some bite on her" Buck said trying to lighten the mood, it only made me more mad. I shot up from my ball like position and looked him dead in the eyes. I narrowed my eyes and slowly said.

"Shut the fuck up. You have not shut the hell up since you have been here." Eddie's eyes widened in shock. Now that's the little fiery Aria he remembers.

"Cut it this shit out. Both of you. You're acting like children!" Eddie spoke in his dad voice while pointing his raised finger in between us. I could see Buck's eyes shift to his hands, fiddling with his fingers. He's nervous.

"Eddie, when can I leave this place?" I couldn't be bothered to fight with Buck anymore, I just want to be home.

It feels weird saying home. When I lived with Justin, it never felt like home. Home is where the people I love are and the people who love me.

"The doctors said you can go home tonight, as long as you come in next week for a check up." I can not describe the relief I felt in that moment. "Why are you in such a rush to leave anyways?" Eddie followed up with.

I can't just dump the fact that I feel like at any moment Justin is going to come and beat me again. I squeeze my eyes shut as I am flooded with the memories of me screaming at him to stop, my own blood curdling screams replying in my head over and over. It won't stop.

Eddie's name was called in the distance, I could faintly hear it. Eddie's eyes shifted to me then the door. He quickly made his way into the hall.

As he left the room my chest felt the familiar tightening feeling, my eyes went blurry. My head was pounding. My hand flung to my chest, clawing it as if that would stop the awful sensations. Loud whimpering noises left my mouth before I could muffle them.

Buck's eyes swiftly shifted to me. The sensations increased, now my throat almost completely closing up. Buck shot up out of his seat and his arms wrapped around my body and my head placed on his toned chest. I could faintly hear his heart beat race.

"Aria, what's wrong?" Buck asked me, an urgent tone in his voice. I could only reply in high pitched moaned. My head felt like it was going to explode any second now.

The once faint ringing now boomed in my ears. I could slightly hear Buck's muffled screams for help. I opened my eyes to see Chris at the door with Eddie frozen in front of him. Eddie quickly sprung into action and guided Chris away from the scary scene.

I looked up to see Buck looking down at me, worry swarmed his eyes. I could faintly hear Buck's pleads for me to stay with him and to fight the feeling to give into the darkness. My eyes started to roll back into my head, I heard Buck whisper a word under his voice which I didn't quite catch before I dozed off.

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My body ached as my eyes fluttered open. It was dead silent. I look over to my right to see Buck asleep holding my hand, I look over and see Eddie holding the other. You guessed it, also asleep. I carefully, but slowly got out of bed. My legs almost giving out under me, I grabbed the wall for stability.

I made my way through the halls with the IV needle still in my arm. I took slow and weak steps. I had made my way halfway through the hall when I heard footsteps behind me. Really close behind me.

Before I registered I was falling I felt 2 strong arms grab me by the waist. I thrashed my body around as much as I could considering I had just lost a large amount of blood loss.The familiar voice whispered in my ear.

"It's just me, don't worry. What are you doing out of bed anyways Missy" Even though earlier today I was saying how annoying Buck is, he isn't that bad.

" I can't stay in that depressing room anymore, I need to leave." Buck's hands still clung tightly on my waist as I avoided eye contact. He let out a deep sigh then rubbed his eye, still leaving one hand holding my waist.

"I guess I have no choice but to do this." I didn't even process what he said before I was lifted off the ground and into Buck's safe arms. A smile spread out on my lips showing off my naturally straight teeth.

A thought came to my mind. This is the first time I have actually smiled in years, like actually had a good time that made me want to smile. I can't believe the person who made me smile is someone I met not even 24 hours ago.

"I still hate you by the way." I could hear the small chuckle leave Buck's mouth. He knew he hadn't won me over yet. He has still has a lot more work to do that. This is just the beginning.

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Word Count: 1334

I'm backkk. I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to write yesterday as I got sick after my trip. I'm feeling a bit better now so hopefully I will be able to release more chapters for you guys. Also school is starting next week so I won't be able to update as frequently but I will try my best. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and until next time...

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Love Addy 🤍