Stolen Kisses, Pretty Lies

~Chapter 11~

It was Tuesday when Reputation decided to rejoin our group, and coincidentally, Midnights had decided to return to school too.

The tension was high as we sat and ate our lunches, although my lunch consisted of watching the group and thinking as I fiddled with a blade of grass.

No one seemed to notice my lack of food, and just as I was about to thank my lucky stars, I felt a touch on my thigh.

From her spot beside me, Midnights had moved her hand to rest on my leg. I had recently discovered that despite her life, Midnights was a rather touchy girl. With me, at least. Perhaps it was due to the lack of gentle physical contact she'd received, but nevertheless, she always seemed to be touching me in some way or another. I wasn't complaining.

Midnights looked at me, her face calm but her eyes troubled.

I tilted my head and mouthed a small 'you okay?'.

After a moment of hesitation, she responded with a slight shake of her head.

I placed my hand over hers and brought my head closer to her, leaning toward her ear. "Do you wanna get some space?"

Midnights nodded, and I got to my feet.

"Bathroom. We'll be right back," I explained quickly to the others before any of them could ask any questions.

Luckily, we were met with nods from Lover and Folklore, so we began to walk back up to the building and away from the crowds.

Once in a secluded area near the science labs, I turned to Midnights.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my gut filled with worry.

"I don't know, I have a headache and my head hurts and I'm just holding back a lot right now," she stammered.

"Okay, that's okay," I reassured her. "Would you like to talk? Or just have some comfort and quiet for a moment?"

"Just some quiet."

I nodded and located a bench, leading Midnights to it and sitting her down.

"I- I feel bad about something, Nine," she murmured, her eyes wide and swirling with emotion.

"Do you wanna tell me?"

"Yeah... it's about you."

My eyebrows creased slightly. "Me? Did I do something?"

"No, it's not you it's more so me."

"Okay..."

"I... when we met, and got close, I just felt immediately connected to you."

I nodded, "I felt the same way."

"But it's like, I'm so attached to you, somehow. You're like... you're like my security blanket, you know those things? It's like just being close to me is calming."

I offered a small smile. "I'm so glad I can be that for you."

"No but I have to ask if that's okay, I'm really not used to being dependent on people and I don't want to overdo it."

"I'm fine with pretty much anything as long as it's not on the scale that one second without me sends you into hysterics."

Midnights smiled, her face turning slightly pink. "That should be okay then."

I returned her smile and rested my head on her shoulder, exhaling slowly. "You're doing really well, Mid. I'm proud of you."

She stayed silent, looking straight ahead and hand now tight around mine.

"Mid?" I pushed myself upright and looked at her.

"I don't want to cry at school."

I sighed and lifted a hand to rub her back, "you can cry, don't hold it in. That will only make it worse."

The second Midnights' dam broke, I moved closer to her and gave her a hug from the side.

"I'm sorry," she choked out.

"What for?"

"Being like this. I feel like a burden."

I shook my head, "you aren't a burden. You're quite the opposite, I'm so grateful to be in your presence."

She cried harder, sobs catching in her throat and wracking her body.

"You're doing so incredibly, Mid. I don't know how you do it," I murmured.

"It's so h-hard, and I don't want to-" she hiccuped, "I don't want to complain about it because no one wants to hear that, but I miss her, Nine."

"Midnights you can cry, and scream, and grieve as much as you need. It's completely valid. Just being at school is such a feat."

Her arms wrapped around me, and she tucked her face in my neck to the best of her abilities despite our height difference. I continued to quietly soothe her, rubbing her back and murmuring affectionate affirmations.

I let her cry into me, keeping my hold on her firm.

"Do you wanna go home?"

She nodded into me.

"Okay, I can tell the teacher for you."

"Come with me..."

I contemplated her request, but in the end it was just her.

"Okay."

"Thank you... I'm sorry, thank you."

I smiled and inhaled deeply, her messy hair still somehow smelling like sandalwood. "Don't be sorry, it's my pleasure."

"Can we go?" She whispered, her voice quiet and raspy from crying.

"Of course, come on."

I gave Midnights one last tight hug and then got to my feet.

My heart fluttered when she stuck close by me, feeling a rush of adoration for the girl. It had been a month since we met, and it felt like I'd known her forever. Like Rep and I. Now that I came to think of it, in our many, many years of friendship, she'd never acted like this with me. I'd forced her to communicate. Perhaps I'd do that again. However, right now, Midnights was the priority. And I intended on making sure she was treated as such.

After a brief explanation to our friends and a little white lie told to the old lady in admin, we were out of the school.

Midnights and I walked shoulder to shoulder down the street, my bare skin occasionally bumping against her hoodie, which was actually mine I'd let lent her. It was a little short around her wrists and waist, but the blue brought out her eyes and made her look brighter.

We didn't talk much, but the silence was comfortable and I gave her occasional warm glances.

We kept walking until we turned a corner, and suddenly Midnights grasped my hand and froze.

"Mid?" I looked at her, a little spooked.

She looked straight ahead for a few moments before visibly relaxing and nearly slumping into me. Her breathing was a little rushed and I could tell her heart was racing.

"Midnights?"

"Sorry- that's the same type of car my parents have," she looked at me, her hand shaking a little in mine.

I squeezed it. "Oh shit, is it them?"

She shook her head, "different registration."

I exhaled a short breath, "okay, that's okay. We're almost home."

Midnights nodded and we kept walking. My heart was racing in my chest. A little because of fear for her, but mostly due to our clasped together hands that neither of us went to move as we continued on our way home.

~~

Woop woop Wednesday