Stolen Kisses, Pretty Lies

~Chapter 18~

Early update today! 🎄

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Midnights didn't come to school the following week. I was sick with worry, the overwhelming and constant stress leaving me exhausted and barely able to focus in class.

Friday came around and I was dragging my feet out to our usual spot outside, where I met the others, and sat down, silent.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head numbly on them, completely zoned out.

Folklore was closer to me all of a sudden, her hand on my back. I didn't acknowledge her, my thoughts already occupied.

"You okay Nine?" she asked softly, her voice volume keeping the others from hearing and drawing them from their conversation.

I exhaled a long, slow shaky breath and didn't reply. I wasn't sure how to respond, I didn't think I could keep it together through any words.

I shook my head, and Folklore rubbed my back more.

My friends didn't know an awful lot about Midnights' situation, only that she wasn't here, and I was distraught about it. It made me look extremely attached, like I was depressed simply because she wasn't here. I didn't have the energy to correct anyone, though. Nor did I care that much.

Unfortunately, Reputation did seem to notice my absence of presentness in the conversation, which meant Lover also did. Suddenly, all eyes were on me.

"Nine? You okay?" Rep asked, her concern sincere.

I gulped down a shaky breath. I didn't want to cry at school. Not here, not now. My knee was bouncing rapidly, despite being pulled up to my chest. I let my legs back down, where I clenched and unclenched my clammy hands, and my knee continued to motorboat.

"It's fuckin' Midnights," The girl muttered when I didn't reply to her. "Nothing good has happened since we met her, and now look. The eternal optimist is reduced to ashes."

"Rep, you don't know what she's going through," Folklore replied softly.

I'd forgotten she knew some parts, I realised. Folklore had been there that day.

"Who? Because that sentence could apply to anyone here, so why does she get the favouritism?"

"You aren't being fair," Lorie replied with uncharacteristic seriousness. "You don't know what's going on, you have no right to say anything like that, and its not favouritism, its worry about our friend. So if you have a problem with that, you and your lack of empathy can leave."

I blinked, Folklore's firm words catching me by surprise. Rep muttered something under her breath, clearly not happy about being beaten in their short debate. What she didn't do, was leave, which I couldn't help be relieved about.

"I'm sorry guys," I murmured, trying to shake off the thundercloud above my head.

"You're okay, it's fine," Lover smiled, reaching out to place a hand on my knee.

I gave a small smile, showing my gratitude. "Just... a lot. A lot going on in my head."

"Do you wanna talk about it? We're all here for you, Nine," Folklore chimed in, her arm now wrapped around my waist, triggering slight insecurity. I sucked in my waist, before realising there wasn't really anything to suck in. A definite improvement, which was a small dopamine boost to my plagued mind.

"No, I'm okay, thank you though, Lorie," I rested my head on her shoulder, the movement platonically comforting.

She squeezed my waist tighter in acknowledgement, and conversation resumed between the other girls. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to listen, almost giggling as Reputation asked Lover random, silly questions, like if her biceps were tan.

Their chatter evolved from biceps, to muscles, working out, and suddenly anorexia. My stomach turned. I wasn't anorexic, obviously. I just preferred to control my intake. It was fine, no one knew I hadn't eaten in the last 3 days, only I did, and I was beginning to feel the effects of it.

Despite their talk not being about me at all, it still felt personal, every word going straight to my head. Their comments varied from: "Poor things, can you even imagine?", "I just feel shit about that stuff, you know? Society is fucked.", and "It's a horrid illness, not eating. So common though."

Illness? I didn't have an illness. That would be a dramatic and unnecessary way to describe a perfectly sane, realistic way of thinking.

I didn't realise the bell had rung until I felt Folklore shift, and when we stood, my legs shook, and my gaze was hazy.

I blinked myself back to life, and noticed three pairs of eyes on me.

"What?" I asked, stretching my arms over my head with a yawn.

"Are you okay? You almost fell over," Rep said, which was when I realised one of her hands around my arm.

"Oh. Didn't realise. What class do we have?"

"We have our electives," Lover reminded me, "you have art."

I nodded, remembering. "Oh yeah, thanks."

"Do you want me to walk you there?" Folklore asked, concern painted over her face as we walked.

I shook my head, "Lorie your class is on the other side of the building, don't be silly. I'm fine, I don't know why you guys are stressing."

We headed inside, relief flooding through me when I saw my locker, meaning I could escape my friends and their worries.

Lorie opened her mouth to talk, but I was already on my way. I called out goodbye and opened my locker, nearly slumping into it. After pulling myself together, I was on my way again, heading to my art class. I almost couldn't remember even being at my locker, and had to check multiple times that I had everything I couldn't remember grabbing.

When I slipped into my seat, I was exhausted. The loud chatter had given me a headache, and the sight of the empty chair beside mine didn't help my mood in the slightest.

Class began and I forced myself to listen to the teacher, wanting to perform well despite my slight setbacks. Once the introduction to the lesson was over, I slipped into my work silently, allowing myself time to relax and rewind. And thank goodness for that.

~~

Oh my gosh, so, I wrote this super fast, so please don't mind any guaranteed errors and please forgive me for my lack of product quality.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL 🎄🎄🎄

Anddddd happy 1 year of Forevermore. That story started this whole thing for me, and for that I'm so grateful.

I wish you all the best of Christmasses, and to those who don't celebrate, the very best day ever.