Chim - Tiny Dancer

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

"Are you ok?"

After arriving home from their holiday, Kimberley had decided she would tell Justin that it wasn't working. She couldn't go on like this anymore, she couldn't keep pretending.

"Yeah am ok," she replied with a sad smile as she picked up the the present she had bought him. 'How the f*ck is this goin' to help!'

Getting up from the sofa, Cheryl made her way over to the girl. "Everythin' will be alright," she reassured before kissing her cheek and wrapping her arms around her. "And if you're in an unfit state to drive you better phone me . . . ok?"

"I'll be fine," Kimberley replied, pulling the Geordie even closer. "I just don't wanna hurt him . . . you know?"

"I know babe." Bringing her hand down to the small of Kimberley's back, Cheryl began soothing her, rubbing up and down. "I'll be here for you when you get back."

* * * * * 

Picking up her phone, Cheryl checked it for the tenth time; still nothing. It had been two hours since Kimberley had left and she still hadn't heard anything. Just as she was about to call the girl, she heard the engine of a car pulling into the driveway and a door being slammed shut. Getting up, she made her way down the hall, just in time to catch her entering the house. She looked fine. 

"Hey," Cheryl said softly, letting the girl know she was there.

And then she broke down. Ignoring her completely, Kimberley walked past, heading for the stairs.

"Kimberley!?" the Geordie asked, confused. There was still no answer as she watched her sobbing friend disappear up the steps. She debated with herself whether to follow or not, but decided against it and went back into the living room, where she sat with her head in her hands. No one likes it when their friend is upset especially if they cant help them.

* * * * * 

Kimberley lay on her side as the uncontrollable sobs wracked her body. She felt bad . . . really bad. But what she felt bad about confused her. Obviously she felt bad for doing what she did to Justin, but the thing she felt worst about was that fact that she blamed Cheryl. She blamed her for making her doubt her feelings for the man.

She remained quite as the Geordie climbed into bed behind her, and closed her eyes as she felt the girls small arms being wrapped around her waist.

"Please talk to me," Cheryl pleaded, planting a soft kiss on her shoulder.

"He says we can work through things. He begged me not to do it." Kimberley eventually said, the memories of him on his knees crying and begging her not to leave, breaking her heart. "He kept telling me that he loved me, that I was his world and without me he was nothing."

Cheryl could feel the tears threatening her own lids as she heard her friends words. It wasn't so much what she said, but how she said it. She sounded drained and depressed.

Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of a broken heart, it still hurts, well to people who actually have one. And Cheryl of all people knew that. She was the one left picking up the peices of her broken heart, when the man she loved stamped all over it. And then, even though it shouldn't of, it hurt her when she left him, when she divorced him. It hurt her seeing him hurt, even though he deserved it.

"I know how you're feeling," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"No you don't Cheryl," came the bitter response. Shuffling herself away from the girl, Kimberley broke from her embrace.

Deeply hurt from Kimberley's actions, Cheryl eventually gave in, letting the tears run freely down her cheeks. "Do you think it was easy for me to leave Ashley!?" she sobbed.

"That's different and you know it is! He cheated on you! Justin has never done anythin' like that to me and I know for a fact he never would," Kimberley replied, the Geordie's sobs hurting and annoying her at the same time. Why is she crying? This was about Kimberley not her. "Why are you crying Cheryl?" she asked.

"Because you're hurting us."

Through her tears, the blonde laughed. "Great now I'm hurting someone else. The person that caused all of this in the first place! What the f*ck is wrong with me!?"

"Kimberley!" Cheryl cried, confused and shocked at her outburst. Where had all this come from? "What do you mean? How is this my fault?

"Because . . . " Kimberley started while turning to face the girl. It was the first time she had saw her since she had slipped into bed behind her. She looked torn up. Ashamed, she reached out, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry," was all she said before taking back her hand and turning back around, so she was facing the wall again. "Could you just leave me alone for a while, please?"

Still confused, Cheryl agreed. Climbing back out of the bed, she made her way over to the door, where she stood for a moment, debating whether or not to say anything. 

"I'm here for you."