The Academy: Discovery

Here VS Home

The second I close the apartment door behind me I start to twitch with panic. The walls feel like they're closing in. Air won't fill my lungs. My knees also decide they won't work again. Unlike the last time they gave out I let myself fall. I fall to the floor. I fall into an overwhelming darkness. Almost. Calloused hands gently lifting me keep me from falling completely. "None of that Little Bit. You go to that place it's not easy getting back."

My heart leaps with excitement hearing his voice but quickly plummets back to my stomach when I realize he only cares because he doesn't know. He doesn't know I'm the evil thats threatening to tear his family apart. "Go away North." I manage to sob out.

"Damn him for doing this to you." He whispers pulling me in for a hug. His hand pushes my head to his shoulder near his neck and he gently strokes my hair. It reminds me of something I've seen mothers do to their children. It's kind of weird since North is definitely not my mother but if he's trying to distract me from my earlier thoughts, its working. Eventually it works enough my tears dry up and I'm able to breath easily. "That's it Little Bit. Come back to me."

"I can't go back North." I insist.

He nods slowly. "I guess I can't blame you. Please don't ask me to leave you here like this though."

"Like what? A mess?" I half joke.

"Honestly you look more broken than when Kota brought you to us but that's not what I meant. I meant you don't have food or water or any idea how to get either."

"So I'm a hopeless mess." I chuckle without humor. I've been called worse today. Mr. Blackbournes words certainly hurt more. Mostly because they were true. Before I had left that much was clear. I hadn't even fully finished with my little mini speech before they all erupted and starting fighting. As if it wasn't hard enough to pull the lies out of thin air. I had to shout them and hope they could hear me and believe me. I could hardly believe the situation. I was hoping the only friends I've ever had would believe my lies. I wanted so badly to just run. I hadn't expected them to protest so much but realized right away they weren't going to let me leave without letting me know what they thought about it first. North threatened to throw me over his shoulder and tie me to his bed to get me to stay. I thought Kota was going to hit him and then the fighting between everyone else started. When my yelling didn't work I waited for an opening in the fighting and made them listen to me. I'm not sure they believed me but they listened. Then I walked to the truck Mr Blackbourne had directed me to and I left.

"What do you say Little Bit will you let me help you?"

"Honestly I'm exhausted." I try another approach

On cue he yawns. "You're right. Lets nap first." Since I'm already in his arms he doesn't wait for an answer he just carries me to the bedroom. I protest but he ignores me. Then he goes to set me on the bed and I cling to him like a scared kitten.

"No."

"Well I hate to break it to you Little bit but I'm not letting you go and that thing I'm guessing you call a bed isn't big enough for one person let alone two." I shake my head imagining what Mr. Blackbourne would think of North and I sharing a bed again. "Couch it is then."

"North please." I protest weakly. I can practically see his inner battle begin immediately. I imagine a part of him wants to give me what I'm asking and the other wants to protect me and keep me close. I wish I could tell him. Tell him that I'm not pushing him away for me. It's for him and for his family. I'm no good. At the very least, like he said, I'm broken.

Closing his eyes he gently sets me on my feet. "You'll still sleep won't you?"

"I'll try" it's the most I can promise. I'm tired from the late night and early morning but I don't know if I can sleep with my heart in my stomach. "Are you sure Mr. Blackbourne won't be expecting you back?"