Afterlight ✔️

chapter forty-nine

— Jay Bieber

Saturday, 10:16AM

I awoke with my arms wrapped around Chloe's body, watching her chest rise and fall slowly as I gave my eyes a few more minutes to adjust. Having her here with me after everything that happened made me feel deeply content. I knew I loved her more than I should, but she's inside me, like a disease. There's nothing I could do. Deciding I should probably let her sleep and make some breakfast, I carefully sat up, trying to not wake her up. Climbing out of the bed, I got dressed and walked into the bathroom to get some morning routine done. Thankfully, Nick brought some extra toothbrushes. I finished ten minutes later, and walked upstairs. To my surprise, Nick was already wide awake.

"Morning." I nodded at him, opening the fridge as I took out some orange juice. Pouring it into a glass and taking a sip, I walked back to my friend.

"You sorted things out with the girl?" Nick asked as he cracked two eggs.

"I don't know. She still seems cold and distant." I paused, "I don't understand how I got myself into this situation. I can't believe I, Jay Bieber, am running after a girl. I don't know whether I should be liking this or not. Don't get me wrong, I love Chloe more than anything, but she's making me do the most ridiculous things. I feel like I'm going crazy."

"You do some stupid stuff when you're in love."

"I suppose you're right. It's just..." I licked my lips. "Everything has changed. When you had no one to look after, it was easier."

"So you're saying you wish you'd never met Chloe?" He raised his eyebrows.

I sighed. "No, of course not. I believe a higher power brought Chloe into my life, she's everything I have. I'm grateful to have her. I couldn't live without her."

"What's the problem then?" Nick asked as he laid the eggs on a plate and handed me one.

We sat down on the table. "It's the things she makes me do."

I heard footsteps far behind and a few seconds later, a door shut with a loud bang. I cringed, knowing that it was Chloe who was close enough to eavesdrop on the conversation I just had with Nick about her.

"You should probably go and check out on her." Nick gave me a sympathetic look.

I nodded and made my way upstairs. I really didn't want to upset her even more than she already was. I should've closed my mouth and not say a damn thing until we were on better terms. Speaking of better terms, I had to come up with a plan to prove to her my innocence, and that quick as possible. Everything will go back to normal then.

I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Chloe was sitting on the bed, looking outside the window.

"Chlo?" I called her softly.

Before I could say something Chloe turned her gaze into my direction. "Nobody told you to come and get me, don't blame this on me. I didn't force you to do all those 'ridiculous' things."

I rubbed my neck. She was actually calm, I had a chance to explain it to her. "I know, you're right. I do them because I love you. I'm sorry if you misunderstood."

"Whatever."

I walked closer towards her. I didn't want her to be mad at me again. Things were going well. "Don't be like that, Chlo. Don't be so distant again. We had a nice night, don't throw–"

She interrupted me with a laugh. "Are you serious? Do you really think I'm going to forget everything that happened just because you held me for one night?" She stood up, heading towards me. "You really think I'll forget the fact that you murdered my brother?"