Shattered - H.S. |on hold|

Eighteen.

“Just go talk to him like he talked to you when you're ready. I'm sure he'll understand.” With these words Cleo pressed her lips friendly against my temple, while wrapping her arms around my slightly skinnier and taller body before we seperated ways.

I had spent the entire day with her, talking about what happened the past few days. The thing with Cleo and I was that I always was the one girl with problems and she was the helper. Yet she knew I would always try my best when she had problems. For example when she had this huge fight with Liam, I don't exactly remember what it was about, but I knew it was hell for her. I tried for weeks to cheer her up and make her fix it with him and eventually they did, only to come out stronger and being the bestsiblingfriends in excistance.

I could never top Cleo though. Cleo always knew what to say or do, always had the right words and she was the kind of person you could call up at 4 in the morning, and she would listen sleepily at you whining about how you had passed the early hours overthinking every small thing that happened in my life. That's why I was extremely glad my best friend had chosen to study psychology and passing it with ease.

After our serious talk we had decided to throw a Dave Franco minimarathon and before I knew it, the sun was getting replaced by the moon and the sky was getting painted by the most beautiful pastel colors an artist only wished he could paint.

She had abruptly shot up, reminding herself and informing me she had promised to help Scott & Lewis at the club.

That moment my mind became clouded with fear, cursing myself that I had lost myself in time. Since the accident in the alley a few days ago I always made sure I didn't walk through the streets without someone companing me, especially when it was getting late and the streets were nearly dead.

As if Cleo could read my mind she kindly offered her bedroom but I declined. It had been a week since a stranger tried to touch me and I couldn't hide in buildings forever. I had passed this once, I was able to go through this again.

Still not feeling sure about it she offered she would walk me home a bit, until we had arrived the street the club was situated in. Leaving me to walk alone just for 10 more minutes.

I inhaled deeply as the cold wind hit my exposed legs. Pulling the hood of my sweater over my head, I also wrapped my arms around myself, keeping myself warm as I continued walking in a steady pace.

Halfway through I suddenly noticed footsteps following mine. My breathing increased, my legs started to shake but eventually I continued at the same pace, maybe the person following me just happened to go on the same way as I did. My mind filled with the most horrifying thoughts. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried shaking them off but it didn't help. They only faded away when the person behind me softly whispered my name.

The gesture would have creeped me out even more if it wasn't for the voice that had spoken my name. I turned my head to an angle so I could see his soft curls before turning around completely and smacking him on his right bicep.

“Don't ever scare me like that. Ever again.” I tried to seem tough and joking. But my trembling voice and the fear in my eyes obviously gave it away. I expected him to apologize, but that's when I looked up and clearly saw his facial features for the first time I turned around. He had bags underneath his eyes, clearifying he hadn't slept much, a slight frown above his deep forest green eyes which were flooding with worry.

Instead of speaking he wrapped his arms around me protectively and I had never felt that safe in my life.

“Same goes for you.” It took me a while to understand the words he had whispered in my ear, but eventually my frown faded, a smile stretched onto my lips and I understood.