Don't Forget To Breathe

Chapter 8

A few years ago Alycia and I went on vacation to this cabin in Idaho. We chose the state because it was pretty much the most random location we could think of, and we certainly didn't regret it. At the time we hadn't been dating for long, still under a year I believe, but during that trip was when I realized that Alycia was someone I could be with for the rest of my life.

Her kindness and compassion were qualities I always admired about her. They usually never faltered, so in this very moment I began to wonder where the hell they disappeared to now when I needed them most.

"What do you mean she has to leave?"

She shrugged "That she has to leave Lauren" she said coldly

"I'll grab my stuff" A voice from behind us said before I could respond to my girlfriend.

Both Alycia and I turned around to meet a shy Camila with her arms wrapped around her torso protectively like they were yesterday in the elevator. Neither one of us were aware she was listening in to our fight, then again Alycia wasn't being particularly quiet about about it.

"I didn't mean to bother" she said as she began to walk back down the hall to the guest room to grab her belongings. I felt my heart sink when I saw how scared she looked and I knew for a fact that my girlfriend was not someone she should be scared of.

I glared back at Alycia who now had a look of guilt spread across her features.

"It's easy to say no when it's figurative isn't it?" I say "Now that you see who your hurting, do you still want her out?" I ask as calmly as possible.

Her eyes move down towards the floor as she shakes her head.

"She really has nowhere else to go?" she mumbles, clearly ashamed.

I sigh and inform her that if we kick her out she's going back to sleep in a filthy alley beside a dumpster.

She sighs, and almost immediately she began to walk towards the guest room as I followed closely behind. We came face to face with Camila in the middle of the hallway with her things at hand and I was kind of glad it happened that way because she had no room to walk around us towards the exit.

"Stay" was all that fell Alycia's mouth.

Camila immediately shook her head "No it's fine I've been on my own for a while and I-"

"Camila" I say sternly, cutting her off "You're not leaving"

I didn't mean for it to come out as authoritative as it did but I needed her to know I was serious. I felt Alycia's eyes on me and I can tell she's surprised by my outburst. I'm sure it's something I'll hear about later. Camila opens her mouth to speak again and we can both tell she's going to try to get away once more.

"I appreci-"

"Seriously" Alycia interrupted her this time. Her expression was much more genuine this than it was just a few seconds ago,not one of guilt but of genuinely wanting to help her "Stay" she repeated.

Without another word I watched as my girlfriend took the bag full of Camila's belongings and walked back into the guest room with it at hand. The brunette looked at me with confused eyes as if looking for confirmation on what to do.

I put my hand in the small of her back and gestured for her to follow Alycia into the guest room

"It's okay" I say as softly as possible, being careful not to scare her off.

Once she got the okay from me she walked back carefully into what is her new bedroom, which Alycia had already set her things back on the bed.

"I was not upset at you" my girlfriend says as soon as we walk back into the room "I promise"