faded

51.0 - almost

Cara was taking a much needed break from her busy schedule. Everyone was on edge lately, the carefree blonde not being an exception. There had been an endless amount of travels during her successful career and she put her foot down. She needed time to be with her family and dedicate time to her girlfriend of four years. They had just recently gotten engaged in the summertime and planning a wedding couldn't be done long distance, no matter how hard they both had tried.

Kristen flipped through the pages of a heavy bridal book, delivered personally by a wedding planner earlier that morning. A small, hopeful smile played on her lips as she took in all the different decorations and ideas put together for them. Cara had been extremely helpful now that she was more grounded at home. Still, a part of her hoped that her fiance's sister in law would come around. She couldn't understand the situation very well, but she could just comprehend why Anastasia was so withdrawn.

It must be painful to be around people planning a wedding right now, especially after her own had gone sour before the honeymoon period began.

"Here, babe," Cara handed Kristen a cup of tea, taking the book from her and sitting next to her with it.

Kristen sighed, content still, and took Cara's hand. "How is she?"

"Well, she's eating. I caught her out in the garden today."

She raised her brows in surprise. "Really?"

Cara nodded. "It was all so strange. She was just staring out at the garden, she didn't hear me. It was... It was like she was waiting for him to return."

The two women sat in silence for a brief moment. It made sense. Based on what Zayn had told her and the bit Anastasia had shared, the girl's reaction on the phone wasn't so weird at all. It was like she was waiting for him to guide her, as if she couldn't handle making it on her own. As much as Cara tried to fight it- she knew that Anastasia behaved that way because she had no one else. According to Zayn, she never had. So it was understandable, even if it seemed like she was used to Zayn abandoning her or leaving her in the care of people while he went and tried to mend whatever he had broken.

She hoped he'd stick to his promise. Not so much for her, though she wanted him at the wedding, but for his wife. If he didn't, Cara didn't even want to imagine what would happen. Anastasia could spiral down further or seriously do something crazy.

"They spoke yesterday," Cara spoke up.

"How'd that go?" 

The blonde shook her head no. "It seemed okay at first. When they got off the phone she hugged me and went to her room."

Kristen looked confused. "That doesn't sound so bad..."

"I walked by before I went to sleep myself and I could hear her sobbing. I hadn't even made it up the stairs when I could hear her crying. Zayn told her to put her ring back on, I think. She had it on this morning."

Cara wrapped an arm around Kristen. The pain Anastasia felt was something she never wanted to experience, especially because the thought of losing her fiance was unbearable. Maybe that's why she felt so compelled to help the girl, because she was so young still and was going through so much. She probably felt so alone.  

"You should invite her out with us today, maybe she'll wanna come."

Cara nodded. "Maybe. I know Zayn told her to distract herself... but who knows."

Kristen kissed Cara's cheek and put her tea on the table in front of the couch, adjusting her blouse as she stood up, "I'll go. Just get the car ready and we'll meet you out front."