If It Ain't Love

Chapter 7: Promise

After the round of poker game, many grew tired. The girls had their eyelid drooping, trying their best to send threatening glares to the guys. Eventually, they gave up and decided to head back to their dorm room. "Bye N," they chorused. Adrian gave Naomi a hug, which she stiffened and awkwardly patted his back before saying bye. "Wait I don't have a dorm room yet. They said my room mate would pass me the key tomorrow." Naomi sighed, yes she was hurt but she still loved Lucas. She walked to the door opposite of hers. She doesn't have a roommate because of odd numbered girls.

She opened it and gestured for Lucas to follow. Lucas muttered a "thanks" and Naomi went back to her escape. As she got back, she went back to her bed and the tears fell. It's becoming more often and she knew it. She tried to hide it, ignore it but when she was left alone, every thought she had came back. Her mind drifted to the thought of a blade against her arm, then to just murdering herself. She knew, she would not be sleeping anytime soon. She took out her notebook and wrote...

"In the corner of my room
I cower in fear
Afraid of the nightmares
That was once a blur

It's like a tape
Always on repeat
I wish it would stop
That would be sweet

The cold steel
Against my arm
Please help me
I mean no harm

This thoughts of mine
Make me quiver
How my tears
Fill up a river

No I can't control
It's not me I swear
It's this demon inside
Falling into despair

I want it to end
Please let it be now
But like always
My Angel doesn't allow"

...Finally she fell asleep.

(Short Lucas's view)

Lucas could not sleep. He could hear the muffled cries of Naomi. He knew it because he had an acute sense of hearing. He wandered outside and peeked into Naomi's room.  She was asleep. Dried tears stained her face and she was sleeping on the table, with her notebook wide open. He slowly picked it up. He knew what it was, and how he was never meant to touch it. But she wouldn't know. Whispering to himself, the words dawned on him. All the thoughts Naomi had, had made it clear what was happening. Lucas placed the book where it belong and carried Naomi to the bed before placing a blanket over her.

But he can't stop, he chose Val over Mi. And he will stick to it. He knows he should stop but he also promised Val. if they were to ever cross paths, they Should never reconcile. A mindless promise which he thought he could stick to when all the wrong was pointed at Naomi. But he was wrong, they were wrong. He thought back, how could all this be put on Naomi. The more he thought, the guiltier he got. No, there was no mistake

(End)

Naomi woke up, to the comforts of her bed. She felt around her neck, her key is gone. She threw her hands in the hair, thanking there was no school on a Saturday and all curriculum activities were cancelled due to a teacher's meeting. From the corner of her eyes, she glimpsed on her open notebook. There her key was attached to the lock of her notebook. She heaved a sigh of relief. The memories of last nights flowing back to her. How did she end up in bed?

She shook her head and went out, she knew she could fall asleep without her nightmare coming back. She made her way to the Starbucks near the dormitories and took out her laptop. There, she typed yet another chapter for her story, for personal reference, The Girl Who Used To Be Loved. Yes it is about her, but it's nice when she reads it and compare to someone else's story it's not that sad. Time flew as she realised it's time for lunch. Naomi checked her phone to find countless messages, either for help, hang out or just worried ones. Slowly she read them.

Angel:
Thanks Naomi, I got an A+ on that assignment all thanks to you. Muah 💋 hugs and kisses, XOXO Angel

Darren:
Help me! My Sister is threatening me that if I do anything, she would run away from home. It's not as bad as killing herself but I'm worried for her safety. SOS ASAP!

Jamilah:
Yo N! Up for some macdonalds for lunch? X and I are up for it.

Adrian:
NAOMI! WHERE ARE YOU?! Nobody knew where u went, not even JINX!

She rolled her eyes at Adrian's message. She replied to all their messaging, giving Darren advice, agreeing to Jamilah's meet up and answering Adrian's message.

Suddenly, her notification bar popped up. "Dad," she muttered. Anger boiled in her yet she opened up the text. "Hey Naomi. I was wondering if you want to quit school and help us, your Mother and me, with our work. You are smart enough already anyway. " Her, LEAVING SCHOOL?! The idea struck her. She could not bear to leave everyone. She thought back to the many times she had gave up her dreams to fulfil theirs. She finally got everything back in this school and their are asking her to give it up again.

"No, I will not, by all means, work for you guys. How many times have I told you what I wanted to do, when have you let me accomplish what I want. If this was just moving I would fulfil it but I am not letting you guys decide a future I WOULD BE LIVING. I have friends now, what I ever wanted until ur message. U can cut all my allowance my house everything. Because I have money of my own saved up for use. I know what you plan to do if I reject and I'm already prepared. "

She shut her laptop and went to MacDonald. Spotting JINX she made her way there, seeing a new Friend, Val. "N, over here." She put on a smile and went over and took the empty seat. Val snarled at her without the others noticing and Naomi squirmed in her seat. Why oh why does god hate her so much. "Naomi, this is Val, she goes to the school beside ours." Val excused herself and Naomi visibly relaxed. "That IS THE Valerie that started the Rumours. Girls remember?"

Iris exploded, "it's the past, stop thinking you had a horrible past, all of us do, that's why we stick together. We heard Valerie's side of the story. And everything is pointed at you N. I did not want to doubt you but really, all signs are pointed at you." Naomi gasped. They believed Valerie over her. When Val returned, she noticed the distraught look on Naomi's face and smirked. A presence loomed over Naomi and she turned around to find Carol, Adrian and Lucas. Can the day get any worse. Lucas put down his food and embraced Val. "Val! I thought you were coming next month." Val shrugged and winked, "I heard somebody was here." Naomi could not bear to look. All of her past is catching up to her. She has to outrun them.

"Hey, sorry I gotta go. It's ok guys, I still love you. I know everything points to me but I have a clear conscience and I would not hate u guys after all, that's what Rumours do I Guess." Naomi said calmly and walked away. Arms wrapped around my wrist. I turned around. Lu Lu? "Hey erm...you ok?" Naomi shrugged and walked away. Why are the tables turned against her now? Should she quit school? Should she stay and bear the pain because things would clear.

*~*
Should I stay or should I go? Tell me the truth....I forgot the rest of the lyrics. Meh short chapter so sorry and it took my forever. Gone'nasai. I also know the story is a bit fast paced but don't worry, it would at least be 30 chapters Long. The plot twists are already planned in my head.

Luv'ya,
XAngel_DeviX