Blockage (hiatus)

Chapter Eight

       
AN: I know this update is long overdue. Something happened last week and we've been struggling to deal with it. Most of my motivation has been zapped out and this update will clearly show it. It's a bit disorderly and I apologize for not being able to put my best foot forward. This time I make no promises for the next updates on any of my stories, just be assured that they will happen. There may be large breaks as we work through this, but I will continue to write no matter what.
Thank you all.

xXxXxXx

"No."

My mouth formed the words smoothly, articulating the syllable with a sharp snap. I didn't know where the defiance came from, but once it was freed, there was no going back. I wasn't mad, per say, but I was nervous. They weren't supposed to know.

Even if I was trying to accept them, this was too much. Too many steps forward without a clear destination. All my doubts and fears were being laid out on the table and the thought made me want to bolt. When they saw them, they'd realize how much they didn't want me. I can't go.

"No?" Gabriel gaped. His blue eyes widened a fraction before narrowing into a disbelieving stare, "Sang, you need a fucking doctor. You were fucking bleeding—"

"It was just a nose bleed, they happen a lot," my statement made his face darken, but I pushed on, "I will agree that a doctor could be helpful, but you can't—" I took a steadying breath and forced myself to continue, "You guys just popped up out of nowhere and you're suddenly... everywhere. I just met you all."

The words were a last-ditch effort to divert his attention, but they were still painted in truth. The fact was that the boys had forced themselves into my life like a bullet. One moment my stability was steady and my life was running in a smooth, albeit miserable cycle, but with one day, they'd already thrown off my balance.

Mouth pressing into a firm line, Gabriel took a moment to just stare at me. I wouldn't doubt he was communicating with our other soulmates. Another tense moment passed before he let out a regretful sigh, "Fuck, we moved too fast, huh?"

"You did," bravo slowly fading, I ducked my head and stared at the scratched surface of his desk, "I'm so happy I met you all, but you've all just taken over... I hardly know you all" I spared a glance up at him and hoped he couldn't see my relief, "And you don't even know me."

"We do," Gabriel didn't elaborate even as his face took on a pained look. Bringing a hand up, he mussed his hair roughly, "Shit. Mr. B warned us about this, dammit. I'm never going to hear the end of it—"

"It's okay," I swallowed before fully lifting my gaze up to his own, "Just... slow down please. I want to know you all. I want this to work, but I can't do that if we keep rushing through everything."

"..." he was silent again, but when the moment passed he peered back up at me with startlingly intense blue eyes, "You're right."

"Thank you—"

"But you're still going to the fucking doctor," Gabriel lifted an eyebrow in response to my incredulous stare. His expression hinted he knew what I'd tried to do, "Doc's one of your soulmates too, might as well take care of all the shit at once."

"But," my mouth opened without words. Finally, my jumbled thoughts caught up with my half-hearted actions, "I thought— weren't we going to move slowly?" 

"We are," Gabriel nodded before adopting a determined expression. It made his eyes glint in the florescent light, casting them into a beautiful hue, "But we need to deal with those shitty pills. After that, we can slow the fuck down all you want."