-Jessie’s POV-
I was awakened suddenly the next morning by the sounds of Elena crying out in her sleep. She’d been doing this nearly all night but somehow she didn’t wake up at all. I felt her hands unconsciously clutch at the front of my shirt and I automatically pulled her in closer to me as I had done many times during the night. I could never make sense of what she was saying but at times I could barely make out my name and that broke my heart.
I still feel so guilty for what I did. I wish I had let Elena explain in the first place but I made her leave. I was hurt but that was honestly no excuse for hurting her even more, especially when she was innocent. Just hearing about the things she’s gone through all for the sake of protecting me absolutely broke me. I should have known something was going on with her. She’d acted off when I was away and when she showed up at my house I knew she looked different. She’d lost more weight and she just looked so tired which I know now is from all the stress and lack of sleep. I looked past it at the time though. I was too angry to see any reason.
I played with Elena’s hair idly as I thought back to last night. I’d made a few calls while Elena slept. Most would say that it isn’t my place and to let Elena take care of it but I couldn’t stop myself. Just knowing what’s been done to her made my blood boil and I wanted it taken care of. I can’t say that it helped much though. I called around to a few people I know from the label and they all pretty much said the same thing. They couldn’t do anything unless there was solid proof or unless Elena filed a formal complaint. This was turning into a huge mess, even bigger than it was already, and I have no idea what steps to take next.
I felt Elena’s grip on my shirt loosen ever so slightly as she relaxed into me. I knew her nightmare was ebbing away now. There was no more of the incoherent mumbling that came with her dreams. I didn’t want to but I knew I’d have to wake her up soon. It was already going on ten in the morning, surprisingly. Last night had felt like the longest night of my life and I knew Elena would still be exhausted.
I slowly untangled myself from her, careful not to wake her quite yet, and set off downstairs to start making breakfast. Everything was so heavy on my mind, I needed some distraction from it all. So, when I got into the kitchen I got to work making the largest and most complex meal I could think of.
Sometime later as I was stood in front of the stove I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist, causing me to jump and flip a pancake completely out of the pan.
“Shit,” I cursed as I heard Elena’s quiet laughter behind me.
“I think you’ve made enough, Jess,” she said, referring to the already large stack I had next to me. I turned around and pecked her on the lips before wrapping my arms tightly around her.
“Yeah, I guess I got carried away. Hungry?” I asked her.
“Yeah but probably not as hungry as what you anticipated,” she laughed. “You made enough for like eight people.”
“Just sit down,” I said, rolling my eyes at her comment.
“Yes ma’am,” she said mockingly as she took her seat at the island. I took my usual seat across from her and decided that it would be best to talk about what was happening. This wasn’t getting resolved unless we did something.
“Did you sleep okay last night?” I asked nonchalantly as I pushed my food around my plate.
“Better than I have been,” she replied quietly. “I think I only woke up once through the night but only for a minute.”
“You spoke in your sleep a lot,” I told her. She immediately looked guilty though I couldn’t imagine why.
“I’m sorry. Did I keep you awake?” she asked worriedly. “I can sleep in the spare room until it stops or sleep at home.”
“You will absolutely not sleep alone,” I said firmly. “I’m just worried about you. And I called round the label last night to try to get some of this straightened out.”
“What did they say?”
“It was pretty useless,” I sighed. “They need proof that it’s a sexual assault mostly. I don’t know what to do…”
Elena sighed heavily. I could only imagine how much all this was affecting her. All I knew was that she was suffering and it was all because she was trying to protect me. I just wasn’t okay with it.
“I have two hours until I have to leave for work,” she said as she idly played with the food on her plate. I reached across and grabbed her hand so that she’d look at me.
“Don’t go,” I pleaded. “I can’t stand to sit here knowing what’s being done to you. I can’t let it happen anymore.”
“Jess, I have to go. I might talk to Ally about what’s going on. Maybe she can help,” she suggested.
“Just don’t let her do anything to you. Please. I don’t care what she does to me but I can’t have her hurt you anymore.” I felt the tell-tale burn of tears but quickly blinked that away.
Elena’s expression hardened then. I watched as she stood up and started to walk out of the kitchen without a word.
“Where are you going?” I called after her.
“I’m getting ready for work and then we’re going to figure something out,” she answered as I heard her walking up the stairs. “I’ve had enough.”
A/N This might be odd but I hate writing in Jessie's POV in this fic. Which is weird because the other ones were in her POV but yeah. The next events are a bit complicated so it's taking me a while to get it all straightened out in my head which is why this took forever. Sorry. Anyways thanks for reading and commenting guys :D
