White Lines

Just a Little Deeper

Leah sat beside Noctis on the plane trip back to the U.S. He barely said a word the entire time. He lay his head back with his earbuds in and leaned his chair slightly back, causing his sleeves to ride up slightly on his wrists. She had to look twice to believe what she saw, thin slash marks and white scars covered his wrist.

Thinking that he was asleep, she placed her hand over his wrist, hoping that they would disappear from his otherwise perfect skin.

Noctis looked up and pulled down the sleeves to his hoodie, crossing his arms in front of him. She never noticed it before, but he winced when he crossed his arms ( most likely from all of the gashes).

He never even turned on his music, he just made it look like he did. Leah leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed, hoping that it . be a friendly reminder that she was there- that no matter what he thought someone cared. Even if she hadn't known him that long.

Leah stayed like that for the rest of the flight, only, to make her more comfortable, Noctis had shifted and moved his arm around her and let her fall asleep on him.

I guess it doesn't matter, she fell asleep and so did my shoulder, so I moved to make it more comfortable. He thought.

A loud white noise blared through the speakers and caused Leah to jolt awake.
'Attention passengers,' the pilots voice rang, 'we will be landing shortly so please fasten your seat belts and move your chairs to the upright position. Thank you.'

The speakers cut off and Leah rubbed her eyes, both her and Noctis oblivious that his arm was still draped lazily over her shoulder.

When they finally did realize it, Noctis was quick to unwrap his arm and apologize. She silenced him with a wave of her hand, "Don't worry about it."

He smiled and blushed, "I guess," he said, "I was just trying to make you more comfortable."

"I should have moved, it was rude of me to lay on you like that."

"I really didn't mind, it was very comfortable for me." he said.

They landed in Virginia, only another 6 hour flight until she was back home. Leah sighed and picked up her luggage, her thoughts drifting back to get home. Noctis stayed quiet, allowing her to think.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, "Where are you going to stay?"

"I have to get an apartment for until I get my own house." He said quietly.

Silence cut through the seating area of the airport. Neither of them spoke and Noctis was dying to grab a Tylenol or something to keep his wrists from hurting. He clenched his wrist and felt blood drop down his hand.

"I will be right back." He said, standing up and walking toward the restrooms to wipe the blood off of his wrist.

"Well hurry, we have 5 minutes." Leah said.

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Cliffhanger!