What's she Worth to You?

William Johnson

J A Y

I open my eyes and reach over to the side of the bed where Erin is supposed to be, yet I'm met with nothing. I look over to see that she's not there, which peaks my curiosity. Maybe she's already awake.

I walk downstairs quietly, trying not to wake Brooke or Naya. I don't quite understand what happened last night, I knew Naya's had somewhat of a troublesome past, but I never thought it would resort to something like that.
I never thought in a million years that she'd ever hurt Erin. She must've been way out of it.

I glance into the kitchen, but see no Erin. Did she sleep with Brooke? I shake my head. I looked into Brooke's room before I came down, she wasn't in there.

I quietly open Naya's door making sure not to make noise and wake her up and there she is. Sitting with her head against the foot of the bed, fast asleep. Naya lays on the floor, her head in Erin's lap, passed out as well.This is how I left them last night. I smile, seeing her at rest, both Erin and Naya. If there's one thing that's always been consistent about Naya, it's that the girl doesn't sleep.

I don't have a soft spot for many people, but Naya has a special place in my heart. Me and Erin are basically her parents. She fell into Erin and I's hands about 5 years ago, and we'd gotten her back on her feet, and it's the same feeling for Brooke.

As if on command, Brooke's figure appears on the stairs and she walks down the steps tiredly.

"Well good morning sleepy head." I chuckle and she looks up, giving me a dopey smile.

"Good morning." She comes to the bottom of the stairs and grabs onto my shoulder to support herself. Even though she's walking again, I think the stairs are too much for her sometimes.

"You good?" I ask and she nods her head, letting go.
"Are you hungry? I'm sure I could make something."

"Um, no. No, I think I'm good."

"Okay, well Erin's not awake yet, she's still in there with Naya." She gives me a confused look.

"What happened with Naya last night?" She asks and I look up. I sigh and drop my shoulders. I'm not about to tell her everything without Erin.

"Naya's been through a lot, sometimes she has," I struggle to find the right word.
"Nightmares, and she can't control what she does." She looks at me with confusion.

"Been through a lot? Like what?"

"That's not really my story to tell, I'm afraid. That would have to come from Miss Naya Cage herself." She nods, trying to comprehend everything.

The door opens and Naya comes into view. Brooke smiles sweetly at her and Naya gives her a confused smile in return.

"What is it?" She says with a laugh, her voice still scratchy and rough from her first reasonable night of sleep in a while.

"Nothing," Brooke answers and she looks to me.

"And what about you? Why are you so smiley?"

"Just happy to see you well rested for once." I say with a smile and she she looks down.

"Well it wasn't exactly the plan but yeah, it was nice." She looks up and makes eye contact with me, sighing as her gaze meets mine.
"Jay, I'm so sorry. About last night, I don't even know,"