Funhouse (Incomplete)

Twenty Two. Isla.

          I can tell he doesn't know what to say. If I'm honest neither would I in his situation. I shrug my shoulders and wander into the living room. I can hear his footsteps behind me but I pretend not to notice and sit down on the sofa, wrapping my arms around my knees. I watch as he copies, heart in my mouth.

          "How bad was it?" he murmurs softly. His voice sends a shiver up my spine but I contain the evidence and remain still.

          "Wasn't the worst, wasn't the best," I reply shortly, expecting that to silence him. It doesn't work.

          "Where did you go?"  I sigh.

          "The bathroom." Alarm strikes across his face.

          "You know as well as I do that that's a bad idea!" His voice sounds panicked and I raise an eyebrow.

          "I'm still here aren't I?" I roll my green eyes, but my sassy exterior is only the show before the curtains close and you take a look backstage. He knows that.

          "I'm only worried because I care," he murmurs, and I feel butterflies flit around in a deep pit inside me. "You know you could have called, I would've been straight here." His voice is thick with emotion and I begin to feel my eyes fill up again. A startled expression appears on his face but he shuffles closer to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling my head onto his. "It's okay Isla. I'm here now, I'm always here okay?"

          "Okay," I whisper unconvincingly. I can hear him roll his eyes.

          "Isla seriously, I promise, you can always talk to me. You're not an inconvenience." My body shakes as I laugh, choking back tears. A droplet rolls down my cheek but I make no move to remove it.

          "Thank you." My voice is barely audible. Nex pushes me off his shoulder and looks at me, concern making his eyes shine. He uses his free arm to wipe away the tear that has travelled to the overhang of my jawline, his fingers soft on my tear-stained skin. I attempt a weak smile as he lifts my chin to meet his eyes. The dark brown that meet my own sends fireworks spiralling in my stomach, but I resist the urge to stare into them and pull away. Heart thumping, I stand up.

          "Maybe we should leave the house. I shouldn't be here anyway," I suggest, rubbing my thighs. I receive no answer and look around to see Nex staring into the distance, eyes shining with disappointment. "Nex?" He shakes his head and turns his gaze to me, his gaze piercing into my skin.

           "Uh... no, you stay. I'll go. They'll be expecting you to be here anyway." His words are short, and I regret advising that we leave. I wipe my face again and sit back down next to him, fumbling with my hands.

          "It's fine." I smile weakly. "Stay." Nex runs his tongue over his teeth, shaking his head slightly.

          "I don't think-"

          "Stay," I repeat. "Please."