Second Heartbeat [Avenged Sevenfold]

Chapter 7

> Scarlett's POV <

I woke up with the sun streaming through the window. Jimmy lay next to me; not leaving, just as he promised. I slipped out of the bed careful not to wake Jimmy.

I pulled on his shirt he had carelessly discarded on the floor, wincing as pain shot through my ribs. I carefully positioned my arm in such a way that I could pull the cast through the shirt and not hurt my ribs.

After succeeding, I quietly slipped out the door and downstairs heading towards the kitchen.

I looked around at a complete loss as to where anything may be.

'Maybe I should wait for someone to wake up.'

"Morning, Scar."

I turned around to be greeted a smiling Brian and a woman who I assumed was his girlfriend, who was looking me up and down.

They both looked like they'd been out.

"Morning. Have you guys been somewhere?" I questioned.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Brian's companion snapped. My mouth slightly hung open, shocked by her hostility.

"Laura what has gotten into you?"

Brian turned to her frowning.

"What has gotten into me?! There's a half naked girl standing in our kitchen and my boyfriend is practically undressing her with his eyes!"

I looked down at my attire. Jimmy's shirt covered my shorts so it did in fact look like I had no pants on.

I glanced back up at her.

"Um.. I believe we've gotten off on the wrong note. I'm Scarlett." I held out my left hand not being able to offer my right one.

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Laura. I already know who you are."

I lowered my hand and slightly hugged myself as anxiety consumed my body.

"Well, Laura, I mean no harm. I'm not here to steal your boyfriend. My heart is totally taken by someone who is no longer here so.." I looked down at my feet as the tears began to form.

"You won't have to worry about me too much longer, anyway. I'm going home soon."

"Good." She cut me off.

"Laura do you always have to be such a bitch?"

"I've been telling you this for a while, Brian." Jimmy spoke entering the kitchen, shirtless. He make his way over to me wrapping his arm around my shoulder and kissing the top of my head.

"So you're the thief that stole my top?" He grinned down at me.

"Of course she did." Laura said rolling her eyes.

"First night here and she's already making her way through the boys of the house. Is it your turn tonight, Brian?"

"You may want to make sure your girlfriend keeps her mouth shut, Brian. Otherwise, some not so nice things are going to come out of mine." Jimmy's arm tightened around me as he held me to him in a protective manner.

"And just so you know, Laura." Jimmy continued. "It's still my turn tonight." He winked at her and I tried to contain my laughter.

He turned me away from Brian and Laura walking over to the sink and getting me a glass of water.

"Sorry for the bitch. You alright?"

I could hear the harsh whispers between Brian and Laura, making me feel guilty.

I nodded whilst taking sips from the glass.

"To answer your question before, I just had to go meet our manager. Talk about some things before we head into the studio next week. How's the pain this morning Scar?"

Brian asked.

"It's alright. My ribs are not really feeling all that great though."

"Just keep feeding the little bitch attention. Can't you see that's what she's looking for?!" Laura's face was red with anger.

I saw Brian and Jimmy both tense and Jimmy opened his mouth to say something.

"I'm just gonna go shower, and change the dressing on my ribs." I murmured making my way toward the stairs.

"Do you want me to call Val to ask her to come early so she can help you?"

"No thanks, Brian. I should probably start doing things for myself. Wouldn't want to be seen as anymore of an attention seeking whore than I already am."

"Glad you got the memo." I heard Laura whisper. I chuckled shaking my head as I made my way back up to my room.

I stripped off making sure my cast was covered before stepping into the shower.

The warm water calmed my muscles and washed away all my worries and insecurities. I groaned in frustration as I tried to remove the tape on my ribs with one hand.

After succeeding, I stepped out and patted myself dry; flinching as the pressure on my ribs started to become unbearable.

I slipped into my panties and tried to slip into my bra with no success. I became frustrated, looking at myself in the mirror.

I hated the person that looked back at me. I hated her so much. My breath became ragged as I attempted one last time to put my bra on, letting a frustrated scream escape my lips.

The anger and frustration consumed me and I broke down.

"Scarlett?" Brian's voice came through the door.

I sat on the floor and pulled my knees to my chest, ignoring the pain radiating from my ribs.

"Scarlett." Brian's voice become more desperate. Before I could even answer he barged in.

"Oh.." He took in my lack of clothing and started to back out.

"I'm gonna go call.."

"Just help me please." I whispered.

He gave an unsure nod before making his way over and pulling me up; avoiding any eye contact with my body.

"You can look at me, Brian. I'm pretty positive I'm not the first barely naked girl you've seen."

He didn't reply as he clasped the hooks on my bra.

"Laura's going to kill me if she finds out about this."

"Good thing she's not going to. Wouldn't want her to hate me anymore."

He opened his mouth to say something. I didn't want his sympathy.

"If you could just help me get Jimmy's shirt back on, I'll call Val to come help me tape my ribs."

"Scar, I can do it."

"I don't want you to have anymore of a guilty conscious. Just help me so you can get back to your girlfriend, before she suspects something."

He sighed in response and helped me back into the shirt.

"Thanks." I avoided eye contact.

"You can go now, Brian."

He continued to stand there. I could feel his eyes on my body.

"Brian?" I glanced at him. He shook his head as if snapping himself out of a trance.

"Uh, yea. Sorry." He gave me one last look before walking away.

I sighed heading back into the bedroom calling Val.

"Scarlett, I'll be there soon. Alright?"

She didn't even give me the chance to respond before she hung up.

I giggled to myself, laying back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.