Let's keep each other safe from the world

Chapter Three - Now My World Is Shattering

Song for the chapter: Gravity - Against The Current.
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Geoff froze in his position crouched in front of the chair which now just holds a confused Jet. Geoff's eyes were closed, and he forced himself to take a breath.

"Geoff, I thought you'd told her," Jawn said, sounding a little guilty for bringing it up.

"I was going to, but then things just got out of hand and fuck!" he said as he ran his hand through his hair, knowing it was most likely already a mess. He turned around and flopped down on the ground, falling against the sofa now behind him. He looked up and saw the other three guys looking at him with disappointment clearly written across their faces. None of them wanted to leave Ari behind, but it wasn't like they couldn't tour either. It just really sucked that everything had been going downhill for the last few weeks, it made it the worst time to have to leave and go on a tour for two months. The other three were scared because Ari had only just started hanging out with them again today after weeks of not feeling up to it, so they knew whatever was going on wasn't good. However, Geoff was terrified to leave his best friend. He knew what was going on, he had seen what happened, he knew how she deals with stress and pain, he knew the insecurities she has and he didn't want to leave her alone for months at a time. But this was his job, his life, his dream.

"One of us needs to go check on her", Otto announced, cutting the silence that had fallen across the room. "And no offence Geoff, but I don't think it should be you right now," he said, looking over at his bandmate with a look of sympathy.

"No, it's okay, I know she probably doesn't want to see me right now," Geoff said with a small frown.

"I'll go." Awsten was quick to volunteer. He stood and walked out of the room before anyone had a chance to stop him, not that they would have.

Awsten made his way up the stairs, knowing she was up there somewhere because he had heard her run up them after she left the living room before. As he walked along the hallway, he noticed the bathroom door was open, so she wasn't in there. He then peeked his head into his music room and frowned when she wasn't in there either. With only one more place to check upstairs, Awsten headed into his room. As he pushed the door open, he was surprised to find his room empty, but then he saw her. A piece of her golden brown hair blew into view through the window. She was sitting on the little roof outside his window, and he kicked himself because he should've known this is where she would be. Not wanting to give her a fright and scare her into falling off the roof, Awsten softly knocked on the open window causing Aurora to look back and give him a soft smile. He climbed out of his window and onto the roof and sat down next to her.

"I'm sorry I overreacted," she said, her voice soft and whisper-like, as she pulled the soft fabric of her sweater over her hands.

"Aurora, it's okay, you didn't overreact. We all thought Geoff had told you, we understand why this would upset you. None of us wants to leave you," he softly told her. She looked out across the city unable to make eye contact, plus she just liked the view from up here, being able to see across houses. But Awsten couldn't keep his eyes off her, her hair falling around her, the golden brown being pushed around gently by the soft breeze. The sunlight hitting it made it look even more golden than usual.

"I just...I don't know what I will do without all of you, I know I've been distant lately, but it's still been comforting to know you are all here," she admitted.

"We will all still be here for you, we will all just be a phone call away." Awsten reached out his hand gently wanting to make Aurora turn her head to look at him, but instead, she flinched away from him, which caused him to quickly retract his hand and mutter an apology.

As Aurora went back to watching the horizon, Awsten's mind wandered. He knew she had always been shy and reserved, and not the biggest fan of physical contact, but today had seemed like those things had escalated so far since the last time he has seen her. Something happened to her and he knew that, but he didn't know what. Awsten could feel his mind running in overtime, trying to figure out what had left this girl so terrified of even the slightest touch from a long-time friend. He could feel his heart breaking. He wanted to be able to hug her and hold her and make sure she didn't fall apart, but he couldn't do that and he felt so useless. Useless. Useless.

"Geoff didn't mean to hurt you, he's beating himself up downstairs" Awsten explained to break the silence.

"I know he didn't, I'm not mad at him, I'm just scared." She told her purple-haired friend, still not looking away from the horizon. She found it easier to talk when she wasn't looking at him. Plus knowing that there would be a look of concern spread across his face especially after she flinched away from him, made her really not want to look back.

"What's scaring you?" he asked softly, wanting to be able to help.

"Being alone I guess...I know you have to go on tour, I know you all love it and it's your dream. I just don't like being alone." She told him, as she pulled her knees up to her chest, still not taking her eyes off the horizon.

"You know I wish you could come with us," he told her truthfully. He hated leaving the girl he liked and being away for months. The first time he had gone on tour he thought maybe a breakaway from seeing her all the time would lessen his feelings for her, but as time passed his feelings remained and now he was in too deep. And she had no idea.

"Me too" she admitted, turning back, and offering a small smile before returning to staring at the horizon.

The two of them allowed the sound of the breeze running through the nearby trees and the birds singing wash over them as they sat there watching the horizon. It was calm and peaceful, it felt safe. It felt like home.