'Cause Nothing Lasts Forever ✔️

Chapter-6 - Unveiling the strange man

Blaire's P.O.V

I went into my room feeling quite fresh that night. Dad was home by then but he rarely checked into my room. I had a lot of privacy there and I really liked it. I changed into loose-fitting sleeveless tees, paired with boy shorts and pulled my hair into a bun. I didn't know why but there was an unknown sprinkle of happiness that we were friends at least, although 'underground'. Scrolling down through iTunes, I walked over to the window and opened it for fresh air to come in. My eyes wandered across the lawn and the outside beauty when the maple tree called for my attention again. My heart clenched with fright at the spectacle of that shadow again. I pulled the panes in a hurry and went safely tucked in my bed.

I played an old album of the '90s and plugged in my headphones. A couple of minutes passed but I didn't have the courage to sleep, my fears were making me weak. I didn't want my nightmares to return and destroy the happiness fluttering in me. A loud tap banged in my ear and I nearly leapt out of my bed in surprise and fear, when I saw Christian hanging off the window sill. I ran over to the window to open it.

"You?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah! Got quite bored down there," He replied pointing down towards the lawn.

I noticed that the man standing by the tree was gone and so it was him but why?

"May I come in?" he asked.

"No. Absolutely not," I said in a chiding manner, narrowing my eyes at him. He climbed up and sat on the window frame. I pulled up the sheets over my legs to cover it. I didn't like the way the boy shorts were exposing it.

"So how did you get up here?" I asked.

"It's the first floor, you know it right ?" I added further.

"Certainly. But I have my way you know," he bragged.

"Have you been stalking me ?" I asked curiously.

"No. Trust me, just keeping an eye on you," he said hiding a smile.

"Personal insecurities," he shrugged.

"Ohh!! Yeah." I rolled my eyes.

"Do you really do this to each of your friends...I mean your 'girl fan club'?" I teased, quoting the words with my fingers.

"I mean stalking them or rather keeping an eye on them and then suddenly jumping in through their window one night," I added.

"Nope, not really," he swayed his head left-right, scrutinizing me under his narrowed look.

"So, why are you here?" I asked in an accusing tone.

His face turned grave and he spoke in a silent whisper, "I need to talk"

"About?"

"About...about that night," he finally spoke.

I remained expressionless. I don't know what to say.

"I don't wanna discuss it anymore," I said, sadness finally took over me.

"Please. If you want to know the truth about me then, please. You have to Blaire and I can't hide it anymore from you," He said pleadingly.

"Okay," I sighed.

"That was the most awful night of my life. I felt the urge of shielding you so much but I couldn't gather courage. Maybe I'm not even worthy of your time and friendship. Since that incident, my nights have become demons for me. I couldn't even sleep a single night peacefully until I saw you again. It was my fault Blaire that you had to lose your friend," his head hung over his chest.

"It wasn't any of your faults Christian. It was just an accident and our ill-luck," I exclaimed.

"That's your point of view, your perspective because you don't know the whole story. Somewhere I'm guilty too," his eyes immensely sad.

"To be honest, I have nightmares every night too. I also didn't have a proper night sleep after that. I don't know how to overcome that. Maybe it'll take time," I fiddled with the bedsheets.

"After that day I tried to call you, maybe a thousand times but no one answered my calls. Then I had a short conversation with your mother later one day. She said that you were doing fine then," he said.

"But..," I started to say while he cut me off.

"Don't ask where I got your number because I have my ways you know," he said further.

A smile broke out on our faces, while a frown appeared between my brows, mom spoke to him but didn't tell me?

"I'm feeling a lot lighter now," he said finally.

"Me too," I smiled back.

"Maybe we can overcome our fears together."

"I know we can," I said.

"You know," I started, emotions already clogged my throat," when I left LA and drove off here, I thought the most painful thing I felt was saying goodbye to mom. She held herself so well and stood by me saying that she understands. But then I went to Lily's grave and an unknown pain just hit me hard. I can't describe how hard it was for me. I felt so suffocated there. I knelt down automatically as if the gravity pulled me down by my knees," I paused breathing heavily trying to get hold of my tears.

"There were fresh flowers and half-burnt candles. She's remembered and maybe missed too. I leaned in and touched her engraved name on that designer headstone of hers. 'LILY DECK (30th June 2002 - 15th July 2018)' Trust me, nothing pained me as much as that did. All the memories, her laughter and our moments together, everything was suddenly before my eyes. Replaying on their own in a flash of a moment. I felt....," I felt water rolling down my cheeks, my breath was heavy.

I tried to avoid everything as I looked towards the ceiling. He stood up and the next moment I knew, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a warm hug,"shhh...everything will be fine," his hand slowly stroked against my back in an attempt to soothe me down.

"Yeah...it'll be. I'm sure," I said with a cracked voice.

That moment only lasted for a few seconds but it felt like forever.

"I'm sorry," he shrugged,"I mean my gesture..,"

"It's okay," I said before he could finish.

"I really felt that you needed that hug."

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Sun poured through my window waking me up. My phone vibrated suddenly and I opened the text to read, "Good morning, Blaire."

"Good morning" I replied.

I felt happiness popping out today. After all, my life's going well.

"Blaire," my father called out.

"Yes, dad."

"Come down princess, I have something for you," he said.

I ran downstairs as dad handed me a paper.

"I'm a sorry princess but I have to go for an assignment for a month and will return by Halloween. So you have to accommodate in the hostel. I don't wanna leave you alone but I have to," he concluded.

"I already discussed it with your mom and she agreed to it," He added.

"Alright,” I said in a mixed reaction.