Naomi POV:
One of my few talents is being able to guess when something won't turn out well. For example, whenever I see Raymond my immediate reaction is to think 'shoot! He's probably going to be a massive pain in the butt' and I'm almost always right. That talent also helps me to conclude that Declan is probably going to say some not-so-nice things as soon as he walks in this room.
I didn't mean to do it. I was in the living room of the base and I tripped and fell right where Declan left his favorite acoustic guitar. His expensive guitar was wrecked. Its neck was broken and all the strings were snapped.
"Holy shit," I whispered, bending down but not wanting to touch it, even though it was already too far gone beyond repair. "Oh my god, oh my god." I wiped at my eyes, trying to think clearly. I knew the guitar was extremely expensive, probably out of my price range, but what choice did I have? It was an accident, but one that I had caused nonetheless. However, I had almost no time to do anything before I heard the front door open. Shoot. He's back. I knew it couldn't be Jordan or Bennett because Bennett had a family meeting and Jordan decided to go home for the day. I walked towards the door, ready to come clean but also filled with anxiety. Oh God, he's going to hate me.
"Hey, Naomi," he said with a smile. He looked so happy and it only made me feel guiltier. I swallowed the lump in my throat to speak.
"Hi." I meant for my voice to sound normal, but instead it came out quiet and unsteady. He must've picked up on it, because his warm smile turned into a frown as soon as I spoke.
"Are you alright?" he asked. I let out a shaky breath before meeting his eyes.
"I need to tell you something," I told him. A mix of confusion and concern flashed across his face.
"Okay... go ahead," he said.
"I was in the living room earlier... and I tripped," I started.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes narrowed in concern. I nodded weakly, not bothering to tell him about the small cut that I got on my arm.
"I'm fine," I said. "But your guitar isn't."
I swallowed hard, watching Declan's jaw clench as a different look filled his eyes. He slowly moved away from me, turning into the living room as I held my breath, waiting several long moments for his reaction, before not being able to take the wait and following him in.
"It's... ruined," he said softly, his fingers running along the broken neck. When he looked up, his eyes hardened. "You fucking broke it." My heart clenched at the crack in his voice.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I'll get you a new one, I swear. I'll get you one just like it, I promise," I said, frantically trying to make amends.
He laughed, but it sounded cruel and fake and hurt my ears. "Naomi, do you know how fucking expensive that guitar was? Way too much for you to buy."
I flinched at the harsh dig. Declan knew that my family was currently struggling financially. My dad had just lost his job, and unless he can get a new one soon we would have to sell our home. I'd never use my parents' money for something like a guitar when they're struggling like this, and I'd probably have to take the money out of my own already small college fund, but I was willing to do just about anything to make up for what I've done. That guitar meant everything to Declan. It had been his father's and I had just ruined it.
"Look, it's an accident Declan, and I'll fix it," I mumbled, begging your tears to go away.
"You can't fucking fix it!" He roared, face turning a deep shade of red suddenly. "I don't want a new one, they don't even make the same one anymore!"
"Declan, I'll take care of it!" I yelled back, feeling my heartbeat become wild. He rarely lost his temper with me, and honestly, he scared me when he did. "What do you want me to do, Declan?" I pleaded, eyes filling up. "It's not like I can go back in time."
There was a long silence, and Declan's next sentence cut through me like a knife. A knife laced with every kind of poison known to man.
"I want you to get out."
"What?" I whispered brokenly, staring at his back as he faced his guitar, refusing to look at me.
"I know you don't get it, but this guitar means a lot to me," he said lowly. "And right now, I just really need some space from you. Please, just go away for the night."
So I did. I walked out the door numbly and let the door shut behind me. I had no way to get home, I would have to walk home, which would be kind of dangerous since the base is in kind of a shady part of town, but at that point I didn't care. The only thing that mattered was the fact that Declan couldn't even stand me and I was entirely to blame.
The beginning of many parts. Sorry it's so short!
