Cry Baby (Demi Lovato)

EIGHT

After the nausea past seeing the happy couple rekindling in the kitchen, I found myself out in the garden, toes dipped into the chlorinated pool while the sun shone like there wasn't a torrential storm only a short while ago. With my song writing journal in my hand, I allowed my thoughts to do the talking as my right hand scrawled down lyric after lyrics, messy and unordered.

It couldn't have been more than an hour when I heard her voice again, alone this time. "Hey."

"Hi." I mumbled back, not sparing a glance as my eyebrows knitted together while I attempted to form the structure of the song.

"You've been out here a while."

"I have?"

"Yeah, three hours nearly."

"Oh. I didn't realise." Finally turning away from the white page, I turned to see Mia stood barely two metres behind me, fiddling with her sleeves nervously. "Where's Mason?"

"We- He, um- He left." I couldn't help the bitter scoff that escaped my lips, only just stopping myself from insulting him.

"Did you want something or?" My words didn't come out rude, but nor did they sound exactly inviting either. Who could blame me though?

"I just- No, I didn't."

"...OK. Maybe you could help me up and help get my boot back on?"

"Yeah! Yeah, sure!" Immediately, she sprung into action and took my boot. Ignoring the connection I felt when she grasped my hand, she helped me up before squatting back down to fit my swollen foot into the boot. "Is that ok?"

"Perfect. I need to go bandage my leg. Do you know if Hai is in?"

"I don't think so. Her and Abi were going grocery shopping. If you need help, I can?"

"Um- Sure. Why not." Linking her arm with my own, she guided me inside as if I was visually impaired or something of the sort. Once we'd arrived at my bedroom, where the supplies were stored, she busied herself to ready the bandages and plasters.

"Do you know what you're doing?"

"Not really." She sheepishly grinned. "However, I know a thing or two about first aid so I'm sure I can handle it."

"Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect. Seems kinda unnecessary really." I laugh, shuffling back against the pillows of my bed. She nervously sat beside my leg, her actions suddenly becoming very gentle as she lifted my limb into her lap.

"Does it hurt much?"

"Only when I overexert it." As I watch her movements steadily move around my leg, her tongue peeking out between her pink lips in concentration, I can't help the smile that takes over my face. She was so sweet, her fingers as light as feathers as they tickled my leg. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, anything." She isn't concentrating on either of our words as she works, probably assuming my question isn't going to be as heavy as it is.

"Why- Why are you still with Mason?" Her expression drops as the question captures her off guard. She really wasn't expecting it but I just had to know why.

"Because..." No words come but her mouth still moves, attempting to come up with something. "...I love him.

"You love him. Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure." That answer comes much quicker.

"I just don't understand why." I confess. "He treats you- everyone so horribly. He ditched you, he called you a horrible name, he literally was checking me out on the first day here, right in front of you!" Once I started, I couldn't stop but I just couldn't understand why. "You could do so much better and I know you're thinking I'm saying all of this because of what happened the other night but I'm really not. You deserve someone who can support you through this and really be there for you and speaking from experience, he's not the type of person you want to be around when you get out of here. When you feel strong enough to be out there on your own two feet. A beautiful-" Before my rant can continue, the gentle wrapping of fabric is interrupted by soft splatters of tears soaking into the fabric. "Mia? Camilla, are you okay?"

"M'fine."

"You're not. Come here." Reaching forward, I take her by the hands and bring her closer to me.

"I'm so tired." She whimpers, letting her body rest against my own.

"I know Mia. You might feel tired and like you wanna cave and not fight right now but I promise you the recovery is worth it and deep down you know what. No matter what anyone says."

"He was amazing at the start." She defends quietly, letting her soft cries echo around my white bedroom. "He's just what I've known for so long. He's all I've known."

"And now you know me. And Hai and Abi. Don't ever feel scared to be alone." Holding her body just a little tighter against my own, I fall back against the pillows and allow her to collapse on top of my own.

Tanned hands clench my shirt, pulling herself against me snugly as she sighs between soft cries. "I've got you, just relax. Get some rest."

Like my words perform a spell, her eyes flutter as she fully relaxes into me, soft breathes warming the skin of my neck. And as I hold her, a random film on the flat screen television playing quietly in the background, I allow her intoxicating scent and warm body invite me into my own slumber.

All I could think of as I drifted into dreamland was how I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep and wake up every morning in this exact position.

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note: first of all, i'm super sorry that this took so long! and secondly, i'm sorry it's rather short and not that exciting but i promise the next one will be! enjoy🖤