Melancholy (𝗔𝗚 𝘅 𝗦𝗚)

12

"How do we see past the mess and confusion of the trauma to figure out what the damage actually is? Infinite possibilities..."

Ariana stared off into space as Grey's Anatomy played on the tv screen in front of her.

"Every part of a trauma tells a different piece of the story."

It was almost as if April Kepner was speaking directly to her.

"We have to push, and we have to fight."

Ariana snapped out of her daydreaming as Jackson Avery tended to a patient on the show. She sighed as she thought of the fictional characters and relationships. April and Jackson started off amazing... and then... they both came crashing down really hard.

It reminded her of her entire relationship with Pete.

But, then again, this was real life. And real life was sometimes just as dramatic as a tv show. Like April and Jackson experienced, her and Pete weren't exactly speaking about important things. Instead of talking things out, like sensible adults would, they just managed to have sex everytime they ended up together. Ariana didn't know if Pete thought sex would fix their problems or make them go away... but they were just as much of a burden as before. When they did try to talk, they both got so defensive. Their arguements turned explosive. Pete let all the negativity on social media affect him in real life. He read it and he took it to heart.

Ariana was only on season 12 of Grey's Anatomy and if April and Jackson could save their marriage on the show, maybe her and Pete could figure things out and work.

"Ariana?"

"Huh?" She turned towards the front door where Pete was standing with a key in his hand, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I- uh," She cleared her throat, "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

"Getting some more clothes," He answered as he walked down the hallway and into their bedroom. Ariana heard him moving around when he came back with a bag and his phone charger.

"How's your mom?"

Pete turned to her, his hand resting on the doorknob, "She's good. Ari, baby, I don't-"

"Don't leave." Ariana interrupted, "Please. Just- I don't wanna be alone tonight. Stay."

"Are you sure?" Pete set his stuff by the door and walked towards her on the couch when she nodded, "I'll stay."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are. Stop saying it," Ariana rested her head against him as he sat down on the couch next to her. Another episode of Grey's Anatomy started playing.

"I took your advice. I'm quitting instagram."

Ariana nodded her head, "That's good. Maybe it'll help."

Meanwhile, article after article was being published online from Pete's note posted to his instagram story: 'no there's nothing wrong. no nothing happened. no there's nothing cryptic about anything. i just don't wanna be on instagram anymore. or on any social media platform. the internet is an evil place and it doesn't make me feel good. why should i spend time on negative energy when my real life is fucking lit? the fact that i even have to say this proves my point. i love you all and i'm sure i'll be back at some point :)
your neighborhood goon,
pete'

"How did we get to this? How do we make it stop?"