Finally Grounded (Sequel To The One Who Grounds Me)

Chapter Thirteen

Tristan

Tiana eased herself off my lap. The shock was evident in her face. Honestly I felt the same way, when I heard the news. She opened and closed her mouth. Her eyes were glassy, with unshed tears.

"....are y... you sure?" She croaked.

"Yes. I received the news, while you were sleeping. Martha called." I said, clearing my throat.

Tiana pulled on her fingers, her eyes were downcast. "Did she say why?"

I licked my lips. I couldn't tell her the truth, if I did then she would start blaming herself.

"Is she okay?"

"At the moment, yes."

Tiana's eyes twitched, a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm such an horrible friend. I've been so caught up in my own shit, I wasn't....."

I wrapped my arms around her shoulder. She nestled her head in the crook of my neck. "None of this is your fault, so don't you dare start blaming yourself."

"But...." She protested.

"No Tiana." I growled. ".... Cathy was weak! She succumbed to her fear. Instead of trying to kill herself, she should have reached out to someone! This is not your fucking fault! Cathy is the one, who should bear all the blame."

"But.... if i was there, this wouldn't have happened."

That is true.

"You couldn't have done shit, to prevent this! Cathy was gonna find out anyways!" I yelled at her.

Damnit I am allowing my nerves to get the best of me. She pulled away, her gaze penetrated mine.

"Find out what?" She demanded, her eyes narrowed.

Nice going Tristan. You just had to slip up. I ground my teeth together. Pushing my left hand in my pocket, I pulled out my pack of cigarettes. Which Tiana snatched out of my hand. I glowered at her, in vexation.

"What are you not telling me?" She gritted out.

"It's not my story to tell." I said, getting up I started to pace.

"I don't give a fuck! I want the truth, right fucking now!" She yelled. Her eyes blazed with rage. I ran my fingers through my messy hair.

My mouth clamped shut.

"You promised me, that you would always be straight with me, what the hell is going on Tristan? Why the hell are you withholding important information?"

"Because it's not my story to tell, and I promised Martha that I wouldn't mention shit to you."

"Well Martha isn't here! I'm the one you're fucking not Martha!" She flung the pack of cigarettes across the room. ".... I fucking hate secrets Tristan. I hate them! Also Cathy is my friend, I have the right, to know the truth!"

I folded my arms. "Something's should remain, unsaid."

"Nah! Fuck that. I want to know the truth Tristan!"

"You'll only blame yourself, if I told you."

"I want to know. Please Tristan...." Her lips quivered. "..... I won't blame myself, I just want to understand, why she tried to take her own life."

"Fine okay. But you have to promise me that, you won't freak out or anything like that."

"I won't." She replied, her eyes were pleading.

I screwed my eyes shut. "Cathy tried to kill herself because she saw, the picture you posted on social media."

"What picture?"

"The one you took of us couple nights ago?"

Tiana's eyes widens. "But it's just a picture...."

"It's not just a picture Tiana... Cathy tried to kill herself because she is in love with you. Seeing that picture made her realized, she would never get a chance to be with you."

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