Still

Chapter 7

I wait for what seems like hours until an unscathed Val finally appeared at her vehicle. She is with Ben and he is frantically trying to calm her down and get her into the backseat.

"What happened?" I ask as I get out of the driver's seat.

"She tossed Ray in the pool." Ben says sounding rather frustrated with her. "I didn't even know what was happening." He sighs. "Some dude came up to me and asked if it was my girlfriend that just kicked Ray's ass."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen." I tell him.

"It's not your fault, Em. You know how Val gets." He says whilst offering me a weak smile. "I'll drive you home, I can take care of her at my place."

I nod in response and get into the passenger seat.

"That fucking bitch, I would've done a whole hell of a lot more to her if this moron didn't throw me over his shoulder." She gestures at Ben, still in a midst of rage.

"Sorry I didn't feel like dealing with you getting charged with assault today." Ben grumbles and starts the vehicle.

When I arrive at my house I head straight to my room and lock the door. I begin to think about everything that happened today. I can't bear to show my face at school on Monday, I'll be glared upon and who knows what Ray will have in store for me. And then there's Zane. Why did he come to me? What were his motives? Why wasn't he concerned about Ray?

I want to try. I recall him saying. How could he want to reconcile our relationship at this point? I don't know if I can possibly put myself through more emotional exhaustion based on his behalf. If his comes back into my life, I will be in more distress if he leaves again.

And he will leave again, I remind myself. He is blatantly notorious for it.

You left me that night. What if he didn't want to leave? Maybe I am the one who truly fucked us up.

My thoughts of him continue to spiral until I fall asleep fully clothed on top of my comforter.

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I awake to the sound of my phone ringing. I groggily look at my phone to see that Zane is calling me. My heart drops and begins to pound as I swipe to answer him.

"Hello?" I say with fear bubbling inside of me.

"Hey Embs, can I please talk to you?" He's talking quietly.

"Why?" I nearly whisper in response as I try not to let my voice quiver.

"Please Ember."

"About what?" I ask rather shallowly.

"Just let me come see you, okay? I'll be there soon." He is sounding almost desperate now.

"Wha---" I start but the phone goes silent. Maybe I'm just dreaming again but my phone resting in my hand feels too real. I check the time. 2:00 AM. How could I have slept so long? What does he want from me? My body starts to chill and I can feel the cold sweats coming. I can't do this. I begin to rummage in my bedside table, looking for a cigarette Val may have left. I find one and run downstairs to light it with a match.

My phone buzzes. I'm here. The text from Zane reads. Can I come in? He texts again. I can't let him into my house. I can't relive his presence here. No. I'll come outside.