Falling, Fallen (BoyXBoy) ✓ [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty Four

Note

This chapter will contain triggering events, such as drug abuse and overdoses, and physical/verbal abuse. This is a possible trigger warning! Read at your own discretion...

Chapter Twenty Four

The timer that I'd set for the oven went off as soon as I managed to catch a break from cleaning around the first floor. I sighed heavily, and heaved myself back up and over to the kitchen.

I caught a tiny glance at the back deck. Surely enough, Jerick was still sunbathing. I wondered if he smelled the baking muffins. They smelled good, which was a good sign, but whether they tasted good was the real question.

I took the baking sheets out one by one and let them rest on the counter top for a little bit. "Mmmm", I heard a faint cheerful voice echo from behind me, which scared the hell out of me. I jumped, turning to see that Chey was behind me. She had a bad case of bedhead.

"Those smell amazing", she added, eyeing the plate up and down. I knew that she wanted one.

"You can have one", I deadpanned, snatching one and laying it into her hand. "I made these for Jerick. He's hungry, so why the hell not. Where's everyone else? Are you the only one up?"

"Yep", Chey simply said, tiredly, while breaking off a piece of muffin and stuffing it into her mouth. "Mmmmm! This is great! He's gonna love this. And no, I'm the only other one up besides you and your hubby. I'm surprised you couldn't hear everyone's loud ass snores!"

"Haha", I sarcastically teased. "You're more than welcome to join us out there. There's a fresh pot of coffee made". With that, I kept my trip to Jerick. I opened the door, and he turned to look at me.

His eyes opened wide, seeing that I had made Chocolate Chip Muffins. "Oh my!" Jerick mouthed in excitement. "I love those! You're the best, Xander!"

"Awww", I put a free hand to my chest, with the other holding the heavy plate. "These are all for you. I knew you were hungry, and cravings would be off the walls for you".

His sparkling ocean blue eyes opened even wider. "Really?! All for... me?" I nodded happily, handing the plate to him. He practically threw the book aside and dug into the delicious desserts. I could hear my boyfriend moaning in satisfaction. A small chuckle erupted from me.

"Hey!" Cheyanne shouted, walking out with her cup of coffee in hand. She still had the major case of bedhead. I looked back down at my pregnant boyfriend to find that the plate was demolished. My mouth dropped open.

"Babe! How'd you eat all that so fast?!" He looked up at me, with chocolate smeared on his lips, and smiled innocently. "Whoops! I couldn't resist!" Jerick stared innocently, licking the chocolate off of the plate.

I couldn't blame him, though. They smelled like heaven. It sucks that I couldn't eat, unless I had someone's blood in the mixture. "I'm glad you liked them", I added, staring at the glazed clean plate.

"Shit", Chey lowly bellowed, causing for Jerick and I to stare at her in blank confusion. "Today's my damn appointment with my therapist. Completely forgot to be honest". She grunted a fake laugh and sipped from her coffee.

"You— have a therapist?" I asked with pure confusion, raising an eyebrow. "You don't seem like you need one, though"...

"Yes I have one", Chey impatiently added while rolling her eyes. "I don't want one, but I do need one. PTSD sucks, my dude". Shit... I felt bad for saying she didn't need one. My heart sank.

"Shit"... I sighed, lookin down at the crimson colored floorboards of the deck. "I'm— sorry... I didn't know". Chey sighed and finished her mouthful of coffee.

"It's whatever", she mouthed. "You didn't know, and I never told you my past. It was somewhat my fault, anyway". Jerick lifted slightly pained eyes at her.

"A lifetime of abuse sucks, Xander", Cheyanne admitted without much hesitation. "I grew up in a really bad household... Drugs, and alcohol were a big part of my childhood, and it wasn't good at all. I FUCKING WATCHED MY MOTHER OVERDOSE WITH A NEEDLE IN HER ARM.  I can't forget that, and I never will".

Pained tears formed in my eyes as Chey took some time to take a break. Jerick was watching me the whole time with pained eyes as well. I had no idea she had it that bad. Tears were streaming gently from her dropped face.

"It's... hard, Xander. Having countless dreams about seeing my mother's blue, lifeless face. Seeing my father standing over me with the belt. Having to hear the constant profanities and insults 24/7. It's always around me. I can't control it".

I hadn't realized I was crying, until I saw the stains on my shorts. This was... heart wrenching to hear. There were no words from Jerick and I.

"There's..." Chey paused, wiping her face with her hand in her sweatshirt sleeve. "There's... a sort of silver lining, though. It taught me to never be the person that— my parents were. It taught me to stay away from those types of things... There, now you know my— full story"...

"Chey", I tearfully whispered. "I'm— so sorry—

"Don't be, kiddo", she painfully smiled. "It was... in the past... shamefully for me, it's following me wherever I go. That's why I need a therapist. I'd love for you to meet him, though. He's a cool guy".

I stood up and embraced Chey in my arms. My mind powers made the situation for me worse. I could... feel her pain. All of those emotions smacked me like an Amtrak train. It was hard, but I was somewhat glad that she opened up a little bit.

Chey was a strong person. I was glad that she trusted me enough to tell her story. "Thanks, Xander", Chey sighed, pulling away slightly to get her coffee mug. "Do you want... a haircut later? It's well down passed your eyebrows".

I nodded happily, shaking my hair in front of her. "Yes, I'll happily get one from you. Thanks!"

Chey weakly smiled, crinkling her bloodshot eyes. "No problem! I enjoy your company and your time. I value talking to you, my dude. I'll see you later. This hair ain't gonna fix itself!"

She made a weird face, shook he hair, and strolled back inside. I turned to Jerick with concerned eyes.

"I know", Jerick deadpanned, trying to maintain his stature. "Everyone here has significant baggage. Chey, quite possibly might have the worst of it. She's strong, you know. Everyone here admires you, babe".

"You're right", I sighed. "She is strong. She's quite possibly the strongest person I know. I've e never felt that many emotions at once in my life. It was tough to keep my composure. I'm such a mess".

I nervously laughed, and planted a soft, meaningful kiss on my boyfriend's lips. "I love you", I whispered into his ear. The words made him shiver.

"I love you too, hun". Jerick returned a kiss to me. "Now, go and keep Chey company. She seems like she needs someone to talk to".

I agreeably nodded. "Yeah, I was actually going to ask if I could go and keep her company".

"By all means!" Jerick enthusiastically added, drinking from his mug. "You don't have to ask to do anything. Now go on, she needs you".

I nodded, planting another kiss on his cheek, and walked back inside, closing the glass door behind me.

What just happened might have been the most emotional thing I've ever experienced. I really did admire Cheyanne.

I smiled to myself and proceeded to find her. After all, this hair wasn't cutting itself!