Infatuation

9|

Nayla didn't even realise she was crying until she felt she identified the all too familiar wetness that tears tended to leave behind.

She didn't realise how her best friend was still shouting, profanities spewing from her mouth like a running tap.

She didn't realise that she was shaking relentlessly, or that Jude was staring at her.

In her mind everything had frozen, everything was quiet. She felt as if she was watching the scene play out in front of her from her TV screen, but no, this was happening.

Her mind was spinning in circles, her fingers itched with the ever increasing build up of perspiration. She had sent herself into a state of extreme shock, she was confused. She was...

Everything was black, pitch black. Nayla failed the hear Lena's high pitch screams; she failed the feel Jude shaking her, begging for her to wake up. She failed the feel the thud that shook the ground as Lena pushed Jude to the floor

"It's your fault, it's you. Why did you-" Lena herself had been lost for words, her usual talkative state long forgotten.

"Ambulance...she needs-" Lena had mindlessly picked up her phone and called the ambulance. She recited Nayla's information to the professionals endlessly. She made sure to emphasise who was responsible.

Jude, Jude was responsible.

Lena was convinced that it was all his fault. After all he did track Nayla here, somehow.

Lena was there when Nayla opened her eyes after hours of questioning. Lena listened intently as the professionals told her to take her friend home to rest.

They explained that even though her anxiety was getting better, she was very close to having a detrimental relapse.

Much to the surprise of the doctors Lena was shocked, confused. Nayla had never mentioned that she was mentally unstable. Nayla had never mentioned anything about her mental health.

It was clear that Nayla was embarrassed by the situation, she found herself unable to look her best friend in the eye, instead she fiddled with her fingers and counted down to the time when she would be released from the hospital.

As both of the girls exited the hospital, Nayla had walked behind in hope of prolonging the inevitable explanation.

"Luca is coming to pick us up. I know you don't like him, but he's family...your dad's gonna pick you up from mine later"

Nayla simply nodded, she couldn't trust her own voice to successfully deliver what she wanted to say.

"He's here"

Lena didn't even bother to wait for her 'friend' she walked ahead impatiently and sat in the passengers seat of Luca's car. Nayla quickly jumped into the back, silently as ever and not making eye contact with any of the other individuals in the car.

Her type 4 hair had been unflatteringly flattened at the back due to the long duration of time she had spent lying in the hospital bed.

Nayla looked up once during the journey. She was fiddling with her fingers and sweating profusely. She attempted to clear her throat to get the attention of Lena but instead awakened a small beast which happened to be lodged inside her throat.

She instantly began to cough and choke on thin air. To Nayla's surprise Lena didn't turn around, in fact she didn't seem to acknowledge that she was struggling at all. Much to her surprise Luca turned around and offered her a bottle of water.

"You okay?" He turned around slightly, genuinely concerned at Nayla's disheveled physical state.

She simply nodded, looking up to avoid his gaze. Seconds later they accidentally locked eyes in the rear view mirror.

He didn't look away.

He kept staring at her in (but looked at the road long enough to avoid an accident), usually she would stare back but today she was exhausted. She wasn't in the mood for his rubbish.

When they all exited the car Nayla ran to the passengers side, opened the door and hugged her friend greedily. She whispered small phrases that slightly resembled  'sorry' and 'thank you'

She was crying, as well as her best friend, their sorrowful tears fell and fused together. A symbol of their bond.

Luca watched awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck in an embarrassed manner. He was embarrassed about how out of place he looked amongst the two girls display of friendly affectionate.

Lena and Luca's family members watched, bemused by his obvious lack of power in this situation.

The two girls walked towards the small crowd, Nayla was finally looking more like herself and she smiled entrancingly, capturing the attention of all of Luca and Lena's male family members despite her messy appearance.

Nayla mentality slapped herself as she nearly bowed at the rest of the family, she covered this up by pretending to tie her shoe laces. She was wearing crocs, so this was not possible.

Nayla watched way too much anime and was always bowing to Jude's mum out of respect. She had formed a habit out of it.

She noticed everyone looking at her weirdly, specifically Luca. Lena was quick to cover for her friend, giving a very brief and vague explanation for Nayla's sudden appearance at their family house.

She forgot to mention that Nayla was mental.
Bad thought, no more bad thoughts.

Nayla hugged herself awkwardly; still under the lustful gaze of Luca and his male family members.

When she was finally let it, she was led to one of the many guest bedrooms by an entourage of hormonal boys ranging from ages 14-23 who kept smiling at her and giving out random pieces of information to Nayla.

She was finally in the shower, a place where people usually thought.

But today the thoughts were bad, very bad. She thought of Jude and instantly began to feel slightly lightheaded; she rested her palm against the cool tiled surface of the shower wall.

Blinking, breathing, no bad thoughts. Must be calm. She repeated this homemade mantra in her head for a good 5 minutes as she showered and wet her hair.

She would wash it when she got home, she thought, but she liked the feeling of the water on her scalp.

The entered the kitchen were everyone was gathered. She was freshly showered and dressed in her previous attire, her damp afro forming water marks on her t-shirt.