SOLACE

seventeen

       I just finished taking the medicine that Henry bought for me, he was inside the bathroom taking a shower and I was already lying down in bed with the lights off, only the lights from outside could be seen. 

I covered my whole body with a comforter as I stared at the ceiling, my mind was still busy running through what happened a while ago. It made it hard for me to fall asleep. I tried distracting my thoughts and thought about something else.

I was cut off from my thoughts when the light from the bathroom leaked and his scent spread across the room. He was drying his wet hair with the towel on his shoulders. He was wearing a  white long-sleeved cotton shirt paired with shorts. 

He sits on the edge of the bed on my side and looks at me. "I hate to see you like this, I wish I didn't let you left school, if only I knew," He softly says, a shadow of guilt covered his eyes and I didn't want him to feel that way. I wanted to take away all the guilt he was feeling.

"It's not your fault, Henry," I faintly say, almost like a whisper to myself but just enough for him to hear it. My throat started to ache for a moment.

He licks his lip before looking away, distracted with his own thoughts. 

"Thank you, for everything," I added, he was surprised by my touch when I held his hand.

"It's what you deserve. You don't have to thank me for it," He whispered, as his thumb slowly brushed my hand, I smiled at him.

I was afraid to close my eyes again, my eyes were still wide open and Henry was outside the bedroom, sleeping on the couch because he insisted. I grew more anxious every minute when I was left alone with my thoughts.

I closed my eyes in an attempt to drift into slumber, tears started to pour down from my eyes as her angered eyes flashed back in my mind, her words sending daggers to my head, I felt my throat constricting again. 

I started breathing heavily, sitting up from the bed as my cries grew louder, Henry barged in the room and quickly sat beside me.

He wrapped his arms on my body as he comforted me. He started giving soft rubs on my back as he hummed on my ear. 

"Hey, Adeline. I'm here," He softly whispers. I tried to wipe my tears and calm my voice. I started to grab on his shirt tightly as he tucked the hair on my face behind my ear.

His soft voice and the smell of his scent calmed me after a while. I was still nestled between his arms as we both laid down on the bed. The next thing I knew, my eyes felt drowsy and I was already fast asleep beside him.

       I woke up on the sound of the pan cluttering and the smell of coffee reaching the bedroom, pressed, and folded clothes were also neatly placed beside me. 

I went to the bathroom slowly as I stretched my aching body, I looked in the mirror and traced the dark bruise on my neck. I looked at the clothes Henry gave me and good thing, it was a turtle neck top. 

I took a quick shower and wore the clothes, just a top, and slim fit jeans. I wore the same shoes that I used yesterday and went to the kitchen to greet Henry.

"Good morning," I said hoarsely as I sat on the stool. He laid pancakes on my plate and a small butter above it. 

"Hey, good morning. Does it still hurt?" He asks, his eyes expressing concern.

"A bit," I faintly say, as I started to eat the pancakes and Henry handing me a glass of fresh milk.

"So, Alina's clothes fit you well, huh?" He commented as he looked at the clothes I was wearing.

"Yes, it does. Please tell her I said thanks," I replied with a smile, I appreciated that her sister also helped me in a way without her knowing. 

"Is it a good idea for you to go to school already?" He asks and I looked at him as I bit my lower lip.

"I'm fine, don't worry. I'm used to going to school like this," I replied, my voice was still hoarse and his lips parted hearing what I said. I smiled at him to know I was okay but he wasn't convinced.

He was about to reply but I turned my back on him and brought my plate to the sink and washed it. 

My phone was bombarded with messages from Cali and Franco when I told them yesterday I wasn't at home. I just told them I'll answer their questions at school later.

Henry and I went to school together and he was the one driving. I was getting anxious, it was a foreign feeling going to school and Henry being with me. We literally slept together in one bed.

"Text me when your classes are done, okay? I'll meet you here," He says before we both went out the car and I nodded at him as a response.

I could already see Cali and Franco waiting for me at the entrance. We walked together until we reached the entrance and his friends greeted him. 

"Ady, how are you feeling?" Cali softly says as she held my arm lightly. 

"I should've reported this the first time it happened," Franco hissed as I turned to look at him.

"Don't do that, please," I whispered, as it was all my voice could muster.

"Adeline, this could get far worse! Are you waiting for your own mother to kill you?" He retorted, his brows furrowed in frustration.

"She wouldn't do that, Franco," I mumbled as I looked down and walked the hall.

"Franco, don't get mad at Adeline now. That's not helping her," Cali interrupted.

"So, what's your plan now, Ady?" Franco asks calmly but I could see in his eyes he was still mad.

"I don't know, it never got out of hand like this before," I timidly replied.

"Ady, what she did to you before was already way out of hand," Franco monotonously says as he avoided looking towards me.

"And what about Kai? How is he?" I looked at Franco's surprised look as my lips parted, not knowing what to say.

"What's with Kai?" Franco asked in confusion. Ah fuck, I can just hear Kai's disappointment on me.