It Comes Naturally

22.

All she wanted was silence and to be left to her thoughts, but she didn't have the heart to tell her friends that. Raine gave them fake smiles as they all tried to cheer her up or talk about something other than the dramas of Spencer High. Though much negativity didn't fall in her garden, she still felt embarrassed by the video. The entire school witnessed her being rejected so callously while she stood there like an idiot as he spoke. She cringed, remembering how she reached out to help him of his past pain with words and end up being called a clueless slut in layman's terms. 

Curling up tighter under the thin blanket, she allowed her eyes to touch on each friend lazily, they were all bent on being there for her, but it was one person who thought differently. Erica caught her eye; she watched as the girl gave her a sympathetic smile then whispered in Elijah's ear. He immediately stopped talking to Alec and gave her his full attention. A soft giggle escaped Raine leaving a genuine smile on her lips as she witness their quiet friend take his marching orders from his girlfriend. 

"How about we move this to the Hector house? Tay and Stacia will love to have us. Raine, I'm sure you need some rest. Call us if you need anything, and we will only visit when you wish," Elijah stated in a firm yet friendly voice to the room. Everyone agreed with him immediately, as it always has been. Elijah was the unsaid leader of their ragtag group, Trey, the enforcer; he's the one who made sure whatever Elijah says is carried out. Mischa, Alec, and Harem are the protectors, always making sure the girls were happy and comfortable. 

"Bye, Raine."

"Make sure you get some rest and eat."

"We're here when you want to talk."

Their outgoing greetings brought tears to her eyes; they were real friends, friends who will always be there for her.
Trey was the second to last person to leave. He knelt beside her with a sad smile on his face. "I know you wished for that storybook romance our older siblings had, and some of us are currently living, but I don't want you to give up. There are men out there who will love to be called yours—our sweet-hearted Raine. Don't let this become a wall to others who will come your way," he said softly while tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I'll try," she said in a broken whisper.

"That's our brave sister," he continued. With a kiss on her head and one of his warmest hugs, Trey left her with Erica and Elijah.

"Thank you so much," Raine said, sitting up halfway. Getting used to hugs, Erica gave in to the hug Raine wanted to give her. Elijah grinned in amusement, knowing his girl's predicament. She confessed to being in their group, she received more hugs than she ever received in her growing-up years. Physical show of affection wasn't a thing in most households on the island. It usually stops when you enter primary school. 

"Doh worry bout it. It's jus' something dat you need to handle yuhself," Erica said with a smile.

"You're right. Thanks for everything."

Elijah leaned over and placed a kiss on her head, wishing her good luck in settling her mind, and left promptly with Erica. After a few minutes alone in the rec room, Raine gathered her blanket and phone and trudged up the stairs and back to her room. Lost in thought, she didn't notice her parents sitting at the kitchen table talking in low, worried tones over coffee. All Raine wanted to do was sleep away the tiredness, the embarrassment, and Travis' pleads for her to forgive him. She couldn't believe how strong she was in ignoring him. She hated the desperation and regret in his voice; she understood his distrust, but why couldn't he see that she was honest in everything she did? That she was genuine in all of her endeavors. 
Knowing that she will never understand him nor get over his rejection in ample time, she decided to take that rest her friends insisted she took. Turning off her phone and iPad, she settled under the covers of her bed. Try as she might, Travis' voice was still loud in her ear. Pulling the blanket over her head, she cried softly into her pillow until she fell into that deep sleep she wanted.