Just Like A Family

CHAPTER 4

Pulling into the driveway you unlock the gate and pull the car in, seeing your roommates cars in the driveway, mentally facepalming yourself because now that's 3 more people you have to explain your immediate departure to. Grabbing your bags from the back you walk up the steps to the second floor. Thankfully the people underneath you moved out months ago otherwise there's no way everyone's cars would fit in the driveway. Your car was a decent size but living with 3 other roommates, all of which drove bigger cars made the driveway seem smaller. Unlocking the door, the apartment seems quiet for once. Normally on a Friday night the girls are gathered around the living room table watching cheesy movies or playing cards. They were your closest friends and it was going to break everyone's hearts to know you're leaving again. Walking down the hallway you see one of the girls' rooms dimly lit. Knocking twice and poking your head in Ophelia's room, she pokes her head out from behind her laptop.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm home.. but I won't be for long. Can we talk?"

"What's going on y/n/n ? And why do you look like you've been crying?" Ophelia says tossing her laptop and headphones to the side.

"....you're leaving again aren't you...."

You nod your head averting your eyes and looking up at the overhead light to stop yourself from crying.

"Did you tell Aaron how you felt & why you were leaving. You can't just leave without saying goodbye you know." She spat, her voice laced with sadness and a hint of anger.

"I can't Lia, it's just better if I go. He'll never find out and it's better that way. I'll leave a letter or something but I can't tell him in person." I say walking out of her room and into my own. My space is very different from the other girls. Ophelia's room is girly. With light pink accents and pictures everywhere. Denver's room is green with one black chalkboard wall used to store her ideas no matter how crazy they might be, & Koda's room was blue filled floor to ceiling with pictures, posters and cutouts of anything and everything. Where as my room was plain. White walls, black furniture, basic & boring. I knew moving in I wouldn't stay very long and didn't want to get attached to my space, by leaving it blank it felt like I could leave at any time.

I threw my bags on the floor pulling open my dresser and closet. There's not much in here, leaving most of my clothes in Jersey I bought dress outfits for work and rotated them out. I feel a few tears roll down my cheeks pulling the small amount of clothes I own out & folding them small enough to fit into my duffle bag.

"Y/n/n you can't just leave again..please..at least try to work it out. If not for him then do it for us. You know that Denvi & Koda wouldn't want you to uproot again. You've moved how many times in your life, isn't it time to stop running?" Ophelia asked with tears streaming down her face.

"Lia, I can't. I'm so sorry. But if I stay I'm getting hurt too. I-I just can't be vulnerable anymore." You cry out sobs wracking your body.

3 knocks at your door interrupt your sob fest and you look up seeing Denver & Koda standing in the doorway looking at the clothes thrown on the bed & your half packed duffle bag and pack.

Great. Just great. Now I'm really gonna be a mess with these two up now.

You think to yourself wiping the tears from your face.

"Are you going somewhere.." Koda asks with a yawn

"Y/n is leaving. Again. She won't tell Aaron how she feels and is running again." Ophelia spat in anger.

You turn back, finishing your first pile of clothes to be folded. Walking to your dresser you pull out the top drawers and work your way down, pulling whatever clothing out and throwing it into the overflowing bag. Moving to your desk you unplug your MacBook and it's charger, stuffing it into your backpack along with your noise cancelling headphones needed for when the girls had their movie nights.

"You can't leave. Why the hell are you running. And what the fuck is that accomplishing y/n?" Denver curses at you in anger. She had known you the longest, since 5th grade. Knowing you meant she knew why you did the things you did but it meant bothering you until you spoke out loud as to why.

"Denvi you know why. He can't know. He's my boss and he's 25 years older than me. I can't just stay there."

Pushing past them you walk down the hall to the shared bathroom. Double sinks and a corner tub, you were definitely doing to miss this. Pulling out your razor, shampoo and other toiletries you walk to the kitchen grabbing a plastic bag to stuff them into so they won't leak everywhere.

"Ophi talk some sense into her. She can't leave." You hear Koda saying to Ophelia as if you weren't in the house with them.

"Guys, you know I can hear you right" I say walking back to my room pushing past them once again.

Denver opens her mouth to say something but a knock at the front door stops her. All 4 of us looked at the clock on the side table knowing that it's 1:15 in the morning and none of us were expecting company. Giving each other that look of confusion, Koda walks to the door drawing the short straw. I continue putting the last of my things in my bags arguing with Denver & Ophelia about me leaving. Picking up my bags slinging one over my shoulder and carrying the other one I start to walk backwards while talking to them following me out into the main area. Turning around to walk to the door I stop in my tracks dropping my bag off my shoulder.

"Aaron Hotchner..what the fuck are you doing in my house?" You state in shock and anger

" I told you not to try and talk me out of this. And as you can tell the girls have been trying to as well for the past two hours and it's not working. So if you'll excuse me I need to go." Pushing past him and out the door.