THE SORTING

THE TEARS

The numbing heat of the water only lasted so long. Once I got out and changed into a big sweater and leggings, I felt it again. The pain. The sadness. The worthlessness. I didn't even bother putting my glasses back on. I knew I wasn't getting out of bed anytime soon so why bother? Knocks erupt from my door, but they sounded muffled. I wasn't sure if that was because they were quiet or because my entire being was in sensory overload. How could he do this to me? I fully understood that Dom would have a life before me, that he did things and people before he knew I existed. I didn't fault him for that. I mean I didn't even know that I had a mate or could be apart of this world before I met him. Hell, I barely knew anything about my new place in this world. But it was what he did after he knew I was his. How he talked smooth and made me believe everything so wholeheartedly and then he let her trample all over it, us. He trampled us. He should have told me. He should have told her about me. He should have pushed her away. Why didn't he push her away? I stopped crying a long time ago. The knocking didn't stop though. I tried to focus on it, knowing exactly who it was.

"Vivienne, please," Dom pleaded from the hallway, "Let me explain. Little one, please open the door."

I rolled over, ignoring his empty pleas. I didn't have the energy to deal with anyone, especially him. I found myself drifting in and out of consciousness, the sound of Dom knocking and begging lulling me to sleep.

~

More knocking woke me up. I wanted to ignore it. I wanted to fall back into the blackness that offered me peace, even if it was temporary. The knocks continued, soft and cautionary, asking to be answered. A women's voice followed them now, and I froze for a moment. A certain girl's face popped into my head and all the feelings came back at once. I wanted to weep and wallow in how my life turned out. Why didn't he push her away? The door emitted more noise and I decided I couldn't hide forever. I was relieved that it wasn't Dom though. I don't think I could face him right now. I was too fragile, too broken. I pulled myself out of my bed, grabbing my glasses, cleaning them before putting them on. I opened the door slowly afraid all my problems would rush in if I opened it too far. In the hallway stood a young, blonde women and she was the epitome of beauty. Was everyone in this place so pretty? The door was only opened a crack so I could only really see her face, but boy, was it perfect. Her blonde hair was cut to her shoulders and wavy, her side swept bangs framing her face perfectly. She had green eyes that calmed me in a way. They reminded me of Dom. Why didn't he push her away? She smiled at me and extended her hand in my direction before she made her introduction, pulling me from my thoughts. I thanked her in my head for the distraction, needing more than anything to forget.

"Hi. I'm Hunter," she said, as if she couldn't get it out of her mouth fast enough. I smiled slightly at how giddy she was, part of me wishing I could be that happy and carefree.

"Hi. I'm Vivienne," I responded, a little less enthusiastically. From where I was standing, I couldn't shake her hand. She dropped her arm, the rejection not seeming to faze her.

"Mind if I come in? I figured you could use someone to talk to. And don't worry. Everything stays in there," she pointed to my room as she spoke. Without saying anything verbally, it seemed she could tell I needed someone in my corner. It was probably the dejected look in my eyes. I moved back, opening the door further, allowing her to enter. I know I just met her, but I felt like I could trust her. She had this light about her that I really needed to experience. She walked around the room, taking in the décor.

"Wow, this looks really nice," she said. I shrugged. It wasn't like I decorated it. It was just a room. I had my head low while I walked past her, finding my original spot on the bed. Hunter sat down across from me on the bed, pretzel style, clasping her hands together. She stared at me for a moment, seeming like she was unsure of what to say. I took this moment of silence to take in her whole appearance. She wore a white cotton t-shirt crop top that she paired with baggy camo pants and white sneakers. She was obviously very toned which would have made me insecure if I weren't too in my own head about Dom. I have no idea when he left from my door while I was sleeping but I'm not going to lie. The fact that he left at all left a melancholy taste in my mouth. It seemed that Hunter could tell that my mood had suddenly shifted. She reached her hand out and touched my left hand before she spoke.

"You okay?"

That was all it took to make my eyes start tearing up. My throat closed slightly, and I knew that I was about to start sobbing. Normally, I would swallow my sadness because I did not like to show my emotions in front of people. Back home, there was no time to be sad and if you were, no one cared. Everyone was sad. But sitting here, with Hunter, I knew she wouldn't judge me or make me feel I needed to hide my true emotions.

"Why didn't he push her away?" I whimpered. My shoulders slumped and my body pretty much gave out. Hunter pushed herself forward, towards me, wrapping her arms around me. She let me cry for a few minutes before she said anything.

"I'm going to kill him."