CHAPTER 8: Grieving her

Staring at the floor I lay on the big, huge bed. Unable to breathe. Unable to think. I focused on the grey carpet, the bits of pretzel all around it from the night before. A fat tear rolled down my cheek and I made no attempt to remove it. No attempt at all. The door opened but I didn’t see who it was. It could have been the fight club assassin, but I didn’t care I didn’t feel anything. My mom was so fucking far from perfect I knew that I really did. But she was still my mom. One memory that invaded my bones was when we went to the beach for the first time. We went into the sea to wash our feet after they were all sandy. I pushed Mom in, and she screamed. That was before all the modeling. The drink and the drugs.

“Story,” said a voice loudly. Flicking my eyes up Haze stood with Zack, both of them watching me with concern.

“Story are you okay?” asked Haze coming to sit beside me.

“Yeah,” I managed to whisper.

“You don’t look fine baby” stated Zack kneeling beside me.

“I’m okay,” I cried. The tears then began rolling profusely. “I’m okay,” I repeated sobbing harder. My mind hit a blank as Haze crushed me tightly in his arms. My breathing was now askew as I cried harder into his chest. “Please someone help me,” I muttered hysterically. I was dizzy with emotions this was all too much; it was all my fault. Haze just whispered soothing words as he held me tighter.

I must have dozed off because when I woke up it was dark outside and sitting in the armchair was Forest. He hadn’t noticed I was awake. He was sat on the chair his green eyes focused on the sharp sketches he was doing in his book. His book rested on his black ripped jeans. His white top flowed over them. A loose black curl fell on his forehead, he was so beautiful. He stopped sketching glancing at me.

“You, okay?” he asked, his emerald eyes zooming in on me.

“Yes, can we go for a walk?”

“Of course,” he stated grabbing my coat from the wardrobe. He helped me put it on, then linked his arm to mine. Wandering in the Forest as darkness fell, I glanced at him.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you guys today” I sniffed focusing on the crunch of the leaves under my feet.

“It’s understandable Story. But if I’m honest with you I’ve been busy drawing all day, so I have no idea what the boys have been up to” he said with a smile.

“I love that you skipped today just like me” I grinned and just like that it faded.

“It was nice the fact I could make you smile even for two seconds,” he said stopping us from walking.

“I know you're sad and I know what's happened has destroyed you but I’m here for you, we all are,” he said seriously. I nodded as he brought my hand to his lips then he leaned close and kissed my lips us cold and embracing each other for warmth. He pulled away and then smiled. “That was nice, Storybook."

“My mom called me that,” I whimpered then he wrapped his arms sweetly around me pulling me close to him. Holding my hand and stabilizing me.

“Right let’s go and get warm,” managed Forest his face more pale than usual.

Getting back into my apartment I glanced at the boys sat all together.

“You weren’t here” managed Gage annoyed.

“It’s a free country, I asked Forest to take me for a walk” I murmured hanging my coat up quickly. How dare he.

“Well Forest was under strict instruction to keep you here” hissed Gage. Forest nodded.

“I asked him to take me I couldn’t stand the fact that my mom was killed because of my stupid games with fight club this is on fucking me and all you do is throw absolute bullshit at the one thing that’s made me feel like me you know what leave Gage fucking leave” I screamed furiously. I smashed a glass on the floor in my rage. I stared at it again back to the place I was this morning. Trying to pick the pieces up I cut into my hand accidently. Blood welled on my hand. The crimson color of pain. Tears blurred my vision as I began to cry. Before I knew it Forest had pulled me away. I was now screaming in pain at my anger and heartbreak. When I found that fucker who killed her, they’d pay. And I’d do it. I’d take great fucking pleasure. Vaguely I remembered the door closing and when I looked up, I noticed everyone, but Forest and Zack had gone. Forest pushed me softly into the dimly lit bathroom. He reached carefully onto the top shelf retrieving a first aid kit. He picked me up gently resting me on the sink. Staring down at my hand I stared at the blood now pouring down my arm.

“This might hurt a little” he rasped. Pain etched into his voice, and I couldn’t work out why.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered.

“I’m just cleaning up the cut Story and it hurts a part of me to see you like this” he whispered. My hand was taped up and I rested my head forward pressing my forehead against his. Suddenly he pulled away and I looked at him confused.

“I want you to kiss me Story and not regret it and the state you're in right now you will” he claimed helping me off the sink counter and placing the kit back. Grabbing my good hand gently we entered the kitchen area and the broken glass had been picked up and Zack had gone.

“Stay with me, please,” I cried clutching Forest’s hand tightly. He smiled weakly and nodded. Jumping inside the covers I breathed in heavily. He got in the bed fully clothed, and I watched him. The moonlight shined brightly into the room. I stared at Forest as he turned to face me.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, Story.” He rested his hand on my chin sweetly.

“What made you join fight club?” I quizzed nervously. He blew out a breath and smiled. Maybe I'd now finally get some answers.