Chapter 419: 1-3

. . . Kieran POV All night long, after Grant left I continued between pacing, sitting on the couch and my bed. I couldn't understand, he seemed to not mind that Oakley wanted to be around me. In fact I had been the one that sent her away, because - because... Shaking my head I wasn't going to go there. "Kieran," Nona called from outside of my door not entering, startled me. "Can you open the door?" I was stuck I didn't want too, but I had to open it. I didn't know what would happen if I hadn't opened the door. So wiping my face furiously I opened and saw Nona holding a tray, a nice smile on her face, a bit of worry in her eyes as she met mine. Not turning away, she took a step forward, "I thought you'd like some lunch, I know that you missed meals yesterday and this morning," she entered putting the tray on my desk, lifting the cover she revealed a bowl of soup and a sandwich. "You can just bring the tray down when you're finished," Nona smiled softly, "Maybe you should take a nap, you must be exhausted," she said softly before she just left the room, closing the door behind her leaving me standing in my place. Now they were bringing me food? What? Staring at the food, my stomach griped loudly, but I was till hesitant to eat the food she prepared, I didn't think she would hurt me or give me anything that would make me sick, but you couldn't trust people these days. Grant saying that I was abused, and not punished. Chelsea apologizing when clearly I bumped into her. Attending a sleepover. Oakley touching me, and me letting her, and she giving me permission to touch her. Chelsea giving me this room with no strings attached that I could see or have yet to realize. Carla looking for me. But nothing, none of those things were worse than how I felt right now. The ache in my chest that missed Oakley, but that was just what I had to handle, to keep her safe. No one wants to hurt you here Kieran, Nyx said after being silent most of the night and morning which I was thankful I needed to sort the mess out in my head and he was already taking everyone's side but my own. From the corner of my eye, something moved catching my attention, and when I gave it a second look, I saw Chelsea outside with Ava, her daughter. Chasing the little girl around, grabbing her and jumping feet first into the pool going underneath briefly before coming up for air, both with matching identical smiles. Watching them, my heart ached and my troublesome, rebelling mind wondered if I had that type of moment with my - with Carla. Pushing that away, not wanting to dwell on what I didn't remember anyways, I moved from the window, and sat in front of the tray of food. Deconstructing her sandwich, to make sure it was safe, I quickly put it back together, chewing slowly as the mustard - tangy - hit my taste-buds. Closing my eyes, I continued to eat, sighing as that clawing feeling in my belly slowly went away, until the last bite was broken down so slowly, I could've fell asleep sitting in my chair. Not wanting to run into anyone, I put the cover back on the tray and close the window blinds to keep the sun out so I could just rest my eyes for a minute. Crawling under the light bed sheet and thinking for just a moment, of how soft this bed was compared to the cot I slept on for years, and the cave as well. Unsure of the time, when someone was knocking, I tried tuning it out, but again they knocked, "Kieran, it's Grant... you feel up for..." he asked but I was already out before he could even finish that sentence again. Stretching myself out, my bones popped and cracked as made way to leave the bed. Fixing the pillows and sheet to make it look as though I hadn't slept in it at all. The tray where I left it, but oddly the sun was still out, despite feeling like I had slept for much longer than a few minutes. Knowing that I didn't want to hurt Nona's feelings for not eating her soup, I carried the still full bowl to my bathroom, emptying the contents to the toilet, flushing and carrying the tray down. "Good afternoon Kieran," Nona greeted me again in the kitchen, "Oh you brought the tray down, I was just coming to bring you another," she pointed to another tray with her chin. "You were exhausted, I didn't think we should wake you for dinner last night-" my eyes widened and the tray in my hands shook. "I slept through the night?" I blurted out looking at the covered tray wondering if she had put something in the sandwich and I had somehow missed it. Nodding slowly she confirmed the never happened before event, "Grant came to talk to you, but you didn't answer. I remembered that but surely I didn't sleep through the night and morning. "Don't look so worried," she said and instantly I made my face blank, "You were exhausted, I could see your face and we just want you at your best," she said going around until she reached for the tray, heading to the sink to wash my dirty dishes. "You can take the tray of food and eat your lunch here, no one minds, or head back to your room," she said not turning around to face me. And with the option to go to my room, I pick up the new tray and head there. . .