The porch light is enough for me to makeout his figure. Heath is walking up the driveway in hurried steps. When he sees me, he rushes over to me and envelopes me in his arms making me stumble back a little.
Getting tucked against his body hits me so hard that the tears start pouring, followed by a sob that cracks open a wound in my chest. Pain flows out freely, as if the walls don’t exist anymore.
“Shh, it’s okay,” he mumbles into my hair. “It’s fine now.”
Footsteps echo behind us and soon a stare burns at the back of my head.
“You arrived quick, boy.” Pride shimmers through Nadina’s voice.
“Thank you for taking care of her,” Heath says, giving me a squeeze.
“I expect she can spend the night with you and you’ll becarefulwith her,” she says with a hint of suspicion.
“I will be,” he tells her. Then rubbing my back he adds, “We should get going.”
Pulling out of his chest, I wipe away my tears and face her.
Gentle, green eyes stare at me.
“Thank you so much for letting me stay and for the tea. Is there any way I can repay you?”
She stares at me for a long moment, as if she wants to say something, but then shakes her head. There’s so much sadness in her eyes. All for me.
Heath grabs my hand and tugs me towards his car. Before slipping inside, I look at my house and find all the lights on. My parents are awake but they didn’t come out to get me. Their indifference kills a part of me.
As soon as we leave my neighborhood, he pulls the car over to the side of the road.
Tension coils through the thick air of the car, making the small space feel congested.
An immediate burst of tingles scatter like wildfire beneath my skin. With every pulse of panic they spread faster, leaving me breathless and on edge. I’m so close to having a panic attack.
Never mind. It’s already here.
Air escapes my lungs as though the weight of what happened is finally sliding back on me.
The whole scene plays round in my head. Voices, words and actions flicker like a fast-paced movie that I can’t stop watching.
It was a drunk mistake
I wanted to get rid of you
That’s all you are. A mistake.
Get away from me.
Get out of this house
I can’t deal with you.
A sharp sting spreads through my chest, like getting pricked by a thousand needles at once. The pain is excuriating causing dots to appear in front of my eyes.
“Rose, hey!” Heath’s voice filters through my dilemma.
His hands clamp around my wrists and he starts rubbing soothing circles on the inner side, unfurling heat that sears through my shaky senses.
“I can’t…breathe,” I wheeze out.
“It’s okay. I’ll help you.”
