Mason is quiet for a moment.‘Yeah.Well, as long as we play like we usually do, we will knock them dead.Prove to Coach that no matter what, we are always going to be the best on the team.’
We reach the truck and we bump fists.‘Damn right we are.’
The house is quiet when we get home.
There’s a stillness in the air, like no one is home, but I know both girls are.There is usually the TV on or music playing, but it’s quiet.A few candles flicker in the darkness.
‘Seeya tomorrow,’ Mason says, taking the stairs two at a time.
I head up the stairs to my room, and a smile stretches across my face when I see Nora in bed.She’s sitting in her spot, the blankets pulled up, with the lamp on.A book sits in her lap, and that makes me realise why it’s so quiet.Both girls were probably reading.
‘Sorry I’m so late,’ I say to her, fighting off a yawn.‘Coach was on my ass today.I mean, everyone’s ass.I’m fucking wrecked.’I pause, noticing her face.Something is wrong.Slowly, I walk over to the bed and sink down onto it.‘What’s wrong?’
She inhales shakily.‘Something happened while you were out.’
‘What?’I ask in panic, reaching for her hand.
She tells me everything from start to finish.My mouth falls open the more she talks as I try to keep up.
‘Holy shit,’ I breathe.‘That is scary.I’m glad you got out of it okay.I’m sorry I wasn’t there.’
‘It’s fine,’ she says, although she looks anything but fine.‘You have a life too.Mine just seems to be in shambles whenever I go back to that stupid apartment.’
‘At least it’s done now; you don’t have to go back.We can make a report to the police if you want to, or tell the office.Anything to ensure she doesn’t come near you on campus.I can escort you everywhere if it’s necessary.Whatever you want to do.’
‘I love you.’She smiles, sliding her fingers between mine.‘You’re such a wonderful, supportive person.I’m truly so lucky to have met you.’
I capture her face between my hands and kiss her.‘I love you, too.’
Exhaling, she shifts so that she is lying on my chest.I wrap my arms around her, tugging her close.
‘How are you feeling?’I ask softly.
‘I just keep repeating what she said over and over again.When I close my eyes, I see all the photos of me.She must have followed me foryears, and I had no idea.’
‘That is honestly terrifying.You seem to be handling this so much better than me.I would be losing my shit.’
She smiles weakly.‘I’m really scared, Zayden.I don’t feel safe leaving the house.’
Anger spurs inside me at the girl who has done this.So many feelings war inside my chest.Anger, hopelessness, frustration … I pull Nora into me, even though it’s impossible to get any closer.
‘You’re safe with me, Vixen.I promise.’
‘I just feel … stupid,’ she confesses, lower lip trembling.‘I’m embarrassed that I trusted this person.You see warnings for online relationships all the time, how you can’t trust people and the internet is a dangerous place, but he –she,I mean – seemed so genuine.I’m fucking humiliated.’
‘Hey,’ I say gently, shifting her so that she is forced to look at me.‘Don’t do that.Don’t be so hard on yourself.This person lied to you and manipulated you.Their life is sad, pathetic and miserable.You need to remind yourself that you did nothing wrong, you shouldn’t be embarrassed, and remember, you are much better off than them.You have so many good things going for you.It’s okay to feel hurt and betrayed – because you are – but do not let her have this power over you.’
She slowly nods, another tear running down her cheek.
‘Besides, you have me, and I’m going to be here for you no matter what.Okay?’I say, swiping at her tears.
She leans into my hand, her eyes fluttering closed.‘Okay.’
The next morning, I’m up early – for once in my life – and cooking breakfast for everyone.
Nora appears first, showered and dressed for the day.We had woken earlier this morning and spoke for a bit before she fell back to sleep.She looks more like herself than she did last night.Her hair is piled into a messy bun, and she looks beautiful in a shirt tucked into high-waisted shorts, a Taylor Swift cardigan hanging off one shoulder.
I love that she is here with me every night and every morning.It feels like we are doing life together.It might have happened quickly, but I honestly can’t picture my day-to-day life without her being here now.It feels so natural always being together.It’s never felt like this with anyone before.Anya often used to tell me ‘when you know, you know’ and I didn’t understand what she meant by that until now.I could see what she and Mason had, I yearned for something similar, and now I’m pinching myself because I’m finally experiencing the same thing.
