I nod against her shoulder even though it feels impossible. My breath stutters, then slows by a fraction as she counts quietly near my ear. Then she orders, "In. Out."
I follow because there's nothing else to do.
After a while, she eases back, keeping one hand on my arm while she looks at my face. Her eyes flick down to my legs, then back up without comment. Her jaw tightens again.
"Let's try to get you off the floor," she suggests.
I don't fight her.
She stands and pulls me up, careful and firm, keeping the blanket clutched tight around me. My legs wobble, but she braces me at the waist, taking my weight without complaint. We move slowly, step by step, until I'm sitting on the couch.
She crouches in front of me again, her hands on my knees through the blanket. She says, "You're naked and shaking."
I laugh, brittle and broken. "I know."
She exhales through her nose and stands again. I watch her move through the room, gathering clothes from my bag, and bringing them back without asking. She holds up my oversized sweater and orders, "Arms."
I comply because arguing takes energy I don't have. The fabric slides over my head, heavy and warm, and my shoulders sag when it settles around me. She helps me into leggings and socks.
Once I'm dressed, she sits beside me and pulls me to her side. My head drops against her shoulder again, my eyes burning, my body still trembling. I say in an empty voice, "He just left. He didn't even look back."
Demi's arm tightens around me. "I'm sorry."
I tilt my head, blinking at her. "How could he tell me he loves me and then leave?"
She furrows her forehead. A mix of anger and pity flares over her.
It breaks something open again. Tears spill over, and I press my face into her sweater, my hands gripping the fabric like it's the only thing keeping me upright. I finally sniffle, stating, "He didn't believe me that I'd take care of my dad."
Understanding and more sympathy morph on her expression. She sighs, muttering, "Our lovely family does it again."
"He didn't give me a chance. He thinks he's going to get killed!" I half-shriek.
She bites her lip.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.
She tilts her head.
"Demi!"
She puts her hands in the air. "It's not right what he did, but he has a point. Your father will kill him if he finds out."
"I said I'll take care of it!"
"Blue—"
"Don't you sit there and act like I can't handle this when you're trying to get with Nikolai!"
"That's different," she claims.
Anger hits me. "Yeah? How?"
"My father would never find out. I told you it's not a forever thing. It's a fun thing."
My insides quiver harder. New tears pop up. "I don't care. I'll get my father to accept Red. He has to. We love each other!" I break down again.
"Aw. Babe." She slings her arms back around me.
