Always

7| Aftermath

I wasted absolutely no time sneaking out of Greyson's house and heading home. I was glad to see him fast asleep on the couch. I packed my bags quickly and left around 2 AM.

I didn't even want to know what happened and how I got there. Maybe if I don't know I can pretend it never did. The only problem I had now was Lilith. My parents never minded me sleeping out. They weren't bad parents that didn't care. We just had a really honest relationship and they trusted me.

My little sister however was always worried about me, she never showed it but I knew. She was afraid.I never told her about my ED, but she knew. She was extremely observant and I know she saw the signs. I still tried to hide it as much I possibly could though.

I really don't want to have to tell her that I had a really bad anxiety attack last night. I had one that she walked in on once, and the sight of her more afraid than I was, broke me. I can't tell her. I can't.

I walked in trying to be really quiet so that I didn't wake anyone, they still had a few hours left to sleep. I opened the door to my bedroom only to find Lilith laying on my bed.

"Gosh, you scared me Lil! What the hell are you doing in here!? I shouted in a hushed voice. "Well it doesn't matter let's get you to bed."

"Why do you look so hangover? You look so...drained. Are you okay?" she whispered.

"I just, stayed up pretty late doing a project and fell asleep. I barely got any sleep is all."

"Ali your eyes are pink and droopy from exhaustion, you have dark circles forming under your eyes again, and you look pale and weak. All of that from missing a few hours of sleep?"

"Yep, that's exactly what it is, I need to rest up a little and eat is all. I'm okay. Really." I physically see her deflate, as if she was holding in a breath waiting for my response.

She sighs, "Okay whatever then, I'm going back to bed. Good night."

I sigh too closing my door and checking my phone for the first time in hours.I see few missed calls and texts from Mya and Lil.

I text Mya letting her know that I fell asleep, and that I'll tell her everything later. I'm about to lay down and put everything that happened tonight behind me when I get a message from a vaguely familiar unknown number.

Unknown: Meet me in Mr. King's room at lunch.

My stomach sinks.

***

I was so burned out from last night, I completely forgot about school. If Mya hadn't woken me up, I probably would've never told her about what happened last night.

Mya knew something happened when she saw my face this morning. She didn't mention it of course, knowing I would come around eventually. I got ready like I normally would taking a long hot shower, hoping to wash away everything that happened.

Of course M helped me cover my dark circles with makeup, and made us bagels and coffee for breakfast. Lilith left a little before us but she didn't say bye like she normally would, and that hurt.

***

I never mentioned to Mya that I was meeting Greyson at lunch knowing she wouldn't approve, so I'm grateful that she had an art club meeting today. Telling her would only cause me to hesitate and worry, which I didn't need added to the nervousness that was already reeling off of me.

As I trudge toward Mr King's classroom, I give myself a little pep talk, reminding myself to not let my guard down despite what happened last night.

He hurt you; he's the enemy.

I braced myself for whatever side of Greyson lies ahead. I open the door to find an empty, dimly lit classroom where he's leaning against the wall, stone faced. He was clenching and unclenching his sharp jaw subconsciously. His hands in his pockets, with a chain between his teeth that drops when his head snaps in my direction.

He knows he's hot.

Focus.

"Took our time didn't we partner?" He asks with a smirk on his lips. He's rooted in his spot, so I walk a little closer so we can talk more quietly.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, I did. What do you want?" I say with a twinge of irritation in my voice.

His brows draw together slightly, as he dips his head before he continues. "Are you okay?" he asks a softly. His smirk gone, and the amusement that normally twinkled in his eyes long dissipated, replaced with sincerity.

Is he serious?

Now he cares about how I feel? Newsflash! You're 17 years too late.

I scoff in disbelief. "Like you care." I spit.

He doesn't say anything. He pulls his lips into his mouth forming a thin line before nodding his head slowly, as if he's finally come to terms with something. His soft green eyes glaze over and his hard, cold expression returns.

"Yeah, you're right. How stupid of me to ask." he spits with venom.

He walks straight pass me and out of the classroom without a second glance. Leaving me in the cold dark room with the silence I entered it with.

A/N:

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