Unbreakable

A low whistle comes from the staircase. I whip around to find Aiden grinning like the cat who ate the canary. “That was quite the shouting match you two had there.”

The tears that were in my eyes moments ago are dried by my white hot rage. “What are you still doing here?” I snarl. “Shouldn’t you be reporting back to your commander like a good little soldier?”

Aiden’s grin turns more sinister as he descends the stairs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he purs.

“Oh please,” I snap. “I know you told her about the party,” my feet, powered by my anger, propel me forward even though my brain is screaming at me to run. “You told her but I can’t figure out why. I’ve never been able to figure out why you do the things you do. I spent years trying to come up with reasons why you would hit me, but I still don’t know,” the tears are back and they spill down my cheeks in hot rivulets; bastards. Aiden’s eyes soften, and he moves toward me. Reflexes push me back against the wall in an effort to get away. “I blamed myself for not being good enough for you, but now i blame myself for being stupid enough to stay with you,” The words tumble out of my mouth as fast as they can form in my mind. My knees buckle under the weight of emotions I’ve kept inside for years. Aiden’s strong arms keep me from falling, but a toxic feeling fills my gut. “Don’t touch me,” I sob.

Aiden, not seeming to hear me, guides us both to the floor. “Shh… I’m not going to hurt you,” he breathes.

My insides contract, but for some reason I don’t want anyone but Aiden right now. “You’ve said that before, but that’s never stopped you from hurting me.”

“I know babe, I know,” he coos. His fingers start tracing the scars on my wrist and I press my face into his chest; the repulsion I felt disappears in a heartbeat. “I know I hurt you and I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry Laci. I was so young then and the only relationship I ever saw was my parents. It wasn’t until I moved out that I realized what I’d done. I think about what you must have gone through and it makes me sick. It makes me sick that I did that to you. I’m so sorry.”

He apologized. He’s never apologized like that before. “I need to be alone okay?” I say softly, my voice barely trusts itself enough to speak. “I have a loth to think about.”

Aiden loosens his arms and lets me get up. “Take your time,” he says. His voice is so gentle that it almost makes me forget about our past.

Almost.

A black pit opens up in my chest, threatening to consume me in its dark, unfeeling emptiness. I grip the door handle like a vice grips a woodblock. “Lace,” Aiden says. “I’m happy you’re back.” His words suck the air from my lungs, and make my stomach flutter. I open the door to the cool night air, and hesitate before stepping out.

-----------------------

I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting by the lake. All I know is that my feet are cold and I still haven’t figured out the meaning behind the encounter with Aiden. For the first time in years he showed kindness and remorse. The Aiden on the stairs tonight was the same caring boy I fell in love with long ago.

I ponder this while the cool tide rushes and recedes over my feet. The sun peaks up over the horizon, casting the water and sky in yellow in pink hues. A temporary peace settles over me as I stare into the colors. “I thought I’d find you out here,” Ronnie grunts. He plops down next to me and places his elbows on his knees like me. “Ashley was worried when he came home to an empty bed. He was running around the house like a chicken without a head trying to find you. I saw your grandmonster driving away when I got here so I put two and two together. I told him that you would rather be alone after a fight like that, and that you’d come back to the house in your own time. He wasn’t happy, and he hasn’t gone to bed yet, but he’s not as worried.” I look at him with my peripherals, and the pit in my chest loosens. “So how are you doing after that?”

“I’m okay,” I sigh. My head dinds his shoulder and he pulls me into a comforting embrace. “I know how she’s like so it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to,” I start. “But Aiden came to me aftershe left.” Ronnie tenses next to me but he doesn’t interupt. “He apologized. He apologized for those two years,” I say with tear filled eyes. “That’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to hear him say.”

“Aw Tum…” Ronnie scoffs. “I know you loved him, but what he showed you wasn’t love. I know you’ve been looking for the smallest incline of kindness in him because that’s just who you are, but he hurt you Tum. He took advantage of a sweet, innocent, and naive girl and he scarred her for life. Take it from someone who’s been a jerk to girls who tried to help, trying to fix him will only end badly for you. If you can’t avoid him yourself, do it for me okay?”

I nestle into the crook of his neck, and he holds me tighter. “How did you know that that is exactly what I needed to hear?”

A chuckle vibrates through his chest, and a small smile forms on my lips. “Because I know you Tummy. I know how to take care of you.”

“That you do,” I grin. “That you do.

“Which is why I’m going to sit and watch the sunrise with you instead of telling you to get some well needed sleep.”

“I love you Buttercup,” I smile.

“I love you too Annalyse,” he replies. My name, now filled with love, rings in my ears while my best friend and I watch the sun come up on a brand new day.

Notes

Thanks for reading you guys! <3