Isis POV

I sat in my room dressed in my regular clothes finally ready to go home while Ashley was finishing up my paperwork with the doctor since today was the day I was being discharged. This past week has been a rollercoaster for me. I've literally been through hell and back. I still don't know where Ashley and I stand and I haven't heard anything from Ben in a long time although it's probably for the best because of my episodes. Those were horrible to go through so I'm glad it don't happen as often as they used to. Tomorrow Ashley leaves to Vancouver to do some recording in the studio which bummed me out. But I guess it means I can be alone for a bit to clear my mind. Ashley came back in holding some papers in his hand.
"Let's take you home now." He said with a smile as he reached his hand out. I grabbed it and he helped me up. We got into his car and drove home. After we got home and everything settled, we sat in the living room.
"So what's going on between us?" I asked cautiously.
"What do you mean?” he asked.
"Is everything okay between us or is this only temporary?" I said.
“Why would it be temporary?” he asked, “You’re home now, or would you prefer going back to Phoenix?”
"No. I wanna stay in LA. And I don't know. Maybe you feel bad for me?" I said, "but where do we stand with our relationship? I don't wanna assume anything."
“I want us back.” he said, “Like we were before everything."
"Really?" I asked, "even after everything that has happened? You said so yourself that you wouldn't want me back. I'm a wreck, you know that by now."
“I know,” he said, “But I want it to just be us, no Cashley, no Scarlette, no Vegas, none of that, so we can work on getting you back to how you were.” I nodded.
"Thank you for being there for me. Even up to now." I said as I hugged him.
“And I will always be there for you.” He said, hugging back, “No matter what.” I heard my phone ring, I looked at it to see Ben calling me, and I answered straight away.
“Hey!” I said, excited to speak to him.
“Hey sexy,” he replied, “How are you? I’ve not spoken to you in ages, well since, before.”
“I’m ok,” I said cutting him off, “Don’t worry, I’m home now, and doing good.”
“By home, I take it you mean at Ashley’s?” He asked.
“Of course,” I said, “He’s taking care of me.” I smiled at Ashley, who had a stern look on his face.
“So that’s what you call it now.” He said, trying to hide the jealousy with humour. I walked out of Ashley’s earshot.
“Ben,” I breathed, “Don’t do this, I just got out, and he and I are doing good now, he was there for me.”
“I wish I could have been there,” he said, “I tried to get off the tour, but the manager wouldn’t let me. According to the guys I’ve been a right pain in the arse, I’m glad to finally hear your voice though.”
“And I’m glad to be out of that place,” I said, “It wasn't fun being tied up to a bed like that.”
“I’m sure I could make it fun.” He laughed.
“What did I just say?” I asked him.
“Um, that you were ok?” I rolled my eyes.
“Get your mind out of the gutter and stop it.” I laughed.
“Never gunna happen.” He said. I could hear the smile in his words. I rolled my eyes again. The line was silent for a while.
“Isis.” He said finally, “I really wish I could be the one to take care of you.” I sighed.
“I know,” I said, “but you know why.”
“I hate this,” He said, I heard a voice in the background. Ben sighed, “I have to go, but if you need anything, I’m only a phone call, or a facebook message away.”
“I know,” I sighed, “I’ll talk to you soon, go be awesome.” He laughed as we hung up. I headed back into the living room, to death stares from Ashley.
“Who was that?” He asked.
“Ben.” I said as I sat down.
“What did he want?” He asked again.
“To make sure I was ok,” I said, “He wanted to catch up, I’ve been incognito lately and he wanted to see if I was ok now that I’m out, and to say that he did try and get some time to come and see me but the tour manager wouldn’t allow it.” Ashley said something under his breath.
“What?” I asked him.
“I wouldn’t have let him see you.” He said louder this time.
“Well if he wants to see me, he’s allowed.” I said, “It’s not like I have a list of people of who I can and can’t see.”
“Well you do now.” He said, “I don’t want you seeing or talking to Ben, it’s his fault you’re like this.” He raised his voice as he stood up.
“No it’s not.” I said, trying to calm him. “It’s Jacob’s fault.”
“Well if Ben hadn’t given you the tickets then you wouldn’t have gone!” He shouted. I felt myself starting to shake as he towered over me. "He doesn't care about you. He's not the one who saved you, I did!" I began to feel like I was back in that basement again with Jacob hovering over me. I pushed myself into the back of the sofa, trying to hide from the memories, and reality. He continued to shout, but the words no longer having any semblance of meaning. I held my hands up in front of my face as I saw that Ashley morphed into Jacob. I screamed and got up, trying to push back the fear. I ran into the bedroom to calm down. I sat on the bed trying to regain normal breathing. I couldn’t hear Ashley anymore. All I could hear was the loud thumping of my pulse in my ears. I saw spots creeping into the edges of my vision. I close my eyes and tried to calm myself. I grabbed onto the sides of the bed beneath me as an anchor.



Gemma’s POV

We headed over to Isis and Ashley’s apartment. I knocked on the door and Ashley let me in, as CC left because he had to go get some stuff done with Bob. I pushed passed him and looked around.
"Um hi?" Ashley said shutting the door behind him, “What are you doing here? I thought you guys were coming later.”
“Meh,” I said, “I was bored, and CC had to go see Bob for something, wait, shouldn’t you be there too? It’s for tomorrow.”
“I’ve just got Isis home, so I was gunna ask CC what I missed later when you two came around.” he replied.
“Oh ok,” I said, “So where is she?” He pointed towards the bedroom. I headed back there and knocked on the closed door.
“Oi open up!" I said, when she didn’t answer I opened the door to see her practically hyperventilating on the bed.
“Isis?” I asked as I slowly went up to her, “You ok?” I sat down beside her, she jumped and looked at me, her eyes filled with fear, until she realised it was me and then she calmed down.
“I’m fine.” she said, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you’re terrified.” I said, “What happened?”
“It’s nothing.” she said, “I just had a moment.”
“That was more than just a moment.” I said, “Spill, the truth this time, I know that look.”
“What look?” she asked.
“The one where you’re too terrified to move.” I said, I put my hand on her back, she flinched, I sighed.
“What did he do?” I asked quietly.
“It’s nothing.” she said, her eyes flicking towards the door.
“This is not what nothing looks like,” I said, ”you’re acting like you did that night in the hospital.”
“I’m fine.” She snapped.
“I know the signs Isis,” I said, “I’ve been there before, and I will not let you get sucked into that like I did, you’ll never get out again.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I’ve not told many people this,” I said, “But I know the signs of abuse, because I was in a relationship a few years ago, where the guy was mentally and emotionally abusive, not all domestic violence is physical, talk to me, what did he do?”
“Nothing,” she said again, “I’m fine, I just had a moment. Stop assuming the worst. Ashley and I are fine.”
“I don’t believe you.” I said, “But for now I won’t push it, but if I see anything I will pull you out of here, no questions asked. I don’t want you to end up like me.” I put my hand on her shoulder and then left. I went out to Ashley.
“What the fuck happened? ” I shouted. “She was practically hyperventilating in there, and where were you? For god sake, Ashley you’re meant to be looking after her! She needs reassurance, she needs your help! Leaving her alone like that is the worst thing you can do.”
“She was fine when she went in there!” He said, trying to defend himself.
“She needs to be watched all the time,” I said, “She might seem okay on the outside, but if you hadn’t guessed she’s good at hiding what she’s feeling, it’s a female thing, we’re good at faking.”
“It’s none of your business what goes on in this apartment!” He said.
“Well it’s a good job I’ve said to CC that I’ll keep an eye on her while you lot are off in Vancouver.” I told him
“Wait,” he said, “She’s coming with me, I’m not leaving her here by herself."
“I’ll be here.” I said, “I can look after her, she needs a routine now.”
"She can have that in Vancouver with me." He said.
"No she can't. What's gonna happen while you're busy in the studio?" I asked crossing my arms.
"Then she will have you to look after her over there while I'm busy." He said.
"It's not the same as her being home." I said.
"I won't leave her again." He said, "I promised to always be there for her"
“By taking her to a strange place that she doesn’t know?” I asked, “She will be a lot safer here than there and you know it!”
"She's going and that's final." He said as he turned to walk towards the room. I followed him and saw him starting to pack his bags for the trip and then I realized he was packing Isis stuff. I looked at Isis who was finally calm but now looked confused.
"What's going on?" She asked Ashley.
"I'm just helping you pack." He said to her, "you're coming with us." He piled her clothes on the bed as she began to fold them and put them in the bag Ashley also handed her.
"Isis you don't have to go if you don't want to." I said as I sat next to her. Ashley shot a glare at me.
"Well.. I don't mind. I would wanna go anyways because I wouldn't want to be away from Ashley." She said.
"You sure?" I asked. She nodded and smiled. "Alright then." I wasn’t convinced.
"You're gonna be there too, right?" She asked me.
"Of course." I said, "Somebody has to keep you company while Ashley is busy recording."
"This is gonna be fun! I can't wait to see you in the studio singing this time!" She said as she smiled at Ashley. Once I saw that Ashley had calmed down, and Isis was more comfortable, I headed home to tell CC about the change of plans, I just hope that they hadn’t already cancelled my ticket.

Notes

Sorry for the late update! Gemma has been slacking because she's too busy being excited about going to see Asking Alexandria in London. In case you guy's haven't heard, they cancelled the gig and are planning on hanging out with all of the ticket holders at the venue! So she gets to hang out with Ben! (I hate her.. Lol) No but really.. I'm really happy for her that she gets to meet them finally and I hope she gets him to make a shout video for me since I've done one for her nearly a year ago. haha (https://instagram.com/p/mvXrbjxORQ/?taken-by=isischaos819 )

Anyways! That is all!
<3, IsisChaos