Still reeling from the devastating blow I took last night, I can’t bring myself to leave my room. I only went to make myself coffee earlier because I thought everyone would still be asleep. But now that my friends are all up and getting ready for the day, I’m apprehensive about facing them.
There’s a soft tap on my door, and I can’t force the words for whoever it is to enter. The door slowly opens, and then Mila peeks in, and when she sees me standing in the middle of the room, she lets herself in. “Hey,” she whispers as she shuts the door. Then she seems to hesitate. “I’m sorry, Fallon.”
A light frown forms on my forehead.
“I’ve been a shitty friend to you. I should’ve known you weren’t okay.” Mila takes a couple of steps closer to me, and I see the regret on her face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. I’m fine,” I lie, not wanting to upset Mila. She’s been through enough, and the last thing I want is for her to be sucked into my nightmare.
Mila’s gaze locks with mine, and then she shakes her head. “What happened to me was different, but… I felt tainted… ugly.”
I drop my eyes from hers.
“I felt like I’d never be whole again,” Mila continues.
I wrap my arms around my waist as her words echo exactly what I feel.
“But I was wrong.” Mila comes to stand right in front of me. “It’s taking a lot of time, but piece by piece, I’m healing.”
I shake my head and repulsed by myself, I whisper, “You’re stronger than me.”
“No,” Mila shakes her head, and the corner of her mouth lifts, “that’s where you’re wrong. You’re so much stronger than me.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and take a step back from her. I need space to breathe.
“I had Jase. He kept me standing, and you all stood by me, as well.” Mila begins to reach for my arm but stops. “Kao couldn’t be there for you because he got hurt as well, and we were all so worried about his blindness that we… we forgot about you. It’s been a month, and you’re still standing. You did that on your own, and I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I murmur.
“I’m here now, and Jade is waiting so we can go to class. She’ll punch anyone who dares to look at you.”
My eyes dart up to Mila’s, and it has her admitting, “I know how daunting the first couple of weeks can be. People are going to gossip, but don’t listen to them. Their opinions don’t matter.”
Hana and I don’t have the same class schedule because she’s studying law, where I’m doing my MBA. I was worried about walking around the campus by myself. For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of relief, knowing Mila and Jade will be with me.
“How did you deal with people staring and talking?” I ask.
“I didn’t,” Mila confesses. “It almost broke me until I realized they really didn’t matter. Just keep telling yourself that.”
‘Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.’
Mila takes a step closer to me, a tentative smile on her face. “Are we good?”
My lips curve easily as I nod. I close the distance between us, and we hug for a moment. Then Mila whispers, “I love you, and I’m here for you every step of the way.”
It means a lot to me that she came to talk with me.
Together we leave my room and find Jade and Hana waiting in the living room.
“I don’t have class until ten, so I can walk with you,” Hana offers.
“Take the morning off,” I tease her. “I’ll have Mila and Jade with me.”
Jade gets up from the couch. “Just say the word, and I’ll punch anyone for you.” Then she grins at me.
“I might take you up on that,” I joke.
I’m still apprehensive as we walk to the front door, knowing there’s only so much the girls can protect me from.
“Hold up,” I hear Jase call and when he comes to take my bag from me. “We’re sticking with you for the first couple of days.” Hunter comes jogging up the hallway. And just like that, I have an entourage.
Leaving the suite surrounded by my friends helps more than I thought it would. I hide between them, and luckily, no one dares to approach me with Jase and Jade looking like they’re ready to go to war for me.KAOWhen everyone left with Fallon, the frustration rolled back in because she doesn’t want me near her.
“Come on, let’s go,” Noah says.
I let out a sigh as I get up, and we walk out of the suite. Even though I won’t be able to take down notes from the classes, I can sit in on them and listen, which will help a lot. Besides, the sooner I get back into our regular routine, the better for everyone.