"We're going back to the bar," Nova declares and I shake my head in confusion.

I just explained to Nova everything that's happened, and when I say everything—I mean everything.

From getting drugged in Miami to Jordy leaving me.

"What? You thought I'd sit here and encourage you to keep avoiding your problems?" Nova questions and I purse my lips.

"Or maybe that's what you wanted?" she asks as her dark eyes narrow at me.

I don't need another person telling me the same thing that everyone else has been telling me.

"Nova I'm not avoiding anythingI just—I can't okay?" I ask timidly and she nods as she takes a bite of her pasta.

I sip my water briefly as she enjoys her meal, but the sight of someone eating just makes me want to throw up.

She pushes her empty plate away briefly, "Look you know I'm a psychology major Bri," her soft voice coats the once silent air.

"And well the emotional detachment, social isolation, self-destructive behavior... I mean the list goes on," she sighs as her gentle eyes hold mine.

She doesn't need to diagnose me.

I'm fine.

I shake my head, "No no-"

"It seems you might have PTSD Bri," she interrupts and I feel my face visibly fall as I'm stuck frozen.

I don't have PTSD.

I don't have anything.

I'm fine.

I'm perfectly normal.

I blink quickly, "Nova I'm fine," I say lowly and her head tilts.

"You're in denial," she says firmly and I shake my head.

I'm not in denial—I am fine.

"I know it's hard to admit Bri, but you have PTSD," she adds softly.

"I don't have anythingI told you I'm fine!" I exclaim in irritation and Nova's eyes widen as the few people around us look at me.

She purses her lips, "Well, there's some emotion. Even if it's anger—It's still something," she points out.

I scoff as I rise from the table.

"Bri you can't keep doing this," she advises and I shake my head as I push the chair in.

"Doing what? I already said I'm. fine." I say slowly so she'll hopefully understand.

I exit the restaurant without allowing her another word as the cool fall air surrounds me.

I fucked up everything.

Everything would've been fine if I didn't go out tonight.

If she—If Jordy didn't show up.

Now I'm back at square one with no one.

I make it back to my apartment rather quickly as my intense thoughts scatter my brain.

I promptly head into the cold building before making my way up to my apartment.

I just want to take a long hot shower and sleep this terrible night away.

As I make it into the quiet apartment I feel relief tug at me.

No one's here.

I let out a deep breath as I walk further into the dimly lit apartment.

My eyes widen as my feet freeze in place when my dark eyes land on the scene in front of me.

Eva, Sebastian, and Luca are seated at the counter island while Journee stands across from them.

Their eyes all snap to me as I enter the room causing my brows to furrow.

"Bri," Journee says timidly grabbing my attention.

I shake my head, "I've had a long night—I want to—no. I need to go to sleep,"

"Okay but first let's just talk," Journee suggests softly.

So softly that I feel like I have the words 'fragile' written all over me.

"There's nothing to talk about," I shrug.

"We're just concerned," Eva adds.

"And for the hundredth time—I'm fine," I say lowly as I blankly stare at her.

"No, you aren't Bri," Luca whispers, and I furrow my brows.

I'm fine.

I'm perfectly fine.

"Bri just at least hear us out," Sebastian adds and I shake my head.

"About what? There is nothing to discuss guys," I say with wide eyes.

God, how many times do I have to repeat myself?

"Just come sit down," Journee hums, and I shake my head quickly.

"No-no I'm leaving," I declare just as Journee's bedroom door swings open.

My eyes snap to the figure and I quickly realize it's Jordy.

Of course, she's fucking here.

She's probably the source of this whole confrontation.

Not only did she leave me at my worst—but she dared to fuck up everything I spent weeks building.

"You..." I say in irritation.

She walks closer to me causing me to back away.

"Don't come near me Jordyn," I use her full name in hopes that she'll get the message, but she only keeps walking closer.

"Stop," I warn as I continue to back away from her.

Suddenly my back hits something cold and hard, which I quickly register as a wall.

"Elle," she whispers as her gentle eyes hold mine.

Those familiar hazel eyes.

I shake my head as my breathing increases, "N-no you don't get to call me that,"

She frowns slightly but recovers rather quickly as she continues to grow closer to me.

Her familiar scent surrounds me causing hot tears to prick at my eyes as my face grows hot.

"Get away from me—I-I don't want to talk to you!" I yell as heavy tears cloud my vision before they slide down my hot cheeks.

"You don't mean that," she says lowly before wrapping her arms around me.

I push her back with as much force as I can, but she only holds me tighter.

I let out a loud sob, "Stop-stop let go of me,"

I feel the air become hard to breathe in as I continue to struggle against Jordy.

"I'm fine-okay? I'm fine," I sob as my feet give out.

Jordy continues to hug me as she slides down to the floor with me.

"I'm fine," I cry and Jordy rubs my back gently.

"But you're not okay Bri," she points out softly.

I sob harder into her chest as she holds me tightly.

"You-you left me," I sob as I grip her tighter.

"I was—" I go to say but I only cry harder as a lump forms in my throat.

My breathing becomes erratic as I try to gain my composure.

"I was drugged," I squeak as more tears slide down my hot face.

"And you just abandoned me," I breathe out as more quiet sobs escape my lips.

I grip Jordy harder as my chest begins to tighten in pain. The pain I've been carrying since that awful night.

"It hurts. It hurts—please," I beg as more sobs escape my lips.

"I know-I know. I'm here now. I'm right here baby," her soft voice vibrates through my body and I sob louder as her arms hold me pressed to her warm body.

I cried as hard as I could for as long as I could.

I let out all the built-up emotions that have lingered since that night in Miami.

I held onto Jordy as If she was going to disappear into thin air while she soothed me until I was somewhat calm.

Once I felt like I couldn't possibly cry anymore I pulled away from Jordy.

My heavy puffy eyes lock with her glossy hazel orbs as silence wraps around us.

I sniffle slightly as she continues to rub my back softly.

"I'm sorry," she whispers and I shake my head as I feel more tears flood my vision.

"I'm sorry for not being there for you at your lowest point," she says weakly and I feel my breathing grow shallow.

"I just—I felt like it was all my fault Elle," she admits as her weak voice cracks slightly.

I hold onto her tighter, "I shouldn't have left you alone in the first place—and fuck-I should've come to the bathroom sooner," her guilty voice admits.

"You can't blame yourself," I whisper as my throat burns with dryness.

"No I should've been the one who protected you Brielle," her voice wavers as tears slide down her face.

I feel my stomach drop as my full name rolls off her tongue.

I softly wipe her stray tears as I hold her hazel eyes, "But you did," I say weakly.

And she shakes her head as her lips tremble.

"Yes, you did. You stopped it from going any further," I reassure her weakly and she takes in deep breaths of air.

"You saved me Jordyn," I add lowly and she sniffles.

"But I left you at your lowest and I-"

"But you were clearly going through something as well," I cut her off honestly and she nods briefly before pulling me into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry," she whispers again and I cling to her tighter.

"No, I'm sorry—I'm sorry for leaving so quickly that morning and then completely avoiding you and everything around me," I say as loud as my weak voice can.

"Don't be sorry," she whispers as she pulls back.

Her eyes intently hold mine, "You went through so much. You have nothing to be sorry for okay?"

I nod quickly as I sniffle.

I feel my body grow heavy along with my eyes as the feeling of tiredness overwhelms me.

"Bedtime?" my weak voice asks jokingly and she lets out a gentle laugh.

"Yes—But first food," she points out and I shake my head.

The last thing I can do is eat right now.

"I'm not hung-"

"Bri I know you haven't eaten a proper meal in weeks," she says firmly and I purse my lips.

She sighs with a frown, "Go take a shower while I make some pancakes,"

I reluctantly nod before rising from the cold wood floors as she helps me stand fully.

I notice Journee, Luca, Eva, and Sebastian are all gone before noticing the time displayed on the microwave.

My eyes widen as I realize Jordy and I must've been sitting on the ground for a while.

Jordy makes her way into the kitchen as I head into my bedroom before entering my bathroom.

I take a long hot shower before getting dressed in a pair of underwear and an oversized t-shirt that comes down to my knees.

I brush my wet hair back as I look at my foggy reflection in the mirror.

My eyes are puffy and red as my face remains flushed.

I briefly set my brush down before exiting my bathroom.

I exit my room out into the kitchen as a sweet smell fills my nose.

I notice Jordy standing over the stove as she flips the hot pancakes.

She's still in her green sweatshirt and matching sweatpants from earlier except she's not wearing her coat or snapback.

Her long brown hair is now pulled into a low ponytail while her sleeves are rolled up.

She cuts the stove off before piling the white plate with fluffy blueberry pancakes.

I sit down at the kitchen island as she grabs two forks before she sits down next to me.

We enjoy the plate of pancakes together in comfortable silence before cleaning the kitchen up together.

Once we finish she turns to me, "Now it's time for bedtime," she mimics my words.

I giggle slightly at her statement as she leads me toward my bedroom.

I slide into the soft white bed as the warm blanket wraps around me.

Jordy swiftly slides her sweatshirt and sweatpants off of her toned body—leaving her in black Calvin Klein boxer briefs and a matching sports bra.

She cuts the lights off before joining me in the warm bed.

Her warm body presses to mine as she pulls me into an embrace.

I wrap my arms around her soft neck as I pull her tighter to me.

"I love you," she whispers lowly causing my heart to fill with warmth.

I pull her closer to me, "I love you too," I say softly.

With that, we both fall into a deep sleep as we hold one another like the world is about to end.

Much love,

Weekendlustt