When River awoke, the sun had already risen. It was through that light that she was able to see a bouquet of her favorite flowers, tulips, at the dressing table. As she sat up straight she saw that the room was tidy. The pieces of broken mirrors on the floor were gone. The closet was arranged like before. That did come as a surprise. But she was now too intrigued to just remain sleeping. She hopped off the bed and exited the room slowly. She remembered all the mess she'd made the previous night and all of it was now the opposite. The living room was also tidy, also with another bouquet resting on top of the sound system.
"Good morning.", said Scott from the kitchen.
River's legs unconsciously headed there. She was getting more and more impressed each minute. Scott had whipped up a quick breakfast of what was left in the kitchen, making eggs, toasted bagels and a latte. It was, without a doubt, a perfect morning. Only she had to keep pretending to be in pain and fear, and so no sparkle of joy was detected on her beautiful face.
"You didn't have to do this.", she said, sounding like she's disappointed,
"I know, but I want to.", Scott replied.
"Because you feel guilty?",
"It's not a matter of feeling guilty. I know I am.",
"I know you're not. He could've been a random guy who's been stalking me.",
"Why now? Why now when he knows the waves are rough? He wasn't a random guy. He was sent.",
"Just stop it, Scott. I hate seeing you like this.",
"You think I love seeing you like this? That motherfucker hit you! You could've died and that would've killed me! YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME AND I _", he heaved an exhale, "I don't want you to get hurt in any way, okay?",
It was the first time River had seen Scott that worked up and her being the reason why. It was a foreign feeling. "Okay.", she nodded, "Okay, I'll be careful from now on.",
"Move in with me.", he suggested out of nowhere.
"What?", she was taken aback by it.
"Until we figure this out, I need to know that you're safe.",
"You're now an engaged man _",
"I don't live with Ilham.",
"Doesn't change the fact.",
"Let me protect you, please.",
"I can ask my friends to move in with me. If what you said is true that the guy was sent, I can't be seen this close to you.",
"Don't you dare push me away.",
"I'm not.", she pulled the chair back and sat, "I just want to live.",
"And you will.",
Scott walked to her and put his hands on her shoulders, as soft as he could because he thought she was sore everywhere, "Can your friends move in today?",
"I think so. If they hear that I'm in danger, they'll definitely pack their bags and move in with me instantly.",
"Good. Start making phone calls.",
He left the kitchen to go fix the door lock, and River was over the moon.
…
"Happy Birthday!", all the guests screamed for the birthday girl.
Zabron's mom was overjoyed. Everyone she loved in one room. Only Lessin stood way at the back, pretending to take pictures but actually waiting for a perfect time to escape.
Zabron and Bella were on the frontline, assisting the birthday girl with cutting the cake. So much love was being poured and she only craved a drop of it. If there was a glitch in the timeline, perhaps she'd have been the one standing next to Zabron, holding that knife and grinning from ear to ear.
She was so focused on one scene that she missed Sabrina's entrance. But to Sabrina, Lessin was the very first person she saw after she arrived. Unfortunately, her gaze was locked on something else, and when Sabrina followed the direction of her envy-filled eyes, she finally cracked the code. She felt her pain, especially after she recalled what Lessin shared with her back when they were at school. There was no doubt that he was the main character, either the villain or the protagonist, doubtedly.
"You don't have to stay, you know.", she said after sneaking her way to Lessin's back.
Sabrina's voice had a unique sound to it, naturally. If you heard it once, you'd never forget it. That was why Lessin immediately knew it was her.
"You came?", she asked.
Sabrina stood next to her, "Yeah. Where there's free food, there's me.",
Lessin chuckled, finally shifting her eyes to her.
"Should we get out of here?", Sabrina suggested, giving her a freedom of choice.
Lessin looked at everyone in the room. In no time, her mind was made, "I don't think they'd notice I'm gone.",
"No doubt",
The pair left the house unnoticed. Outside the gate, amongst the many cars, there was a very mid black Jeep. Lessin was surprised when Sabrina unlocked its doors.
"Wait. This is your car?", she asked,
"Bella's. I drive it sometimes.",
"Does she know _",
"No, but she won't care.",
"Won't she _",
"Oh my gosh, Lessin. Let's get out of here.",
Lessin laughed. Guess she was the only coward. Still, they hopped into the car and Sabrina drove away like a pro. It was chill, and good. They both said no word for the first few minutes, only listening to the ongoing playlist which surprisingly was Lessin's taste.
"You also listen to Winona Oak?", finally, she asked, opening the rest of the conversation.
"I love Winona. I'm like the biggest fan.", Sabrina spoke with enthusiasm.
"Shut-up. I'm obsessed with anything she releases.",
"I knew there's a reason I like you.",
Lessin chuckled, "So, where are we going?",
"The beach. What do you think?",
"Anywhere but here.",
"Figured.",
Lessin lowered the window and let the wind blow the negative feelings off of her.
"So, is he the culprit?", Sabrina asked, hoping it wouldn't take a turn.
"Yeah.",
"I knew it.",
"Because you're smart.",
Sabrina shrugged, "I try. What about the other girl? The one he cheated on you with.",
"I never said he cheated.",
"But you said he got someone pregnant. That's cheating. Was she at the party?",
"She was.",
"I didn't see her.",
"Need a hint?",
"Yes.",
"She's wearing a denim dress, in a car, heading to a beach.",
Sabrina's heart nearly stopped. Currently, they were on a highway so she couldn't stop the car. But her whole face said it all.
"It was you?", she asked, throat dry from the shock.
"Yeah.", Lessin chuckled, "I'm the girl he got pregnant.",
"Oh God! I'm really sorry. You know, after you shared that story with me, I really hated them both, unaware that it was you. I'm so sorry, I said terrible things about her.",
"You didn't.",
"No, in my head. I cussed her so much. She was literally my cuss word.",
Lessin laughed. It was the first time she shared that with somebody other than Zabron. It felt good to get it off her chest. Sabrina understood the weight of a secret. She's spent her whole life hiding her truth from everyone she loves. It was weighing her down.
"Does your family know?", she asked,
Lessin shook her head, "No. If my family finds out that I was pregnant _",
"They'll cast you out. Same.", Sabrina stated, "But it's going to eat you up. You should be ready to spend the rest of your life feeling pressed down.",
"Your family doesn't know that you're you?",
"Where do I begin to tell them?",
"But, what if you find someone you want to share the rest of your life with? Aren't you going to let them know?",
"Well", she sighed, "I don't know.",
It was a very blue conversation, but it had to be conversed when they were alone because to some point, they very much understood each other, more than usual at least.
***