Breathe Again

Chapter 1

Wrapping myself in the black, silk sheets, I exited the bedroom and trudged to the kitchen. I might not need food, but when someone's broken your heart it doesn't matter. You will want ice cream. I grabbed a box of Ben&Jerry's that Patch had bought me and fell back down on the sofa. It took me a while to realise it was dead quiet, the only sound being made was it I that made. I looked around; maybe he'd left a note?

When I couldn't see one I wasn't surprised. It was Patch. He was unpredictable, he was secretive and he was … well, he was Patch.

I was watching TV but not really watching, when Patch strolled through the door. He was wearing the usual; dark Levi's, dark t-shirt, black leather jacket and black motorcycle boots.

I felt his eyes on me, but I kept staring at my naked feet. They were a lot less intimidating than his gaze.

I could feel the sofa fall down slightly more on my left, and soon an arm folded around my shoulders and tucked me in.

"When did you become so soft?" I sniffled, drying the tears that had escaped with the back of my hand.

He didn't say anything, just pulled me a tad closer and pressed his lips against my forehead.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. "You did what you had to, I understand."

I did understand. Patch loved Nora, maybe even more than he loved that Angelica girl that was the reason he fell. When Rixon tried to kill her, Patch felt as if he had no other choice.

I just wish Rixon hadn't done what he did. First he dated that Vee-girl, whom I believe is a nagging, annoying bitch to say it truthfully. That annoyed me and drove me to jealousy, and then he had to go and break my heart by trying to kill Patch's girlfriend.

Why did he have to be so stupid and ruin everything?

I knew this tore on Patch as well, Rixon had been his best friend through centuries. But he'd also been my One and Only through centuries. I'd loved him before he fell, and when he did my heart ached for so long. I missed him so bad, but I had no one to lean on either because my stupid brother had fallen as well.

I still remember the day Patch had found out I'd fallen.

I walked silently and calmly down the street, letting the sun shine bright on my face. It was such a beautiful day, and I quickly needed something too cool me down. It wasn't before I'd walked into a tiny café that someone was standing behind me in the queue.

"What are you doing here?" hissed an all too familiar voice in my ear, but I restrained from turning around.

"How are you, brother?" I couldn't keep my lips from forming a happy smile. Feeling his warm breath on my neck again, taking in his masculine scent. He felt like home. It wasn't until then that I realised how much I'd missed him.

"Please, tell me you haven't fallen."

"I wouldn't have been here otherwise, Jev," I said, making sure to keep my voice low like him. I couldn't help my eyes that searched the room for Rixon, and it had been as if Jev had read my mind.

He said, "He's not here."

"Where is he?"

"Not here."

I ordered myself a cool drink, and walked with Jev outside. "You look good."

"And you are avoiding my question."

"Yes, I've fallen. I broke. My two best friends had left me, and I was stuck having Dabria over my shoulder all the time didn't make things easier. I missed you."

Jev dragged the hand down his face before he pulled it through his hair. "It's my fault."

"Are you joking? You did what you wanted to, and I did what I wanted. Just because you're my big brother doesn't mean you can blame yourself for everything I do. I am my own person, thank you very much," I snapped. He had a bad habit of taking the fault for everything I did.

"At least we're back together," I finished with a smile, and slithered my arm around his waist and hugged him.

"Life kinda sucks," I whispered, pushing some strays of hair behind my ear, and I felt Patch's chest move in a silent chuckle. "And now you have a better love life than me. That's never happened before."

Patch just ruffled my hair and whispered, "you'll be okay."

I think it was more to himself than to me, though. I don't believe he'd felt this guilty other than the time he took the blame for my fall.

I kissed his collarbone, letting him know I'd heard him.

My head snapped up as I heard a gentle knock on the door before it creaked open, and in came a girl with dark auburn hair, smokey eyes and legs I would kill for.

She wore jeans and a camisole, appearing innocent.

Nora Grey.

Her eyes fell on my naked body that was only wrapped in the black silk sheets of Patch's bed, and I saw the surprise on her face.

"Do I have to like her?" I whispered to Patch, but just loud enough so she would hear.

"Be polite, Ala."

After stuttering for a moment, Nora pressed out, "Patch?"

"Nora, meet-"

I interrupted him by getting up on my feet and walking towards her. I offered her my hand.

"The name's Alaïs," I said in a smug tone, arching my eyebrows at her.

"I-I'm Nora," she stuttered again, and I knew she was confused and jealous. It was so clear on her whole face.

"I know who you are," I said, my tone cold.

"Oh.."

"You're the reason Rixon's in Hell." I didn't mean for it to come out as a hiss, but it did. I felt Patch's hand on my shoulders, slightly holding me back.

"I told you to be polite, Ala," he whispered in my ear, but I scoffed. "It's not rude to say the truth."

"No, but it is rude to walk around in only bed sheets." He gave my shoulders a light squeeze and I knew he wanted me to go and change.

"Excuse Alaïs, Nora. She likes to walk around with barely any clothes."

I turned to him an arched a challenging brow, before I let go of my sheets. I heard a gasp from Nora, and Patch gave me a hard, black look.

"You know me too well," I mocked, before walking back to his bedroom.

I closed the door behind me, but I could still hear them.

"Why do you have a naked girl here? A naked, highly attractive girl." Nora didn't sound very happy, which pleased me more than it probably should have.

"She wasn't naked before you came," said Patch in a neutral tone, and I smiled as I pulled on my underwear.

I could imagine Nora's rage.

"She was wrapped in your bed sheets!" That sounded a lot like an accusation.

"Thought you trusted me?"

Oh, my sneak of a brother. Always pushing the line as far as he could.

"Not when it comes to naked girls in your apartment!"

I pulled on dark blue jeans and a loose, black tank top.

I put on some mascara and bright red lipstick before I walked back out, and met Nora's furious gaze. "Patch, sweetie, have you seen my new shoes?"

"Think I threw them over there," said Patch, and I gave him a sweet smile.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nora cross her arms. "You threw her shoes behind the sofa? Why would you do that, Patch?"

"Because I took them off?"

I found my 11" high heels behind the sofa, and pulled them on.

I walked back and slithered my arms around Patch's neck and lay my arms over his chest.

"Got any plans?" I asked, leaning my chin on his shoulder.

He turned and looked at me, arching a brow. I kissed his cheek.

"I love you, and I'll see you tonight." I walked past a red-faced Nora, and opened the door. As I walked down the dark corridor only lit up by torches, I heard Nora's rant of accusation grow farther and farther away.