Maxs PoV
When I got downstairs, Jeb was nowhere to be found. Ella was still curled up on the couch
He left her there.
A flame of anger leapt up within me. He left Ella there, by herself, a complete wreck. My fists clenched, but I managed to push my anger down and go over to Ella.
As soon as she saw me, she reached out to me. I sat down next to her and hugged her close, feeling her tears soak into my shirt and feeling the sting of tears in my own eyes.
"What are we gonna do, Max?" she whimpered, pressing closer to me.
"I don't know, Els." I replied, twisting my hands into the bottom of her shirt.
At that moment, Jeb came back into the room. His face was a bit paler, and if I wasn't mistaken there was red around his eyes.
"It's getting late." he murmured in a flat tone. "Ella, I'll show you to the guest bedroom for tonight. We can discuss things tomorrow."
Things. Yep, plenty of those to discuss.
I trailed behind Jeb and Ella. When we reached my door, I gave Ella a long hug and a reassuring squeeze before going in.
Fang was still standing in the middle of the room, exactly where I left him. As soon as he heard me behind him, he turned around.
"Hows Ella?" he asked, sounding legitimately concerned about her.
"Terrible." How else would she be?
He gave a mournful sigh and walked over to me, arms outstretched. I settled into his embrace, still trying to bite back my tears and still trying not to think about it.
"It's ok to cry, Max." At that, I broke. The tears came pouring down in torrents between heaving gasps as I still attempted to breathe and sob my guts out at the same time. It felt like there was a black hole where my heart should be, an endless void of only pain. At the same time, it also felt like a dagger had been shoved through my chest, and there was also a dull ache in my head. My body felt like it was made of lead. I was drowning, and there was no way to swim up again.
The only thing holding me up was Fang, standing there silently, letting my tears soak his shirt while he stroked my hair.
After what felt like hours, I had finally cried myself dry and hoarse. I coughed slightly and rubbed my aching eyes.
"I'm sorry." I muttered, my voice cracking into a million pieces.
"It's ok." Fang told me with no hesitation. "But you should probably try and get some sleep."
He was right. I was completely and utterly exhausted.
"Will you stay with me, at least until I fall asleep?"
"Of course."
I curled up on my bed, a few stray tears soaking into my pillow. Fang lied down beside me, slipping his arms around me and holding me loosely. His body heat was beating back the chill that was starting to crawl over my heart.
"Go to sleep." he whispered, brushing my hair back from my face. After a few more minutes of his soothing whispers and caresses, I finally dropped into slumber.
Third Person PoV
Fang wasn't planning on staying long, not wanting to get Max in trouble. However, just as he was about to slip out of the bed and leave, Jeb walked into the room.
Jeb knew he was in there. He had expected no less from Fang, actually. So when he walked in and saw the mop of black hair popping up from behind Max, he wasn't shocked.
"Don't bother leaving." he said simply. "You can stay. Only for tonight."
Then he walked out and went to his bedroom to pray.
Maxs PoV
I slept like a rock. No dreams, just black, feeling like it lasted for both moments and eternities. When I finally peeled my eyes open, they were dry and itchy. I rubbed them and sat up. When I did, I felt something fall off of me and turned to see Fang surprisingly still lying next to me. I thought he was going to stay till I fell asleep and then go home. Maybe he just fell asleep by accident. At any rate, I needed to get him up and out before Jeb sees.
I lightly shook his shoulder. Without any further stimulation, he groaned in annoyance and opened his eyes.
"You should get going." I said. I didn't mean for my voice to sound so flat and empty.
"Probably. My parents are probably frothing at the mouth right now." he muttered sleepily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with his fists. He then stood up, pressed a kiss to my temple, and slipped out. I heard the front door shut, and a second later I got a text message from him, telling me to call him if I needed to.
I flopped back onto my bed and curled into the sheets. Maybe if I stayed in bed, I could deny reality. Maybe, if I stayed right here, pretending to sleep, time would freeze, and I wouldn't have to face the day.
If only.
(A/N You guys know the spiel. I'm so sorry, I have so much homework, blah blah blah, no need to repeat myself, I'm not a parrot. I am sorry if I seem short or snappy, my depression has been kicking my ass lately. Hopefully I'll get a chapter up for he's killing you tonight, but no promises.
UNC-
Silence)