- Chapter nine –

When Bryon woke up the next morning, he wasn't gasping for air, head pounding, scrambling away from nightmares like usual. Instead he woke gently, feeling rested for the first time in far too long. Perhaps it was the heavy pain killers Bethany had given him – perhaps it was the company. Regardless, Bryon's was thankful for the much needed night of sleep. Even his leg felt less painfull than the night before.

He smiled to himself as he remembered falling asleep with Bethany right beside him. He also remembered their discussion on the bathroom floor, and chose to block those particular memories out.

Bryon looked around the room and noticed that Bethany was not around, and neither was her belongings. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was well towards midday – no wonder he felt so rested! Recongising that she probably got up hours ago, and whilst he wished she was still her, he could hardly blame her for heading out.

As he climbed off the couch, he noticed his room was tidier than it had been in a long time. Not spotless, but clothes had found their way from the floor to the clothes basket, his blood soaked clothes were drying over the shower in the bathroom, and his phone had been put on charge. Looking at it he sees an unread text from Bethany, from 7.17am.

"You looked pretty tired, so I decided to go for a surf before it gets too hot. Hope your leg is feeling better."
He sat down, looking at those words for a long time. As always, he wished he could find the words to say to her. Eventually, he settled in something short.
"Thanks for your help, Beth"

The moment he hit send, he regretted it. Seriously, he couldn't think of something more than that! For all she has done, that's it! Cursing himself, he threw his phone into the couch beside him and climbed up. Looking around his slightly tider room, he felt inspired to continue her work. He was on the other side of the room sorting sheets when his phone went off announcing a new texts arrival. His heart pounded as he launched himself over the couch to grab his phone back.

"You are alive! Great to hear from you! And its by pleasure Bryon. Always" replied Bethany. He didn't really know what to say, so went a totally different direction.
"So how was the surf?"
"Excellent. I only spent a few hours out there, before it got to hot. Then headed home." Bethany replied, and Bryon didn't have a chance to respond before she sent a follow up message.
"A few of my friends were heading to the shops to buy clothes, but that's really not me."
"You have never been into that much. You love the sea too much!" Bryon was quick to text back, his tidying completely forgotten now she has messaged. Heart was still pounding a little – due to excitement, which was a refreshing change from the stress-induced pounding his heart normally does.
"Yeah, not really me. So I've just been chilling at home doing some research and stuff."
"Oh? Research? What about?" Bryon hit send, then reflected too late that he had way too many question marks in his message.

She didn't reply for a few moments. And then she rang him.

"Hey Beth. How are you?"
"I'm good. So, um, well, to answer your question. You actually."
In classic Bethany style, she drops a question that cuts straight to the core and Bryon's heart rate leaps through the roof. She quickly continued.
"In particular, I've been researching about what you said last night. Like a lot of research. Do you know you have Acute Stress and Post traumatic disorder? I have the noted here – basically it means you have the trauma, then the re-experiencing, exactly like what happened at the beach! And then avoidance, which is text book Bryon!" She took a breath before continuing.

"I'm sorry, but I just – I needed you to realise that this is a thing that happens to a lot of people, for all sorts of reasons. But its pretty major – you shouldn't ignore this or just avoid it!"
"But do we really trust Doctor Google?" Bryon tried to joke it off, but his voice shook a little.
"I'm serious Bryon. This isn't something you should be ashamed or afraid of. It is a pretty major thing – and nothing you should be afraid of. It's totally normal,,,"
"Normal?! This isn't even about me! I've totally lost myself, and it didn't… Bethany, it didn't have anything to do with me. That's not normal."

He could hear her starting to form an argument, and like so many times before the overwhelming need to run took over.
"Look, I've got to go. I'm sorry" and at that, he hung up on Bethany.
But unlike every other time, within moments of hanging up, his breathing started to calm. His need to run, lessened. Bethany shot through a quick text message.

"I'm sorry for pushing you too far."
Followed a moment later by
"Please don't go."

But he didn't want to leave. Not any more. Now he wanted so much more – to be closer to her, to see her. To not run every time things get a little bit hard. So he grabbed his keys, and hobbled to the door. He could hear his parents on the deck, and snuck through the house so they didn't see his hobbling around. Heading straight for his truck, he was on his way to Bethany's place within minutes. As he drove, a few more messages came through. But he didn't check them – he just kept driving.

Bethany must have heard his truck pull up, because he had barely closed the door when she was by his side and giving him a massive hug. When she pulled back, her face look relieved. And as she started to open her mouth, he jumped in with words first.
"I'm sorry to hang up on you. Apparently, I needed to see you in person and couldn't do this over the phone."
He stepped back so he could see her properly, and ran his hands through his hair trying to form all the words correctly. She looked on in curiosity.
"I'm sorry for everything. I keep flipping out, and they you apologies, and then I apologies. We are going in circles. I'm probably driving you crazy."
"You are not driving me crazy," she chuckled. "You're just dealing with a lot of things, and I really want to help you Bryon."
"I know. And I am so grateful for you and everything you have done. I'm going to try and work on my instinct of running away. I just hope you'll be patient with me."

Bethany looped her arm through his, and started walking him around the outside of her house.
"That I can do."

They spent the afternoon lying on the grass at the back of her place, under the shade of the trees with the waves crashing and breeze rolling through. They didn't speak much – Bethany obviously realizing that she could help Bryon more by being around than by talking, as that is not really his forte.

As the sun started to get lower to the horizon, Bethany's phone went off a few times. She sighed when she looked at it.
"Everything okay?" Bryon asked.
"Yeah. It's just this party that happening. I said yes like months ago when Alana said she would go with me, but now she isn't here and I so don't want to go by myself." She looked at him, and then smiled.
"But I have you here – and you could totally go with me!"
"I don't really do party's Beth. Not any more."
"Oh please come along! If you hate it, we can just leave!"
He sighed. She was practically bouncing, so thrilled with her plan to rope him into this. He could hardly say no. Lying back down he closed his eyes.
"Fine. Fine. I'll be there."

"Fantastic! Wait, what are you doing? You can't go to sleep – you need to go home and change!" She started shoving him, pushing him to get up.
"That was never part of the deal!" He groaned. She laughed.
"Yes but you seriously need a shower. You super stink." She climbed up herself and started heading inside. "Its at Alessa's place. Do you know where that is?" "Yeah I do."
"Perfect! Wanna meet me there? I will be getting there around 7pm."
He started hobbling around the outside of her place back to his truck as she climbed the steps to her house.
"Deal. See you soon Bethany."

When he got back in his car, he was annoyed he had to see so many people from school – they always ask so many questions. But he smiled at the thought of Bethany's excitement. And how normal it was to spend the afternoon hanging out with her.

Maybe this party won't be such a bad thing, if she is there too.

Can I just take a moment to say thank you – honestly. Every time I receive a review I just adore it! Life has changed a lot over the last few years, and free time to write is such a rarity. However, I am so honoured that people are still reading and enjoying this story. I also have an outline for the rest of the story. There is an end in sight I swear!

A special thanks to h2olgd, AdventurousLife, Aries24198, Wolfgirl rose who still haven't given up on me, despite it being years since I have updated this! But also, to everyone who said encouraging words. Thank you so much! - Bluie