It Comes In Three's

Chapter 18

Lottie’s POV

I rush my way through the remaining groups that were still continuing to party in Dels… feeling my chest tighten dramatically with each passing second.

I clammer my way up the steps, in a fatal attempt to get as far away from anybody as possible, before I reach a bedroom on the first floor which was thankfully empty… ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

My thoughts are clouded, as my instincts kick in when seeing the en–suite bathroom, as I run inside and slam the door behind me locking it.

I instantly fall down to my knees, as a choked sob leaves my body.

“Why me?!” I cry out in frustration, feeling every emotion crash down on me all at once.

I tried to run from them, and felt that no matter how hard I tried – they always managed to torment me. Alex of all f**king people has now seen my horrifying slashes and no doubt will tell the others!

How will I explain my whole story to Anna? I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet!

She will think I’m deranged! I’ll be too much baggage for the group…

Who seriously wants to hang around with someone like me? And if anybody has the power to kick me out of the group then it’s for sure going to be Alex!

I hold my chest, feeling my breathing increase rapidly as I continue to cry.

If Anna kicks me out after hearing the truth then I might have to go back… but I simply can’t! It’s not an option!

“Lottie?” I hear a heavy knock on the bathroom door, causing me to suck in a gasp.

He’s found me… he’s going to do worse… he already seemed annoyed with me back in the pool for getting upset! I mean what loser can’t swim? He must think I’m the worst thing to ever exist!

I curl into a ball, accepting my fate, before I continue to cry… I knew my new life here was too good to be true!

“Open the door it’s Alex!” The knock comes again, as I tense at his deep masculine tone. If I thought Tommy, Jason and Holden were bad, I would hate to find out what Alex plans to do to me!

I sob loudly again, clutching my skinny knees to my chest as I shake on the floor completely defeated.

–

“I’ll break this door down if you don’t open it!” He warns next, as I scoot myself as far away from the door as possible…

He’s going to break in…

“No…“I cry out, shaking my head as I cry and pray for the ground to open up and swallow me.

“You’ve got three seconds to open it or I swear I’ll break it!” Alex warns, his voice staying steady.

Maybe he’s bluffing… surely he can’t break down the door… he’s trying to trick me!

1…” He begins, as I tense.

“2… I ain’t playing games here Lottie!” He continues, as I shake with fear.

“3! You better move back!” He states, before a large slam is heard against the door causing me to squeal in surprise.

–

He slams into it a second time successfully cracking it – which is when I realise that he very well CAN break this door down…

9–Ok!

Ok please stop! I’ll open it!” He halts suddenly, as I shakily pull myself to stand up – the tears continuing to roll down my cheeks.

I prepare myself for the assault, as I walk towards the bathroom door to open it… maybe if I open it for him he won’t be so mad right?

I click the handle, and in an instant Alex pushes the door open and enters the small room, taking up the remainder of the space.

I hold my hands up, in an attempt to shield my head from any attack he sends my way, as a few moments pass – causing me to grow more anxious by the second.

He hasn’t did anything yet…

“What are you doing?” Alex whispers lowly, as I lower my arms to look up at him – blinking back the tears

“Did you think I was coming in here to hit you?” Alex’s eyes roam over my appearance, his face showing a foreign emotion.

Perhaps it was disgust? Maybe it was sorrow? I wasn’t sure…

Stop it.” He reaches an arm out suddenly as I instantly step back, causing his brows to furrow.

“I’m not here to hurt you!” He tells me firmly, taking another step forward before taking a soft grip of my arms and lowering them.

My heart rate quickens, as I panic more – not knowing what to expect.

Maybe this was part of his plan…

“Please leave me alone!” I choke out a sudden sob, before gasping when he embraces me in a firm hug.

Wait…

I continue to cry, my body tense in his large arms as he hushes me softly.

“I didn’t come up here to hurt you…” He whispers, as I quiver in his hold – continuing to sob.

“You’re ok…” He continues to comfort me, before I feel my weight suddenly being lifted – as he carries me out of the bathroom.

What is he doing…

I ponder nervously, before he drops my weight onto the bed – causing me to instantly panic once again.

‘N–No…” I begin, as he immediately hushes me.

“Relax I’m not going to do anything… I just want you to calm down.” Alex stares into my sore eyes, seeming to mean every word he says, as I still struggle to trust him.

“You can stay up here… nobody saw anything it was only me… I won’t tell.” He speaks warily, as I sniffle – finding my nose to be blocked from all of the crying.

“Wait here.” He states, heading back off into the bathroom before returning with some toilet paper in hand.

“Wipe your nose.” Alex hands me the tissue, as my breathing begins to regulate with each passing moment of being around his calming

tone.

At least he didn’t seem angry with me…

I wipe my nose, before he moves to pull some clothes from a drawer, before also retrieving a small paper bin for me to put the used tissue

1. in.

“Put these on, I won’t look. He hands me the dark clothing, as I stare at it in my hands.

I don’t make a move, causing him to sigh, before he heads towards the bedroom door…

“I’ll wait out here, you have two minutes to get ready then I’ll come back in.” Alex confirms with a nod, as I nod knowing that there wasn’t much room to argue.

With that, he exits the room, causing me to begin pulling the still wet cheer uniform off of my body – replacing it with a very large black t–shirt and comfy black joggers. The joggers hung loosely on my hips and as I was attempting to tighten the ties, Alex re–entered the

room.

“Better?” He questions, locking the door behind him as I tense. I only nod in response – causing him to sigh.

“I’m only locking it so that people don’t bother you up here.” He explains, as I nod slowly again, watching him drag a hand down his face – seeming conflicted.

“Can I hold you?” His question fills the silence next, as he noticeably looks awkward when asking.

“W–What?” I whisper, not quite sure of what his intentions were still…

“Let me hold you… I feel sort of… bad about what happened outside.” His broken sentences come next, as he visibly struggles to find his words, moving towards me again.

“O–Ok.” I reply, unsure of what exactly I had agreed to… my mind still foggy from the alcohol.

He shuffles towards me, as I stiffen up from his close presence, awaiting his next move…

He wraps his large arms around me yet again, as I suck in a sharp breath from the action. He pulls me down so that we are both lying on the bed him on his back and me tucked into his side.

I tense up and wait for his next move, but nothing happens. Instead, his free hand begins to rub comforting circles on my arm as I listen to his steady heart beat – my mind swarming.

“You can get some sleep – I won’t let anything happen to you.” He confirms, as I only nod into his chest.

Out of all of the feelings I had felt in my life… this one was certainly new…