I Can't Do This Anymore

Chapter 5

Crystal's POV

After I get out of the shower I dry off wrapping the towels around me. I unlock and open the door peaking my head out to see Bryce sitting on his bed.

"Bryce, can I have some pj's?" I ask him causing him to laugh.

He gets up and goes to his closet grabbing a hoodie. I stop him before he can hand it to me.

"Actually, can I have a tee shirt?" I ask him, bring a shocked look on his face.

I don't blame him. Shocked me too because I've always worn long sleeves, not wanting to show my arms or anything.

"Sure, here take these" he tells me handing me a pair of sweatpants. He puts the hoodie back and grabs a tee shirt.

"Are you sure?" He asks me. Concern and worry written all over his face.

Do I really wanna wear a tee shirt? I mean obviously they've seen my arms, but they haven't seen much of the cuts and scars. I've managed to hide them when just wearing a towel around them. Fuck it. I'll wear it. They don't know about the one on my stomach. Hopefully I can keep it that way.

"Yes, I'm sure" I say taking it from him.

Walking back into the bathroom I shut and lock the door back and drop the towel.

Slipping the pants on, I tie them up so they'll fit me and slip the tee shirt on.

I look in the mirror and frown.

Scars

Cuts

Bruises

Burn marks from cigarettes and joints

A tear slips out of my eyes as I continue looking at myself in the mirror.

A knock on the door brings me out of my horrid thoughts and I'm thankful for it.

"Hey, Chrys, you okay?" I hear Bryce say from behind the door.

I unlock it and tell him he can come in. I'm sitting on the floor crying.

His arms hesitantly go around me afraid I'll break to flinch. I flinched a bit and he backed up a bit before seeing the "it's okay" in my face and wrapping his arms around me.

Bryce's POV

She's sitting on the bathroom floor with my arms around her as she continues sobbing. The crying soon stops a bit and I look at her. She ended up crying herself to sleep.

I take my thumb and wipe away the tears that's on her cheeks and carefully lift her up, holding her in my arms bridal style and take her to my bed.

I go to cover her up when I see her arms and stop.

I pull out my phone and text the guys in a group chat telling them to come to my room.

Be a lot easier than walking around the house finding each guy here.

"What's up Bryce? Everything okay?" Griffin asks as they enter the room.

"Shh, look at Crystal" I tell them putting my finger to my lips.

"Yeah, I see she's asleep. She always needs her rest, now what's up?" Tayler speaks, looking at me.

I roll my eyes at him and motion towards Crystal.

"I know that, but look at her arms" I tell them. A mixed look of hurt, sorrow, and sadness fills their faces and they look at them.

"Holy shit, how did we never see this?" Josh asks running his hand in his hair.

"She always wore long sleeves, and when she was just in a towel, she'd cover herself up the best she could" I mutter out looking at her as she sleeps.

She looks so peaceful as she sleeps. Like she's not even in pain. She looks beaut-

I cut my thought off and think to myself in shock.

I can't be thinking this about her. She's too afraid of guys. I mean yeah I like her but I can't be with her. She barley knows the meaning of love, and care, because of the life she had growing up.

The guys have all left my room and gone to their own. I cover her back up and go to grab me and extra blanket, when I feel her hand wrap around my wrist.

"Where are you going?" I hear her mumble sleepily.

"I'm gonna sleep on the couch. You can take the bed tonight" I tell her giving her hand a small reassuring squeeze.

"But this is your bed though" she tells me mumbling.

"I know, but you're too tired to go all the way down to the couch", I tell her rolling up the blanket Dominican easily walk downstairs with it.

"It'll be fine,I promise. Just let some sleep. I'll be downstairs if you need me" I tell her giving her hand one last squeeze.

"Hey Bryce?" She calls out to me as I begin to walk out the door.

"What's up?" I tell her turning on my heel, facing her.

"C-can you stay with me until I fall asleep again?" She stutters out.

"Of course I can" I speak to her softly as I set the pillow and blanket down and get into the bed beside her. I cover us both up making sure she's comfy before I get my own self comfortable.

Once she's comfy I slightly rearrange myself.

She can tell I hesitated putting my arm over her when she stutters out an "it's okay"

I put my arm around her as she nuzzles her head into my neck.

I definitely could get used to this. Except I can't.

I run my fingers through her hair gently as she lays there trying to fall back asleep.

"Please don't leave me. None of you guys. I'm sorta getting more comfortable around you guys" she mumbles out against my neck.

"I won't ever leave you. None of us will. I promise you that" I tell her resting my chin on her head as I continue to play with her hair.

It's silent for a bit longer until I can tell she's asleep by her soft snores.

I feel myself drift off to sleep with Crystal still in my arms.

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