The Girl Next Door

~41~

"You cold?" I ask, reaching for the heavy throw blanket.

She nods, covering her chest that's barely covered by her sports bra. She sits up and tries to get closer to the fire for warmth.

I set the blanket over her shoulders and wrap it around her. She pulls the wool tightly to her, but that doesn't help her shivering.

"Get up," I say, softly," I got some clothes for you.

It takes a minute before Robyn brings herself to her feet. I stand up and lead her to the bathroom past the den. After a minute, I look back and see her taking short, shaky steps. I sigh and walk back to her, walking behind her in case she falls again. She mumbles something barely audible to my ears but I shake it off.

Suddenly remembering the clothes, I walk back into the living room and pick up the clothes. At that moment, the tea kettle whistles on the stove. I rush into the kitchen and take a glass cup out of the cabinets. After I set it on the counter, I open the box of tea and take a tea bag out, draping it over the edge of the mug. I pour some water into the cup whilst holding the clothes. Once that's done, I walk back through the kitchen and living room. I see that Robyn isn't in the hallway anymore so I'm guessing that she's found the bathroom. Roman, again guessing, went to bed.

I walk down the short hallway to the bathroom and push the door open. I try to mask the look of surprise on my face when I find Robyn's naked body in front of me. Her arms are hugging her body but I see enough. My eyes drift a little lower and I can see her scar starting from the right side of her stomach and traveling midway to her belly button. My eyes drift a little lower before I blush and push the clothes out in front of me.

"H-here's your clothes," I say, quickly looking away from her caramel body.

"Th-th-thank-ks," she says, shivering as she takes them.

I turn around and start to leave but Robyn pulls my arms.

"C-can ya s-stay, please?" She asks.

Huffing, I turn around and stand in the doorway. Maybe I can finally get some answer as to why she decides to pass out at my doorstep.

I don't dare to look at Robyn's body as she slowly gets dressed.

"Why were you outside at 2 in the morning?" I ask.

It takes a minute before Robyn says a single word," v-voices."

I look up at her, but she looks too embarrassed to look back.

"Voices?" I ask.

She gives me a shaky nod, pulling on Roman's soccer shorts," a lotta voices..."

I stare at her, trying to pinpoint a simple explanation.

"Did you take your medicine?" I ask softly.

I watch as she shakes her head, a sigh coming from her.

"Why n-"

"It doesn't work okay? A-a-and it makes me crazy."

I nod in respect, but still, questions are pegging at my mind.

I look back at Robyn and see her pulling a Barcelona jersey over her head. I glance at her stomach and see her muscles tensing underneath her smooth skin. Probably from the cold.

I can't stop myself from looking at her scar on her stomach. I stare at it, pity washing over me.

"D-don't pity m-m-meh." Robyn says, covering it with the shirt.

"Sorry." I apologize softly.

She quickly replies," don't apologize either."

I frown and ask," well, what can I do?"