Natasha's pov:
I feel something wet on my face. It feels soothing. I think it's a tear droplet. I open my eyes only to be met with six pairs of arctic eyes staring right at me. I'm startled and I shove my body backwards. My head still aches so my hand rushes to my scalp. My breaths get heavier. I wish Flynn was here. He always knew how to calm me down.
"Inhale, and exhale. Inhale, and exhale." Is what he said to me.
My blurry eyes can't see what's infront of me. I hear people talking but I tune them out. I reach down into my blazer pocket to grab out my pocket knife. The last time I was in this state, I was with Damien. I had to defend myself against him back then. I see the six figures staring at me, panting. How did I get here? I unfold the pocketknife so the sharp blade is facing them.
Whoever they are.
My eyes unblur and reveals my six biological brothers. My chest rises to a slower pace. I drop the blade on the hard floor after realising who they are. I close my eyes whilst my headache intensifies. "Princess?" I hear a familiar voice repeat. "Princess can you hear me?" Vincent says again.
"Ye-yes." I manage to make out.
I can hear everyone sigh with relief. I rub my eyes so I would be able to see better. "I'm tired." I established as I clutch my stomach. "C'mere baby." Adrien asks with his arms open. I try my best to stand up. I bring my arm to my mouth whilst I cough. My eyes wander towards the six tall figures infront of me.
I hesitate.
"Where is he?" I ask terrified.
"Where is who?" Leo asked for clarification.
"Damien. Is he here?" I ask not thinking straight.
I haven't said his name out loud in almost a year.
I think it's my PTSD that makes me relive these traumatic events. Even a faint can trigger these thoughts. "No Princess. He isn't." Vincent assures quite confused by what I meant. I let out a long needed sigh of relief.
"Thanks Vince." I thank him whilst clutching my stomach.
"Tash you need to lie down." Chase recommends. "No! I need to be at school. I need to." I try to reason with him. I need to give Nico back his hoodie. "Chase is right." Adrien adds on. "Just a little lie down." I agree still shaken up. "Can Xavier stay with me?" I manage to sniffle.
"Of course." Xavier replies whilst walking me towards the couch.
"Thank you." I respond. I try to make an appreciative smile but my mouth won't obey. Xavier and I take a seat on the grey couch. Chase passes me a fluffy blanket and a spare pillow. I thank him and Adrien comes back in with a glass of water and Ibuprofen. Not this again.
"I already took it yesterday." I decline the medicine.
I gulp down the water while Vincent assures me that it is okay. I take three tablets and swallow with another splash of cold water. Xavier rubs my back whilst Leo and Xander leave. I think Leo is going to drop Xander to school. Xander whispers something into Vincent's ear before he leaves with Leo.
What could that be about?
Vincent, Adrien and Chase stand up whilst Xavier sits on the couch with me. "Did I faint again?" I ask with a worried tone. "Again?" Vincent asks concerned. "It's fine. You guys don't understand." I shrug them off. I really want Flynn to be here. "We might not understand, but we want to." Adrien adds on.
"Do you faint often?" Chase asks me in a calm but curious tone.
"It depends. It can happen when I overwork myself or.." I turn my head towards Xavier. I give him a 'knowing' look. He understands what I mean. "Why didn't you realise?" He asks me softly. "I don't know. I just forget sometimes." I answer honestly. "Can one of you explain what's going on?" Adrien asks curiously.
Xavier turns towards me and I give him a 'go ahead' look.
"Nat hasn't eaten since breakfast on Monday." Xavier confesses.
The whole room drops silent. I look down at my fingers, ashamed. "Is this tr-true Princess?" Vincent stutters in denial. "Yea, it is." I admit quietly whilst still looking down at my palms. "Princess, we talked about this." He reassures gently whilst sitting on the other side of me.
"I know. I just forget sometimes." I use as an excuse.
"We will work on it together alright?" Vincent takes my hand. My eyes switch from my hands to his eyes. "Okay Vince." I respond tiredly. I let out a small yawn. Vincent adds on "Why don't you rest here whilst Adrien goes to make you some warm soup?" I nod to show my compliance.
"We will wake you up when the food is ready okay love?" Chase mentions to me in a soft tone.
"Alright." I muster a smile at him before he places a kiss on my forehead. Chase leaves with Vincent and Adrien. It's just Xavier and me now. "I'm sorry." I admit to him. "I'm sorry I didn't eat earlier." I confess. He leans in to hug me and I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I know you will improve. You did great in the fight though." He changes the subject.
"Thank you." I say. I break off the embrace and ask him "Do you even know why I fought that bitch?" I question him. His eyes open with curiosity. "Spill. Now." He intrigued. "She said that I shouldn't speak to you and Xander again." His jaw drops open but I sense a little smirk working its way on his face.
"She was always a jealous cunt." He scoffs.
"I figured." I add on whilst rolling my eyes at her behaviour. Xavier laughs at my response. I let out a little chuckle but my head is hit with a ringing noise. I put my hand to my head, hoping that it will soothe my migraine. "I think I'll let you sleep." He says. We say our goodbye and he leaves the room.
Just me, myself and I.
I watch a nearby candle's flame as it entrances my attention. Not long after, I find myself dozing off into a sleep.
times passes
I wake up feeling something pushing me. Not something, someone. I open my eyes to reveal Adrien's charming face. "Hey sunshine." I stretch my arms. "Morning Adri." I greet him back.
"I've made you tomato soup. You used to love it as a kid, I still hope you do." He says whilst scratching the back of his head. I assure him "I do, don't worry Adri." I flash him a thoughtful grin.
"Eat up buttercup." He serves the plate in front of me.
I smile at him as he walks off. I look down at the steaming hot soup. I bring the spoon closer towards my mouth and take a big gulp. Mmm. Tasty. I sigh in happiness. The soup was DELICIOUS. Soon after, the bowl is empty and my stomach is full to the brim. It was my first meal since Monday morning.
It was a tasty one too.
My headache is getting better too. The ringing noise has gotten quieter and my head doesn't hurt as much as yesterday. I stand up and my vision doesn't go black. Success! I walk towards my room when I pause right before the staircase. I spot my pocketknife on the ground.
I must've dropped it there from earlier.
I pick it up and place it into my blazer pocket. Wait a minute. I'm still in my school uniform! I go upstairs and into my wardrobe. I change into a white button up crop top and a pair of white joggers. I change from my Prada loafers into my beloved pair of Uggs.
I take out my phone to text Flynn. I want to update him about the whole situation. He must be confused as to why I ain't at school.
Nat: Flynn!
Nat: Flynnnnn
Flynn: Yes Princess?
Nat: I did it again. Infront of ALL my brothers. I'm so embarrassed.
Flynn: Oh Nat. Are you okay love? I should've known it started with the headache.
Nat: I'm alright now. Adrien hooked me up with some soup.
Flynn: Good to hear. How are you feeling?
Nat: If Im being honest, I'm still a bit shaken up. For a moment I thought it was him again.
Flynn: Oh baby.
Flynn: He is far, far away from you. No need to worry.
Nat: I know, but I still replay the scenes in my mind.
Flynn: Don't worry love. I'm always here when you need me. Did you do the inhale, exhale method?
Nat: I did! It helped me calm down again. Thank you.
Flynn: Anytime Princess. Do you need me to come over?
Nat: I'll have to check with my brothers but yea, that would be nice.
Flynn: Alright, text me when you have an answer mk?
Nat: Kk! See you soon.
Flynn: See you Princess.
I chuck my phone back on my bed and make my way towards Vincent's office. I knock three times on the oak before granted access to open the door. "How are you feeling Princess." Vincent asks me.
"Better. I'm feeling better." I reply honestly.
"That's good to hear." He mentions happily.
"I'm also sorry about the whole situation. I know that it must've been hard for you." I admit looking down.
"You did give me a fright, that's for sure." He begins. "I'm just confused. I thought that we were making progress on your dietary intake."
"I did too. I genuinely just forgot to eat." I justify my actions.
"I don't want to force you to eat because I know that it isn't right. I'm saying that, I hope that you will take it as your responsibility to eat. I'm begging you here Princess. I couldn't stand to see you like that." He confesses while staring into my deep blue eyes.
"I'll try harder this time." I suggestively compromise.
"Good. Also please know that you can come to me whenever you're feeling down or having struggles to eat. I was worried sick watching you fall to the ground like that. I don't want it to happen again." Vincent orders in a soft tone.
"I will, no need to fret. I was also hoping that maybe, could Flynn come over?" I ask but he doesn't respond so I try plead again "It will only be for a few hours and he'll leave before dinner." I pause for a moment and look down to my fingers
"I just feel that he understands me. I just want to be comforted by him for the time being. He gets me through tough times, this being one of them. You don't have to say yes but I would like you to." I finalise my pitch.
I look at him this time, his expression unreadable.
"He can if that makes you happy." He says in an undetectable manner.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I squeal in a high pitched voice fillies with excitement. I run over to give him a little hug in his office chair. I bid farewell and leave his office. I make my way towards my room and hop on my bed. I find my phone from earlier and text Flynn again.
Nat: AHHH FLYNN!!
Nat: ITS GOOD NEWS
Flynn: IS IT WHAT I THINK IT IS!?
Nat: YES!! EEK :D
Flynn: I'LL LEAVE DURING BREAK MK?
Nat: YES PERFECT TYYY!
Flynn: LOVE YA
Nat: LOVE U 2!!
I smile at my phone and leave it to charge. Break started in around 15 minutes and it would take 15 minutes for him to come here because there isn't peak-hour traffic. I make my way downstairs and snuggle into the couch with my soft fluffy blanket. I scroll on social media until I hear the doorbell ring.
That could only be one person, Flynn!
Author's pov:
Heya loves! This was a meaningful chapter that dug into Nat's character. Hope you all enjoyed reading. We reached 2k reads! I'm so beyond grateful for each and every one of you. I can't believe it!! :D Thank you all so so much, I am so thankfu for all the support shown.
Opinions on Vincent this chapter?
What do you think of Nat's past experiences with Damien?
Who else wants Adrien to make them food?
Word count: 2100