Chapter 12: Late Night Shouts

Leila's POV

Just as the words escaped Peter's lips, the handle of the door began to jiggle and I pulled away from Peter whose eyes flickered towards the door in confusion.

Blake sauntered into the room and slammed the door shut behind him. He slipped off his shoes and placed his gym bag beside the door. We watched silently as he did so and I found it amusing how he hasn't seen us yet.

Just as I was about to give in and greet him; his head snapped towards us. His eyes lingered on me for a bit and then flickered towards Peter. Very nonchalantly he asked, "you're Peter, right?"

Peter nodded his head frantically and I could feel his muscles tense from beside me. I mean even with one look Blake was intimidating, I don't blame him.

"Glad you're okay," Blake said and Peter nodded his head again.

"But one question, what are you doing here alone, with Leila?" He asked calmly as he folded his arms against his chest. Peter snapped his head towards me and parted his lips. I could see his eyes pleading with me before he diverted them to Blake.

"Well, she's my friend Mr. Kingston. Just wanted to see her after I got discharged, make sure she was okay after everything." Peter turned towards me once again as he rose from the chair, "I should probably get going now, I'll see you later Leila."

I got up after him and enveloped him in a hug. He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me as tightly as he could before pulling away. He nodded his head towards Blake in acknowledgment before rushing out of the room quickly.

Blake slammed the door shut behind him and snapped his head towards me, "miss Hart, with all due respect can you get your pyjamas off and take a bath, I hate seeing you like this."

"Excuse me?" I scoffed in disbelief.

"I hate seeing you sulking around. I know this is hard on you b–"

"No, Blake, you don't know anything. You don't know what I've been through in life and you sure as hell don't know what's going on in my head so I suggest you just piss off!"

He pursed his lips in a thin line and lowered himself down onto his bed. He tilted his head upwards and our eyes interlocked. At that moment I felt guilty for snapping at him. He did go through a traumatizing situation as well so it wasn't fair to snap at him like that.

He could be dead right now. . .for us. To protect us.

"Leila, take a bath, wear something casual, please." He said and I frowned deeply as I stared down at my clothes.

"Why?"

"Just do as I say."

~~~

I walked out of the bathroom and pulled my hair into a messy bun. I Wore something casual like Blake suggested but I leaned more towards the comfy side. At least it'll make me feel like I'm still in bed.

I just had on a pair of grey sweatpants, a white T-shirt and my white sneakers. I tried to bathe myself in my Vanilla perfume but Blake's scent seemed to mask over mine and eventually I gave in as I sauntered into the room.

My eyes immediately found Blake slouched on the sofa dressed in a pair of maroon sweatpants, a black graphic T-shirt and a pair of black and white old school vans.

He peered up from his phone at the sound of me entering and stuffed it into his pocket before pushing himself off the couch. "Where are we going?" I asked as I followed him out of the room. He closed the door behind him and locked it shut.

"For a walk Leila, you need to get that blood flowing." He exclaimed.

We made our way towards the elevator and rode down into the student's lounge in silence.

When we got there we sauntered out of the school and into the chilly night. We started down the dark streets, away from campus and I peered up at the sky that sparkled with stars. We remained in comfortable silence before Blake suddenly broke it.

"You know, my girlfriend and I always use to go out for late-night walks. We would talk about any and everything. When we got into an argument; a walk. We needed to get something off our chest; a walk. We wanted to enjoy the night with one another. . .a walk."

Blake? Girlfriend? Who the hell would have thought?

Blake seems like he prioritizes school work before anyone else. So it's a shocker that he's dating.

"Well, now we're done so. . .ever since then, I haven't taken a nice long stroll at night again," He sighed.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled and he shook his head as he flickered his eyes towards me before smiling, "think about something that makes you upset and just. . .scream." He exclaimed and I frowned deeply as I eyed him peculiarly, "are you high?"

He rolled his eyes and chuckled with me simultaneously. "No, but sometimes it's good to let the anger and frustration off your chest."

He snapped his head from side to side as if checking to see if anyone was approaching us before turning towards me with a smile, "like this." He said and my confusion increased before he suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream.

I slapped my hands over my ears and stared back at him in horror, "are you crazy?!"

He laughed it off and sucked in a harsh breath before screaming once again.

"Like this Leila. Just let it all out like you don't give a damn about anyone looking or hearing. LEt it off your chest, the anger, the annoyance, the frustration. I'm guaranteeing you it feels good." He said and I frowned deeply as I flickered my eyes towards the sky.

My mind drifted off to Reese. How he stood me up countless times and refused to see me. How he said he loved me and would always be there for me.

How he only told me that it's okay when he met me after the shooting. How it feels like he doesn't love me anymore.

It angered me. It angered me how much of a useless boyfriend I had in a moment when I needed him most. When I needed as much as I did when I lost my brother. And now. . .and now he acts like I don't exist?

I sucked in a harsh breath, flickered my eyes shut and screamed at the top of my lungs. "FUCK REESE SOMMERS!" Blake gasped from beside me and I snapped my head towards him as he suddenly burst into a fit of laughter.

I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled in my throat and soon we were both doubled over laughing.

When we finally settled down he smiled softly and nudged me in the shoulder, "how did that feel?"

I sighed deeply and mirrored his smile.

"It felt amazing."