My ears pounded while my brain continued to attempt comprehending Vic’s ultimatum. There was no way I could lose him in any way, shape or form. Jaime was an open book and a glance at his face gave him away, he clearly didn’t agree with Vic’s promise to never talk to me again but didn’t verbally dissent. Taking a deep breath, I avoided all of their gazes. What I wanted wasn’t important, I couldn’t risk it just yet.

“I-I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

Vic’s face fell and his shoulders slouched. He snatched out of his brother’s grip adjusted his shirt.

“…So that’s it?” he asked in a monotone.

“I don’t want it to be,” I whimpered.

“I meant what I said,” Vic strongly asserted.

Before I could beg for more time, I was sharply cut off.

“It was Tinsley wasn’t it,” Tony spoke roughly, Jaime letting him go with careful eyes.

I fidgeted.

“Tinsley did this to you right? And seeing as how you refuse to tell us, she must have threatened Vic, Mike and Jaime. Right?”

“And you,” I mumbled defeated. My knees continued to shake, threatening to give way any second.

Tony scoffed, “She’d never think of touching me. Tinsley still loves me.”

“…I’m leaving,” Vic shook his head, walking towards the door.

“Vic wait!--”

“No! I’m tired of waiting! I want to know everything about this and you refuse to tell me. You can’t even do that for me so excuse me for not wanting do anything for you right now! I love you, more than I’d like to admit but I can’t deal with this secret—with any secrets! I’m tired of worrying about whether or not I should believe what you’re saying or what you’re doing when I’m not with you. I’m done!”

And with that he stormed off. Not taking a second to think about it, I darted after him.

“Victor please!”

“Leave me alone!” he screamed back, shooing me away with a swipe of his arm, not slowing down or looking back. I caught up to him and embraced him from behind.

“I need you!”

His body was still, his fists still clenched and face not visible to me. My eyes continued to pour tears down my face and I pressed my head into his back.

“Please I can’t…I can’t do this without you.”

“Do what?” he chocked.

“Be happy.”

There was a long silence. Everything seemed to slow down; the seconds felt like hours and I couldn’t feel the cold nipping at my face. The world stopped spinning and we were no longer in front of the house, we were no longer in front of anything. Both of us were standing between forever and never, we separated black from white, we were the definition of the grey area. Anything could happen and whatever it was would determine who we were to each other. Nothing or everything. The next few decisions and choices defined the way we carried out our lives and I was more aware of this than I’d like to be. The anxiety made my heart race and strengthened my sobs.

“You have to tell me. You have to talk to me. Now.”

My grip on him tightened and I cried harder.

‘Stop leaking, his shirt will be soaked soon.’

My breath caught in my throat.

Phe?!

‘Who else?’ she asked cheekily, the smirk evident in her tone, ‘tell him Nix, you can’t lose him
and you know it.’

Stay. Please.

‘Can’t’ she shrugged frankly, ‘It’s taking all the strength I have with the medication in yoursystem to be in the forefront of your conscience and I can’t hang on much longer. You know what you have to do and how to do it.’

Letting her voice fade I loosened my grip on Vic and he turned to me with red eyes. His face wasn’t stained with tears and his expression concealed but his eyes were clearly hopeful, the very opposite of me.

“I’ll tell you,” I whispered dropping my arms from around him and lowering my eyes to the frosted grass.

Vic caressed my face and I rested my gaze on his relaxed brown orbs.

With a nod of his head, he walked towards the house. I felt the sting of loss in my chest. He didn’t hold me; he didn’t guide me with his touch to the house. He didn’t say anything to reassure me and dissipate my worries. He didn’t make any comforting promises. I genuinely hurt him and he’s thrown up a guard I’ve never seen before. Things won’t be the same…at least not for a while.

Heavy hearted, I trudged after him.

Notes

Hey guys! Its been a little over half a year already?? *Dodges bullets* This is a little short considering it's been so long but I'm standing by my word-- I'm gonna finish this story!(: Whether there are people that still read it or not, I'd like to check that little box that says completed eventually. Thanks for checking out the update and stick with me! I should have enough time to keep this thing going!
Rate, Subscribe, Vote, Comment and all that jazz~

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TOTD: Thoughts on everyone's reaction and Phoenix's decision? Did you miss Phe as much as I did?! Comment!(: <3