migraine?
“ Did you take her to the Nurse?” I demand, surprised by how possessive my voice sounds.
“ It was just a headache,” Seth says slowly.
“ Yeah, a headache right after she lost consciousness and hit her head!” I snap back at him.
“ I’m fine ,” Naya shouts. A small whimper escapes her lips as she stands up. “I need more coffee.” She grabs her untouched cup and leaves.
Seth eyes me suspiciously as I watch her walk away. “She pulled a muscle last night in her back, so you take it easy on her tonight. You got that?”
I'm only half listening to him as I watch her go past the coffee machines, ditch her mug and disappear out of the cafeteria.
“ If you’ll excuse me, I have a class to get to,” I say, pushing away.
“ Sure,” he says as I stand up. His gentle smile turns lethal.
“ But if you hurt my girl again, you will be sorry.”
Naya
I can't go back to that table. I just can't. If Seth was to even suspect that I was thinking some of the irrational thoughts I was of Etash...well, I don't even want to think about it. The way my back is throbbing now is enough of a warning for me to stay far away from Etash.
I text Seth a message saying that my back hurts and I need to lie down. He'd not only believe that, he'd expect it, and probably feel proud. But I can't go back to my room. I need my sanctuary. I need the stage.
Walking into the complex, I keep my eyes on the floor, not wanting to meet the gaze of any of the other students lingering in the hallways. I rush past the black box stages—I can't go there. That place is tainted now. I need a safe place; a place free of pain.
I head straight for the main stage, worrying offhandedly that it might be in use. Opening the double doors to the theatre I find it dark inside. I close my eyes in relief.
My hand fumbles around the wall until I find the house lights; a warm glow instantly fills the theatre. There is just enough spill from the house lights to illuminate my altar.
Reverently, I make my way down the center aisle and up the side stairs to the stage floor. The lush velvet red curtains are pulled closed leaving only a few feet of stage floor exposed, but I don’t care. I’ll take what I can get.
Running my fingers along the heavy curtain brings instant relief. My breathing slows, my heart finds its normal rhythm, and all the hairs on my arms are laying flat, just as they're supposed to be. I take a deep, healing breath in. This is my little piece of heaven. No one can hurt me here.
Sinking down to the floor carefully, I rub my hands along the floorboards. I yank my hoodie off, flinching as the fabric brushes against my back. I roll it into a ball and shove it under my head and I lie down carefully on my side. I put one arm over my eyes and bend my knees to my chest, forming a tight protective ball.
Etash
Once I get outside, her scent has grown cold. I debate on heading back to her dorm, but my gut tells me she won't be there, not where he could find her. On a hunch, I head for the theatre. Perhaps the stage is her refuge, just as the dance studio is mine.
The closer I get to the theatre, the more confident I feel. She’s in here. Now I just have to find where.
I check the black box first, but find it empty. Of course she’s not here. This place would only remind her of me, and she doesn’t want to think about me. I try the Main Stage next.
Racing up the stairwell to the theatre, my senses come alive. I can already pick up her lavender lotion.
A trickle of light coming from underneath the doors to the theatre suddenly go out, and I smile. She knows I’m here , and she’s trying to hide from me.
I open the door and step inside. The sunlight pours in from behind me into the darkness, but I can’t make her out in the shadows.
“ Naya, I know you’re in here.” She doesn’t answer me. “I can
“ Did you take her to the Nurse?” I demand, surprised by how possessive my voice sounds.
“ It was just a headache,” Seth says slowly.
“ Yeah, a headache right after she lost consciousness and hit her head!” I snap back at him.
“ I’m fine ,” Naya shouts. A small whimper escapes her lips as she stands up. “I need more coffee.” She grabs her untouched cup and leaves.
Seth eyes me suspiciously as I watch her walk away. “She pulled a muscle last night in her back, so you take it easy on her tonight. You got that?”
I'm only half listening to him as I watch her go past the coffee machines, ditch her mug and disappear out of the cafeteria.
“ If you’ll excuse me, I have a class to get to,” I say, pushing away.
“ Sure,” he says as I stand up. His gentle smile turns lethal.
“ But if you hurt my girl again, you will be sorry.”
Naya
I can't go back to that table. I just can't. If Seth was to even suspect that I was thinking some of the irrational thoughts I was of Etash...well, I don't even want to think about it. The way my back is throbbing now is enough of a warning for me to stay far away from Etash.
I text Seth a message saying that my back hurts and I need to lie down. He'd not only believe that, he'd expect it, and probably feel proud. But I can't go back to my room. I need my sanctuary. I need the stage.
Walking into the complex, I keep my eyes on the floor, not wanting to meet the gaze of any of the other students lingering in the hallways. I rush past the black box stages—I can't go there. That place is tainted now. I need a safe place; a place free of pain.
I head straight for the main stage, worrying offhandedly that it might be in use. Opening the double doors to the theatre I find it dark inside. I close my eyes in relief.
My hand fumbles around the wall until I find the house lights; a warm glow instantly fills the theatre. There is just enough spill from the house lights to illuminate my altar.
Reverently, I make my way down the center aisle and up the side stairs to the stage floor. The lush velvet red curtains are pulled closed leaving only a few feet of stage floor exposed, but I don’t care. I’ll take what I can get.
Running my fingers along the heavy curtain brings instant relief. My breathing slows, my heart finds its normal rhythm, and all the hairs on my arms are laying flat, just as they're supposed to be. I take a deep, healing breath in. This is my little piece of heaven. No one can hurt me here.
Sinking down to the floor carefully, I rub my hands along the floorboards. I yank my hoodie off, flinching as the fabric brushes against my back. I roll it into a ball and shove it under my head and I lie down carefully on my side. I put one arm over my eyes and bend my knees to my chest, forming a tight protective ball.
Etash
Once I get outside, her scent has grown cold. I debate on heading back to her dorm, but my gut tells me she won't be there, not where he could find her. On a hunch, I head for the theatre. Perhaps the stage is her refuge, just as the dance studio is mine.
The closer I get to the theatre, the more confident I feel. She’s in here. Now I just have to find where.
I check the black box first, but find it empty. Of course she’s not here. This place would only remind her of me, and she doesn’t want to think about me. I try the Main Stage next.
Racing up the stairwell to the theatre, my senses come alive. I can already pick up her lavender lotion.
A trickle of light coming from underneath the doors to the theatre suddenly go out, and I smile. She knows I’m here , and she’s trying to hide from me.
I open the door and step inside. The sunlight pours in from behind me into the darkness, but I can’t make her out in the shadows.
“ Naya, I know you’re in here.” She doesn’t answer me. “I can
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