The boys brought Z and I back to the bus. Zion was still loopy from getting roofied. I couldn't believe what just happened. I had bruises all over my body.
I changed into pajamas quickly and washed my face.
_
I was sitting in the back room of the bus. "Hey, how you feeling Laila?" Nick sat down next to me. "Like shit. But at the same time, thankful I came out of the bathroom in time to stop that girl." I shook my head.
"You were really brave to fight her, you know." The Italian boy lightly patted my thigh. "She drugged up my boyfriend. I had too." I stared blankly forward.
"I'm really sorry Nick. You shouldn't have to spend your birthday like this." I looked down at the floor. "Hey don't worry about it. I've had plenty of birthdays. As long as you and Z are fine, I'm happy." He pulled me in for a hug.
_
"Z's starting to come back to reality." B came into the room. "I need to see him." I stood up immediately.
I walked to the front living room where Zion had been lying down on the couch. "Hey Caleb." I touched his forearm. "Hey babe." He smiled tiredly.
"Ugh what happened?" He sat up slowly holding his head. "Some girl at the club roofied you. She tried taking you home while I was in the bathroom but I stopped her." I softly squeezed his hand.
"What happened to your face?" His body jolted up and his hand held my cheek. "There was a fight. 1 against 3. I lost obviously." My eyes became watery but no tears came out yet.
"Baby, are you okay? How'd you get into a fight?" He became more worried.
"I'm fine, Z. But the fight started when I got you back. She grabbed my hair and I swung at her. I pushed her to the floor and went crazy. All my anger came out. But her two friends grabbed me off her. Then everyone ganged up on me. I had heels coming in from ever direction. But then Nick and Austin saved me." My voice started to break.
Zion sat silently. He looked very angry at himself. "I was so scared, Caleb. What if I didn't come out of the bathroom in time? What if Nick and Austin didn't stop the fight. Wh- what if-." I couldn't finished my sentence. Tears poured out my eyes. I became a crying mess. I pulled Z in tightly. His arms came around and hugged back.
"I'm so sorry. I'm an idiot. This is all my fault. I should have never went to get another drink. I should've just stood where you left me. Now look what happened. You got hurt. I hate myself. You don't deserve me." Zion was rarely vulnerable. He has only been like this a couple less than a handful of times.
"Caleb...." I put my hand on his shoulder. Tears were streaming down my face. "No. I can't. I'm the worst fucking boyfriend in the world. You don't deserve this. This isn't right. I fucking dick" He removed my hand.
I didn't know what to say. I stood there crying. I felt numb. Z was so angry. I couldn't stop him.
"I'm worthless. I can't even protect my own girlfriend. What kind of man am I?" His voice broke. He dropped to the floor. Small tear droplets came out his eyes. I ran to his side and hugged him.
"Zion. You are worth every part of my life. It's not your fault. You weren't in control of the situation. I'm the one who should be sorry. I left you and you were taken advantage of." I sat there hugging him tightly and sniffling into his hoodie. He rubbed my back soothingly in response.
"It's ok babygirl. Everything is fine now,okay. I'm safe. Your safe. That's all that matters." He kissed my head. "I love you so much." I looked up into his eyes. He caressed my jaw with his thumb. He looked back into my hazel eyes. "I love you too, mamas." He pulled me closer.
And so we sat there together. Taking in every moment we could. I never felt so safe.
We drifted off into deep sleeps. And soon light snores filled the front of the bus.
The End
