Mount Olympus [9]

Jace

I wrap an arm around her and lie back, sighing.

---
Nic

I sigh and wrap my arms around her again, resting my chin on her shoulder, "I am excited. I'm just... My way of showing it's been delayed, I guess. You don't know how happy I am, though, Jacks. A baby. Our baby."

Rayah

I he pulls me down with him and I look at the ceiling, running a hand through my hair.

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Jackie

I nod and wrap my arms around his and look at us in the mirror, not saying anything more as I imagine us with a baby.

Jace

I close my eyes and sigh, thinking about everything that's happened.

---
Nic

I study her before my eyes trail to my wrists again, the memory of my hands being covered in blood flashing across my mind.

Rayah

I wrap my arms around my stomach insecurely and take a deep breath.

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Jackie

I think, the baby kicking again, and sigh before walking into my room again.

Jace

I open my eyes and study her, "What's wrong?"

--
Nic

I swallow and stay where I am for a moment, rolling up my sleeves and getting a full look at the scars. As I scan over old and new, I remember what Jackie had said to me in high school, and I can't help feel that I failed her by making that untrue. 'You won't do it again, I promise.' Well, I did. Several times. Sitting in my dorm. I don't think I'm going back there...

Rayah

I shake my head and look down, "Nothing."

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Jackie

I take a deep breath before taking off my shirt, changing into a tank top and laying in bed as I finish my essay.

Jace

I study her before nodding and looking up at the ceiling, deciding that I'd she doesn't want to tell me she doesn't have to.

---
Nic

I snap out of it and shake my head at myself, making sure all sharp objects are put out of my sight. Once done, I walk out to Jackie and lie beside her, "Should we talk? About school and stuff... Obviously our baby's gonna affect it."

Rayah

I close my eyes, swallowing.

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Jackie

I nod and glance at him, "I think I'm just going to stop once he's born. Family's more important than education at this point."

Jace

I take one of her hands and squeeze it in assurance, glancing at her again.

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Nic

I nod and study the essay she's doing, "I don't think I ought to keep going either. It's too far away, and the distance..."

I hesitate before rolling on my back and rolling up my sleeves to show her without another word.

Rayah

I open my eyes and glance at him, my eyes watering, "I-I don't wanna be alone.

,,,,,
Jackie

I look over his arms and swallow, shaking my head, "Why?"

Jace

I roll on my side and pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her, "We won't be, Rayah. We'll figure things out, talk to the two of them. We won't be alone."

```
Nic

I avoid her gaze, unable to look her in the eyes without feeling somewhat guilty, and swallow, "I don't know. I'd get back to my dorm... frustrated or just tired of everything. I'd wish I was back home, back with you, and then the depression of reality would hit me and I'd find a knife or something. Old habits... I just wanted to feel something else beside the hole in my chest from being away. I just wanted to be human for a minute."

Rayah

I nod and bury my face in his shirt, sniffling.

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Jackie

I swallow and let go of his arms, close to crying, "I can't believe... You did that."

Jace

I rest my chin on the top of her head and run a hand through her hair.

``
Nic

I swallow and glance at her, "J-Jacks... I-I didn't want to call you and worry you 'cause I knew you had that big test the next day and I didn't want to threaten your success with... I didn't want you to worry. You should've though. I know that now. I should've called you instead. I should've just come home, even if just for a second. I'm so freaking sorry, Jackie."

Rayah

I take a deep breath, calming.

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Jackie

I shake my head, backing up, "Was I not clear? In highschool? What's the point of this if all I do is make you hurt yourself?"

Jace

I close my eyes and keep running a hand through her hair, sighing.

``
Nic

I sit up and look at her pleadingly, eyes watery, "J-Jackie, please... It's not you. I-I have problems. It's me. I did that to myself, not you. I chose to move to freaking Boston and suffer, not you. You don't make me hurt myself. You make me feel like there's always another way, that taking a knife isn't the option, that seeing you cures me... even if just for that day. You make me feel loved, and that sure as hell should always be enough for me."