_-_-_Garroth's POV_-_-_

I walked through the front door.

"Katelyn! I'm home!" I called, walking over to the lump on the couch. She sat up and stretched her arms, still in her uniform.

"Hey, how was school?"

"Fine...I brought you your homework, how are you feeling?" I sat next to her and rubbed her shoulder. She sighed a little and leaned against me.

"Like...shit."

I smiled sadly and wrapped my arm around her in a friendly side hug. Then an idea occured, and I smirked.

"Travis was pretty glum...I bet he missed you."

Under my touch, her muscles tensed, and she pushed off of me. Katelyn hurried away and I heard the door of her room slam shut. I blinked in surprise then realised something.

She isn't sick...

I made my way up the stairs and was about to knock on her door, but I heard heavy breathing and decided that she wasn't in any shape to have me ask her a million questions.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I opened one of the cupboards and rose an eyebrow at the amount of cups and plates that were missing. I walked over to the sink to see if they were just dirty, but all I saw was a sink full of broken glass. I rose a brow and saw a little bit of blood on one of the edges of sharp glass.

With a sigh, I carefully cleaned up the glass.

My phone rang, and I paused my task to answer it. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Travis.

"Hello?"

"Hey. Is Katelyn with you?"

"She's in her room, why?"

"She isn't picking up her phone..." He sighed, "can I come over?"

"Look, she's pretty upset about something, and I'm not sure if it's about you or not, but I don't think right now is the best time."

"Is she....crying?"

"I don't know, Travis. But either way, you could be the problem and right now, she needs to be alone."

The other line went silent for a little while, and then Travis took a deep breath.

"Okay..."

"Did something happen between you two?" I questioned. Travis didn't answer, instead he hung up, answering my question with his silence.

I stared at the phone for a little bit before marching up the stairs and knocking on Katelyn's door.

"What happened?" Was all I asked.

"Go away."

"Katelyn, there was a sink full of broken glass, please..."

She didn't answer. I took a deep breath and leaned my forehead on the closed door.

"Look. I know you might not be in condition to speak right now, that's okay. I won't make you talk. Just know I'm here and when you need me, I'll be waiting. I don't know what happened, but I want to help. Travis isn't coming over until the situation is handled and you're ready. I'll be downstairs...I'll bring up some supper later, I love you."

I paused, waiting.

"Love you, too." Came out through the other side, weak but still there.

I knew she wouldn't let me in. She didn't like to be seen as week. She was strong, she would bounce back, but for now, she can hurt in peace.

I walked down the stairs and there was a knock at the door. I looked out the window and glared at Travis who tapped his feet nervously while drumming fingers on his legs. I walked over and opened the door, eyes narrowed in disgust.

"What?" I grunted.

"I need to see Katelyn."

"No."

"But-"

"Look. I'm not sure what is going on, but I can tell you are one of the last few people she wants to see. In fact, she would probably rather Gene over you at the moment. So fuck off."

"I need t-"

"You need to get the hell out of here!" I growled, tightening my grasp on the doorknob to try and take some of my anger out on something other than his face.

"I can fix things, I can fix this. I can fix her, if you would just let me-"

"GET THE FUCK AWAY!" I shouted, ready to murder him.

He cowered a little, looking at me like a dog that had been kicked or scolded. Travis took a step back, seeming to be in some sort of internal conflict. Eventually, he dropped his head.

"I don't want to get you angry..." Too late. "But can you at least tell her I was here? That I need to explain something to her."

"Here's an idea, explain it to me and I'll tell you how she would react."

"I can't...." He let out a breath and shoved his hands in his pockets. "We're friends, you and I, right?"

"I was friends with Katelyn first."

"I know, and you have every right to be upset with me. Just...tell her I was here, please. I'm begging. I can't tell you, she wouldn't want me to."

"Fine. Now get the hell away from here."

I shut the door harshly and turned.

And there she was, standing at the top of the stairs. Her eyes were bloodshot, but unwavering. Her hair was a little knotted, but she didn't see to care. She was done crying for the moment.

Katelyn stepped down the stairs and stood in front of me. I looked down at her, her being shorter by a few inches.

And then, she wrapped her arms around my torso and hid her face in my chest. I smiled and hugged her back.

"Did you see that?"

She nodded, probably not trusting her words.

"Are you ready to talk?"

"Not at the moment." She took a steadying breath and pulled away. A tiny smile pulled at her lips, and she blinked quickly.

"Arlight, then how about you say that we go and get some training in before supper? We can even do weapon practice against each other, I know how you love that." She rolled her eyes playfully and ticked her tongue.

"I'm not eight, you don't have to baby me." I grinned and shrugged.

"I like to think of you as my little sister, so I want you to be happy."

Again, she rolled her eyes, but the tiny smile grew.

She wasn't ready to talk, but at least for now I could help as much as possible.

A/N You know what I love? The fact that I'm in a writing mood for the first time in a long time. I love you all devils, byeeeee.
Song: Fall by Ed Sheeran