Chapter: Laughter That Couldn't Reach
(Jay's POV)
The morning sunlight spilled lazily through my bedroom window, painting the walls in gold. I sat on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around my knees, staring blankly at the floor. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic outside and the soft creaking of the old wooden floors.
Percy and Aries were downstairs, I knew it. I could hear faint voices carrying up the stairwell—laughs, whispers, the clinking of mugs. They were plotting something, I was sure of it. They always tried to fix everything by making me laugh, and I wasn't in the mood. Not today.
A knock at the door.
"Jay? You up?" Percy's voice carried through the room.
I didn't respond.
"Come on, sis, don't sulk all day," Aries added, trying to make his tone lighter than it felt.
I stayed silent, hugging my legs tighter, wishing somehow that I could disappear, wishing that the memories of Keif and everything that had happened—the lies, the betrayal, the tears—could just evaporate.
A minute later, the door opened slowly. Percy peeked in, holding a tray with some juice and toast. "We thought you might be hungry," he said gently. "Come on, at least take a bite."
I shook my head. "I'm not hungry."
Aries appeared behind him, leaning casually against the doorframe with a crooked grin. "You never eat when you're upset. That's a classic Jay move."
I looked away. "I'm not upset," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Uh-huh," Percy said knowingly, setting the tray down beside me. "Sure. And the sky is green, right?"
I let out a short, humorless laugh. "Stop trying."
Aries chuckled. "I think it's working. She's laughing. Tiny, sarcastic, but it counts."
Percy shot him a look. "Don't tempt fate. She's fragile right now."
I glared at both of them. "You don't get it."
Aries crouched down beside the bed. "Then help us get it, Jay. Tell us why it hurts so much."
I shook my head violently. "No! You don't get it. None of you do!" My voice cracked, the dam holding my emotions back finally breaking.
Percy immediately sat on the edge of the bed, his hand on mine, gentle but firm. "Hey, hey… look at me. You're not alone, Jay. You never were. You're safe here."
Tears stung my eyes. I tried to blink them away, tried to make myself strong, but they rolled down anyway. My body shook as I let out a sob, and suddenly everything came crashing down—the memory of Keif's betrayal, the lies, the wedding paused, the weight of having to pretend I was okay.
Aries wrapped his arm around my shoulders, Percy on the other side holding my hand. "It's okay," Percy whispered. "Let it out. You don't have to hide it from us."
I buried my face into Percy's shoulder, hot tears soaking through the fabric of his shirt. "I… I trusted him. I… I thought he loved me… I—"
Aries tightened his hug. "We know, Jay. We know exactly how much you trusted him. And it hurts. And it's unfair. But you're still here. You're still you. And we're not going anywhere."
I tried to stop sobbing, tried to push back against their concern, but I couldn't. I had held it all in for so long—Keif's words, the slaps, the fake love, the heartbreak—and now it all poured out.
Percy gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "You're strong, Jay. Stronger than anyone knows. But being strong doesn't mean you can't cry. Let the tears out. It doesn't make you weak."
Aries added softly, "And we'll laugh again soon. I promise. But for now… it's okay to feel broken. It's okay to let it out. We've got you."
I clutched them both, letting the sobs take over, and for the first time in days, I didn't care about the past. I didn't care about Keif, or the lies, or the wedding, or the plans. I only cared about this moment—being held by the people who didn't lie to me, who didn't betray me, who actually cared.
Minutes passed. Hours, maybe. The room was silent except for my quiet sobs and the soft murmurs of Percy and Aries trying to soothe me. Their presence was a lifeline, a reminder that even when the world felt like it had shattered, some people would hold you together.
Finally, my sobs slowed, and I rested my head against Percy's shoulder, taking in slow, shaky breaths. My body felt exhausted but strangely lighter. They hadn't tried to make me laugh yet. They hadn't made me smile. And that was okay. Because for now, being safe, being heard, and being held was enough.
"I… I don't know if I can forgive him," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"You don't have to," Aries said softly. "Not yet. Not ever if you don't want to. What matters is you. Your heart. And your healing."
Percy nodded. "Exactly. One step at a time. No pressure. No expectations. Just you, right now."
I closed my eyes, letting their words sink in. And for a moment, even if just for a moment, I believed that maybe, just maybe, I could survive this heartbreak.