Lines of Devotion; To new Beginnings

/Chapter 1 End/

/Gina/

When they first entered the gym I was really captured by Astra. Maybe it's because I spent so much time with my step dad that I could see things like this. I just didn't know how much she was suffering and struggling ...Dad I think I'm in over my head this time I don't know what to do this time...God she was shaking so much and then she jumped up and tried to Sprint to the door. My instincts kicked in and I just pulled her into me holding her as close as I can while she cried...You really are like him Astra and that scares me.

"Go ahead I have you..

I promise I'm here."

Consoling her felt so natural I just didn't know what else to do...whatever that call was must have pulled the wrong block cause she's crumbling all at once right here on the floor with me and I don't know what to do for the first time...

"It's gonna be ok Astra I promise just hold on to me....."

After awhile she cried herself to sleep in my arms.. I moved her carefully like I was walking on pins trying not to wake a fragile child from sleep. Once I was confident she was safely on the couch I put a blanket on her then looked for her phone.... I needed answers and help surely whoever that was could help.. But why do I feel so helpless right now.

" Astra are you okay?...come on talk to me..."

" Uhh sorry my name's Gina and she cried herself to sleep....I don't know what to do or what even happened... I was hoping.."

" Can you meet me this would be easier in person to explain."

" Uhh yeah do you know where the Feiros Bathhouse is.?"

"Yeah I'm on the way..

Oh my name's Jean btw."

Did I do the right thing God I have never been so lost before....but I'm more scared then anything last time I felt this was with my step dad...oh that must be Jean.

"Hi uhh I'm Gina."

"I am Jean and sorry you got wrapped up in this..is she okay ?."

"Yeah she just broke down crying out of nowhere..

What happened.?"

"Well Astra has been in love with her best friend from high school, Cait....and they have a lot of stuff that never got to work through. I know more about Astra then Cait aside from what she would reveal to me and Dan."

"Alright uhh sorry this is a lot to take in.....So how do you and Dan? Know her and Cait."

"Me and Dan often visited a little Lounge called Genie's. And one night Cait was drinking heavy so me and Dan tried to talk to her and help. She must have been beyond the limits because she just started to cry and talk like she knew us for years. We sat and listened to her story and when she finally exhausted herself she passed out. Unfortunately she couldn't stay at the lounge while it was closing.... so we had to take her home with us. However when we got outside we met Astra who thought we was taking advantage of Cait....Looking back on the whole thing..... she was really terrifying it's like someone stole her entire world from her. I immediately began speaking to her trying to calm the situation but she was not really trusting. So I explained everything that happened to Astra and eventually she calmed down enough to be more rational. I asked her if she could take Cait home but she asked us to look after her .....it was strange honestly but Something wasn't right so I had Dan take her home and I stayed with Astra..... While talking I could tell she was exhausted she must have ran all over the place looking for Cait. Maybe that's why she was so open with talking to a complete stranger....some stuff I can't tell you for obvious reasons but Astra has a bad upbringing so she was alone a lot. And the one time she seen her parents during her highschool years was when they sent her to a rehabilitation center after the incident in highschool... And before she met Cait she got into a lot of fights outside of school which slowly became less and less the closer they got...Astra has been using Cait to hold back the side of her that scares her most.... And today Cait left everything which is scary....I am so worried about Astra because without Cait I don't know if she can cope with the emotional storm inside of her...."

I couldn't explain it I was just stunned into silence. I took everything he wanted to tell me in and the more I learned the deeper I was getting..God dad I am gonna need your strength now more then ever...

"What do I do ?..."

"I honestly don't know....But if you really care for her then you find a way inside that storm. Because I have tried and I will warn you now it's not easy. Astra made Cait her world and Cait wasn't grown enough to handle that but Astra didn't have anyone else like Cait....With her gone I just don't want the light Astra found to go out till we can find her....so what will you do, I'm not sure what relationship you have with her or want with her. I just know she needs as many people as possible right now. So if you don't want that responsibility then I understand I can take her with me right now. "

"No...I mean no I can do this it's a lot sure but...She reminds me of my Step dad so much I don't wanna lose someone else to that kind of storm.."

"Well you have my number so call no matter the time... No matter the reason call I'll be here. She's a fighter you will need a lot of patience most days to get through the easier layers... And if it ever gets to much for you  just call me....Ill take care of it good luck and thank you so much.....Now that I know she's safe I can try to find Cait."

Heading back inside I think I am still taking in the information. Not even sure where to start I just know that she needs someone right now.....Sitting on the floor while she sleeps for some reason feels calming she looks more peaceful like this for sure... I don't even know when my hand started Sliding through her hair.. how could someone so strong and beautiful have so much tragedy beneath the layers...Lost in thought I didn't even realize she was waking up.

" Gina...that feels nice."

"Hey how you doing."

"Better....I think I haven't fully cried like that in so long...I'm sorry I ruined the date."

"Not possible I had a good time so it wasn't really ruined . You had fun too right "

" Yeah...it was really nice "

" Then I guess we have a second date to plan for huh.."

"Gina...I'm in love with Cait....I don't wanna hurt you."

"Yeah I know but a date takes two people...and I'm ok with that I wanna know you more."

"But how do I not feel guilty about it..."

"Then let's do it this way....We won't call them dates anymore. To you I'm a friend who wants to get to know you. You have no expectations to fill and we can still go out and have fun. And I will stay honest with you so we can see where this goes...Would that work?."

" Yeah...I think it would. I do like you but I think I'm just scared of hurting anyone near me...Cait saw my worse and I am terrified of anyone else seeing it."

I couldn't resist her cuteness so I slipped into the couch and put her head in my lap. Letting my fingers trace through her hair slowly as I soothed her as best I could.

" Hey none of that now...You only hurt people around you by keeping bottled up inside yourself. You don't have to worry about me I'm here for you no matter what ok."

"All that crying must have really done something to me ...I'm normally not this vulnerable..ha"

" Hey even super heros need a side kick..they can't be expected to always save the day alone.."

If I was asked to name something that could surprise me I think I would have said nothing at all. But when she moved so graceful without missing a beat and just pressed her lips to mine so softly it was a surprise and the most wonderful kiss I had ever had. I did not think it was possible to pack so much emotions into a single kiss..

" Wow...that was amazing."

" Sorry I just acted on impulse....it's been so long since I did that. I am really not myself tonight."

" That's alright I don't mind...so you feeling better now.?"

" Yeah....I'm feeling better I haven't felt this good in a while."

" Do you wanna talk about it.?..if it helps I'm willing to sit here and listen."

" While holding me like I could break at any moment..."

She had the ability to laugh again so progress. But she was right I held her like she would break at any moment.

" Well I am your side kick so it's expected right."

" Mhmm....I think I wanna stay like this a while longer....."

" Anything you need Astra....I'm here and I'm ready for anything. Just lean on me."