Right person. Right time? Sequel To My Best Friends Older Sister

Malia's POV

I lay with Kylie, not moving,  too afraid that if I look away, for even a second, Kylie will slip back into herself, shut down again, pretend none of it happened. So I stay close.

I let Kylie sleep in my arms that night, not in the peaceful way we used to, but in a way that feels more like holding someone together.

When Kylie finally falls asleep, I stay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying every word Kylie said over and over. The anger burns under my skin, even hours later, but not at Kylie. Not directly at her anyways, but more at the man who did that to her, at the industry that let it happen and also myself, because how had I not seen this sooner?

By the time morning comes, I haven't slept at all but I do know one thing, I have to tell Ruby. I wait for a more acceptable time to I get up, I slowly slide Kylie off me and get her comfortable in the bed without me, I lean down planting a soft kiss on her forehead before I get out of bed,

I go straight into the kitchen and attempt to make coffee with my shaking hands knowing I'd need the caffeine to even attempt to make it through the day. While I wait I try to find the words for when I talk to Ruby, I don't even know where to start, when she found us the next day- with Kylie sleeping in my arms, the look on her face I don't think I could ever forget it, the disappointment evident and I felt horrible for it,

"You look like you didn't sleep at all" Ruby comes into the kitchen, arms crossed, leaning against the counter, I just nod in response not wanting to get lectured by Ruby and the importance of having proper sleep,

"Is she still asleep?" Ruby asks, her voice flat as she pours herself a coffee too,

"Yeah" I nod and for a second Ruby doesn't say a thing but I can see the way shes tightly gripping her cup,

"I'm still mad at her" She says,

"I know" I mutter,

"Why did you forgive her? What could she possibly have said for you forgive her? I mean I get she is dealing with shit but you know that doesn't change what happened the other night right?" She says,

"I know" I bite my lip guiltily thinking of how Ruby spent that night, she came and picked me up from the party, she kicked Josh out on their one night together so that she could help me feel better, she let me vent and cry, she comforted me all while I was devastated due to Kylies actions, then the next day she found me with Kylie in my arms.

"She fucking- she manipulated you and she embarrassed you and-" She cuts herself off, her jaw clenched as the frustration radiates off her,

"She did all that and you just let it go? And I'm just supposed to let that go too?"  She shakes her head,

"I'm not asking you to let go, but there's more to the story than what happened last night" I exhale slowly setting down the coffee cup,

"Oh right how could I forget? There's always more with Kylie" She bitterly laughs,

"Just listen to me okay?" I plead,

"Fine, just- talk" She sighs rubbing the bridge of her nose, I can tell she is loosing patience so I just talk.

 I tell her everything Kylie told me last night, I tell her about her producer, about how he manipulated her, how he threatened her, how he stole from her, how he broke her. I tell her how she turned to alcohol then just like she turned to alcohol now, I tell the real reason why Kylie stopped talking to her.

I tell her what happened that night, how Chucky pressured her into drinking, how that girl attacked her, how she showed up on our doorstep bruised and bloody. I tell her about yesterday morning, how she broke down, how she finally told me everything, how she let herself be vulnerable.

When I'm done Ruby is silent, she's staring out the window, her face tight, strained. Her fingers grip onto the kitchen counter, slightly trembling, I can practically see the war going on in her head. I can tell she's still angry and frustrated but there's also something beneath it all, guilt, sadness, hurt, I can see she understands.

"So that's why" She says like she's piecing everything together aloud, I just nod in response, letting her continue to process it all,

"Okay" She sighs while shaking her head,

"Okay I get it. She has been through hell but-" She pauses taking another deep breath,

"It doesn't mean I'm ready to forgive her"

"I don't expect you to"

"I don't think you're ready to forgive her either"

"That's not your decision to make Rube" I say softly,

"Malia, I love her, I do" She says, 

"But I also love you, and- god Malia it killed me seeing you like that, when Dior and Jadah called me to pick you up- I knew something bad had happened, when I got there you could barely talk, you were practically choking on your own tears just blubbering out Kylies name" Her voice cracking ever so slightly showing the frustration bleeding through her raw words,

"And when Jadah told me what happened, I don't think you know how much effort it took me not to storm right into that club and kick her ass" 

"I know" I bite my cheek looking away,

"No I don't think you do" She replies bluntly,

"Because I feel like every time Kylie screws up, you forgive her so easily, and I get it- she is hurting but when the hell is enough, enough?" She says and I stay quiet for a moment, taking in what she said, 

"It's enough when she stops trying" I reply quietly but certain because I believe Kylie and even after everything I do still trust her,

"Okay" Ruby nods slowly, like she doesn't want to agree with me, but she knows I have a point,

"I'm going to need some time" She mutters,

"Anything you need" I say,

"Okay now..come here" She sighs puts down her cup before opening her arms, I quickly step forward hugging her tightly,

"I hate when you're mad at me" I say into her shoulder,

"I hate being mad at you" She laughs squeezing her arms tighter around me,

"Thank you- for just being here" I pull back,

"I'll always be here for you" She smiles,

"Right, now what's you plan here?" She asks,

"Well-"

"I'm going to rehab" A voice suddenly interrupts us and I look to the doorframe to see Kylie,

"What?" I frown,

"I'm not putting you through that again, either of you, I'm doing this the proper way, I'm going to rehab." She states.