I Promise (Clean Version)

~Chapter Twenty-Seven~

"Tell me about it. From warm-up," he said.

"I was ashamed of myself. I just kept remembering Darren's face of disappointment. Fast-forward to when he came onstage after. I didn't want to deal with it, hence why we went home early. Robert gave me his phone so I could call Mum. I vented to her. The fireworks were terrifying me more than I anticipated. Last night, I learned that the orphanage hadn't only found me blue, with hypothermia and with fresh bruises. They found me with-with," I started crying and Clark held me close.

"It's okay. Keep crying," he said softly. It was five minutes before my eyes dried up and I couldn't cry any more.

"Bullet wounds," I whispered, "There were bullet wounds. The fireworks sound like those bullet wounds, which triggered my PTSD which I apparently have and haven't known for a while. And I also thought of bones breaking. I had many bones snapped at the orphanage when I arrived. Along with the whole thing with my wrist. And overall, yesterday sucked," I said. Clark kissed my forehead and I felt safer.

"How did you sleep?" Clark asked me.

"Terribly," I said, "I had double the caffeine."

"Okay. Just remember I'm always here for you," he said, bringing me onto his lap. I leaned my head on his shoulder, having missed Robert next to me for the past hour or so. It's crazy how someone who was once a stranger could make me feel so safe. "You're not alone. 'Cause you're here with me. And nothing's ever gonna bring us down 'cause nothing can keep me from loving you. And you know it's true. But it don't matter what'll come to be- our love is all we need to make it through."

I looked at him and put my head back in its cozy perch. "Don't you ever forget for as long as you live," he said.

"I'll do my best," I said, "I promise."

"Good." He kissed me lightly, like a cloud or a ray of sunshine. "Go out first. I'll be right behind you."

"I love you," I confessed, my hand on the doorknob. My gaze followed my hand. "You and only you in this way."

I started to turn the doorknob before Clark grabbed my shoulder softly. "Don't go yet," he begged me.

"But there's lunch," I said. He gave me a small smile which I answered with my own.

"Let me tell you something. Or sing. I'm pretty bad with words," he explained. I nodded and sat next to him.

"Go for it," I whispered.

"From the moment I met you, those few months ago.

Not a single day has gone away that I didn't think of you.

The thought of not being with you, I cannot breathe.

I'm haunted by the kiss that you.

That you never should have given me.

I'm haunted by the kiss that you

That you never should have given me.

My heart won't stop beating, hoping that this kiss

Will never ever become a scar," he sang. He exhaled. "What I'm trying to say is... I love you, too. I love you."

We kissed lightly, still scared that Darren would come at any second. "Well, I'm hungry," I said.

"Okay. Let's go," he said, taking my hand.

"Wait," I said, unlocking my phone and looking at Darren's location.

"Where is he?"

"Not here. At the manor," I replied, squeezing his hand as we headed to the theater where there was food, as I was promised. After we all ate, we went backstage in order to get ready for the matinee performance.

The matinee performance was flawless. We all got some dinner and then came back, eating. We ate quickly and got ready for the performance. It was pretty good, but I nearly forgot to make Dylan the diijn. Finally, everyone came in flushed from the show after curtain call. Everyone was finally changed and they cleared out after throwing on sweats. I received a text from Robert. Darren's here. Lo's keeping him occupied, but it's not going to last for long. You need to talk to him. Or we can just ignore him. I'm fine with whatever you choose.

My stomach dropped and I sat down. Clark noticed and came up to me. "What's wrong?"

"Darren's here," I said.

"Do you want to go face him together?" He asked me. I nodded, though it was hard. After a kiss on the forehead and an almost invisible one on the lips, we headed out, hand in hand. "Are you sure?"

"He's only two years older than me. He doesn't rule my life," I said.

"I'm here for you," Clark said, giving my hand a squeeze. When we entered, Darren and I immediately made eye contact. I looked away, at my hand. Clark's hand was so much larger than mine. Huh. I never noticed that.

"I'm here. Take my hand," Robert said. I let go of Clark's and transferred it. "Are you ready?" I nodded, though hesitant and scared. "I have you." I nodded and continued my gaze down.

"Luna—" Darren started.

"Slowly," Robert said cooly. He led me to sit down. I did, not letting go of his hand.

"Well, I'm going to start whether you want to or not. I messed up. I know I did. And the fact that I had a pretty strong consciousness while doing it makes me an a-hole. I know you're mad at me. You would probably be a little more confrontational if it weren't yesterday, but that's the past and I can't change it, as much as I want to. I overreacted. That's something I know for sure. And me meddling with your love life isn't okay. I know I shouldn't have been a drama queen, like I am normally. All in all, I just want forgiveness. I feel terrible for all that," Darren said. I was silent for a bit. Robert leaned over to me.

"You don't have to go back fully at once. Wounds take a while to heal. You know that. It's your choice and I'll support you either way," he whispered. I squeezed his hand.

"I forgive you," I said. Darren was about to speak, but I cut him off. "There are a few conditions. It's okay for you to want to know a lot, but that doesn't mean you get to meddle. It doesn't mean that I tell you all of it. Second, this is going to take a while. Yesterday, I learned some disturbing information. I'm still working on processing it. We have to move slowly."

Darren was silent for a few seconds. "I'll deal with those terms," he said, holding his arms out. I released my arm from Robert's death grip which was on my arm since I started talking. I carefully went over to Darren and hugged him.

Disclaimer: I only own Luna and the plot line. In addition, I have never met Darren, but this is a fictional version of him and everyone else.

Well, I was supposed to go back to school today, but our campus had too much snow and it was super dangerous, so we had today off! Yay! Also, if you have advice for writing Russian letters, please let me know. I need to know. What are your resolutions for the new year? I have a lot, so I want to read 42 books and get two loop jump combo  jumps with a better camel spin. I just hope that when I take notes I won't mistakenly write 18 for a while. Well, we only have six chapters left and then a potential sequel I need to finish. Have a great time 'till I see you next!

Edit: I forgot to mention how sweet Brian's Instagram post for Meredith's birthday yesterday was!!!

--Luna :D