They Say That ALL Beauty Must Die.

*Cherish's P.O.V*

I woke up in the middle of the night because it was cold in my room. I was thirsty too. My bed was so comfy and warm, I didn't want to get up.
But it honestly felt like there was fire in my throat..
So I got off my bed. I noticed I was still wearing my day time clothes. So before I went downstairs, I put on my pajamas. My favorite Avengers pjs. So comfy!
Brushed out my hair and slipped into my slippers. I opened my door and saw that the living room light was on. I figured the boys went on home and of course, I started to overthink.

What I'm being robbed? What if my aunt and uncle decided to come home? Or.. What if I'm dreaming?

I didn't know. I mentally slapped myself as I am trying to stop my overthinking. I started to think of my happy place as I made my way downstairs.
I reached the bottom and peaked into the living room.
The boys were sound asleep. I thought they'd gone on home. But thank goodness they didn't. I don't know how to spend a night by myself. Especially with a house as big as my aunt's.
I sneaked my way past all the boys without waking them and went into the kitchen.
It was so cold in here! I walked into the hallway to see the furnace was turned all the way down.
I turned it up all the way and I immediately felt the difference. I went back into the kitchen to see what was there to drink. I felt water would be too cold. And sometimes, it gives me heart burn..
I don't know why.

After what felt like forever, I just decided to have some milk. I poured myself some into a coffeemug and put it in the microwave.
Aah, I love warm milk. It reminds me so much of my mom.
She used to make me a cup when I couldn't sleep at night. Mostly it's because of nightmares..

I hated this! The overthinking!

I can't have a happy thought for too long! My brain just turns it into shit!

I just.. stood there for a while. I took my cup out of the microwave and put a little bit sugar. I drank slowly as I, once again, started to think.
What if my aunt and uncle just continue drinking when they get home? What if James takes me away from Huntington?
I like my life here and the people I met. I don't want to leave.
But then again, my aunt probably won't want me. I have no other family here. And I doubt Jimmy's mom would take me in. Or Matt's mom. Brian's mom..
I didn't know what I wanted to do but I know for sure that I would have to leave if they do keep drinking. Alcohol always wins!
Tearing families apart.
I don't want to be around that. Not anymore. I want to see if my aunt really cares about me.

I finished my cup of milk and went on back to room.
4 am and there's school tomorrow. This weekend passed by so fast. I sneaked past the boys once again but as I was stepping over Brian, I felt his hand touch my leg. I looked down at him and he was looking up at me.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want you to leave, Cherish."

"It's not up to me, Brian.." I whispered.

"Can't you run away? You don't have to be with your aunt and you don't have to go with James."

"Where will I go? No one else wants me."

Brian fell silent as he didn't know what to say. I stood there speechless. I was gonna go back to my room until I heard a sniffle. I looked at Brian to see that he was crying.
He quickly wiped them away as he knew I saw.. I kneeled down and sat beside him. He immediately pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back and I started crying too.

"I promise, I'l never forget you." I whispered into his ear.

"If anything happens, anything at all, no matter what it is. Day or night, you call me." Brian said to me.
"I'm here for you always. You're a part of my heart now as well as the rest of the boys."

I almost literally started to sob but I stopped myself.

"Don't overthink it. I might not leave.. You never know."

"I'm with you all the way with whatever choice you make, sis." Brian said as he planted a little kiss on my forehead.

I smiled and hugged him once more.

"I'm tired. We have school in a few hours."

"Right, I almost forgot."

"Have you seen my phone?"

"Jimmy had it last. Check on the coffee table." He said and he sniffled once more and got back into his sleeping position.

I got up and walked over to the coffee table to retrieve my phone. Unlocked, I saw that I had 5 missed calls and 7 messages.
3 calls from James, 1 from my "dad" and 1 from my aunt. I checked the messages and it was Johnny the weirdo texting me.
I guess he must've texted me before he fell asleep.

"Good night, Cherish."
"I hope you sleep well."
"Keep your feet warm."
"can I have a beer?"
"Never mind"
"Haha good night."

I smiled at the silliness of my friend. I love the way the boys make me smile. I feel like its been a long time since I felt this familiar happiness.
I looked at all the sleeping, peaceful boys. I smiled once more as I made my way to kiss all of them. One by one, planting a little kiss on their cheeks and whispering,
"good night"

I was making my way upstairs but stopped when I heard a distant mumble.
It was coming from Matthew.

"no... don't touch her.. leave her alone."

I wonder who he was dreaming about? I didn't want to wake him.
I read on the internet that if your body feels cold as you're sleeping, you're most likely to get nightmares. So I grabbed a blanket out of the hallway closet and went to cover him up.
Awe, he looked like a little baby!
I smiled to myself as I finally made my way to my room. Turned off the living room light so they'll sleep better.
I slowly walked up the stairs so I wouldn't make so much noise. Walked into my room, closed the door,turned off the light and then crept into my big, warm, fluffy, comfy bed!
I was beginning to feel comfortable but I frikken forgot to plug in my phone.
Sighing to myself, I got up to get my charger. Plugged it into the socket and the brightness on my phone automatically turned up.
But before I slept, my mind was racing with curiosity as to why James phoned.. 3 times.
I didn't want to call 'cause it was so late but I couldn't stop thinking about it! So I just dialed his number.. and pressed call.
I put the phone up to my ear and waited for him to pick up.
The phone rang a few times and then he.. picked up.

"I'm sorry if I woke you." I said to him.
"It's okay. I was actually waiting for your call."
"Okay..so.. what's up?"
"I just wanted to see if you made up your mind."
"Not yet. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'm not trying to force you."

It was silent. I hated the silence. You could literally feel it in the air.. the awkwardness. I just swallowed the lump in my throat and went on to ask,

"Why now?"
"..What?" He said.
"Don't play stupid with me, Mr. Hetfield. Why did you decide to want to be in my life now?"
He of course didn't say anything. I felt bad but I needed to ask.
"I wanted to keep you. I wanted to raise you. It was your birth mother that went behind my back at agreeing to a closed adoption."
I stayed quiet and waited for him to finish.
"I was on the road with your uncles.. I came back home and you were nowhere to be seen." He said quietly.
"I tried to go see you and get you back, but since it was a closed adoption, I had no idea who adopted you, where you were.. and I didn't know your name. I never held you.."
He sniffled as he went on..
"I recently just found you when your adoptive father called me. He told me your mother passed and he said he felt helpless."
I started to cry as well as the memories of my mother flooded my head.
"I want to be there for you, Cherish. I want to be your father.. You're my first born."

I fell silent but then sniffled and sighed..

"I'm giving my aunt an ultimatum." I told him.
"I'm giving her a choice between me or the alcohol.. If she chooses me, I'm staying and I will live the rest of my life in Huntington Beach.
But if she chooses the alcohol.. I will call you. And you will come get me away from these poisonous people." I cried as I was talking.

I had nothing more to say. It felt like the walls were closing in on me because he didn't reply. He didn't say a word.
I didn't want him to hear me crying and I didn't want to wake the boys so I just hung up.
I set down my phone and sat up on my bed. Trying to catch my breathe..
Fucken anxiety. I was almost ready to panic but then I stopped and started counting my breathes.

*inhale* one.. *exhale* two.. *inhale* three.. *exhale* four..
I did so until I calmed down.
I couldn't even think anymore due to the fact that I was tired as fuck. I laid back into bed.
Didn't bother turning off my night light.. I felt my body drifting into slumber..

Notes

Hey guys!
I'm sorry for updating so late..
I really hope people are still interested. I've just recently just found the motivation to start writing again.
But if you do like the story, leave a comment :)
Thank you so much <3