Chapter 7: Rain and Nightmares

Aylin and Andromeda kept walking through the hallways, not saying a word to each other as Aylin was lost in thought, wondering how she was going to deal with all this, she didn't know how she wanted to make someone fall in love with her. She didn't even know what she was doing. All she knew was that the universe hated her.

Aylin sighed deeply, catching the attention of Andromeda who was walking beside her.

"Is something wrong?" Andromeda asked while Aylin slowly shook her head.

Yes, Everything is wrong!

"No, it's nothing." She replied, flashing her a small smile.

"Alright, we are here," Andromeda said, jerking her head towards Aylin's room.

"Oh, Okay," She nodded, opened the door, and stepped into the room before turning back, "I wanted to...Uhm...Thank you for your help, and for what you did. Thank you –"

"You don't need to thank me, I'm doing it only because of what I can get from it," Andromeda replied with a smile.

Yea... if making your grandson fall in love with a woman who will eventually leave him — making him heartbroken is what you're gonna get from it, then I don't know what to say.

"Still, thank you."

"You must be very tired, I will leave you alone now so you can rest," Andromeda said, ignoring Aylin's thanks.

"Yea, Goodnight," Aylin smiled.

"Goodnight," Andromeda returned her smile before turning around, she left there.

Letting out another deep sigh, Aylin closed the door before leaning against it, she closed her eyes, trying to relax—as much as she could at least.

Seconds ticked by and she finally moved away from the door, walking further into the bedroom, she looked around.

The room had a victorian theme and was mostly white, black, and gold. The marble walls and floors were white, a beautiful painting hung over the mantelpiece, the room included a mirror, a dressing table, and several large white and gold windows. A tall bed frame with a white canopy stood in the center of the room. The sheets were embellished with white flowers and embroidered with gold thread.

Holy shit... This room was fucking stunning and it was her bedroom now, at least until when she went back home.

Feeling tired and sleepy, Alylin decided to look for something to wear to sleep. Walking over to the closet, she started looking through the clothes, finding a pink wide nightgown.

Another gown again? Didn't these people have any other clothes than gowns?

Right… She was in another world.

She suddenly missed her silky pajamas.

With a groan, she put on the gown, walked to the bed, and laid down on it.

Now sprawled on the white silk sheets, she stared at the top of the bed, before turning to grab one of the many fluffy pillows. With a groan, she brought it close and curled up into herself. Closing her eyes, Aylin soon drifted off to sleep, plagued by nightmares.

It was dark and eerily quiet, but the sounds of crashing thunder and cracking lightning were heard along with the sound of raindrops splattering against the large glass windows that stood as a wall.

In a corner, stood a cloaked figure who Aylin was able to see through the help of the little moonlight, its back turned to her, looking out the window.

Wondering who it was, her feet moved and she started walking towards the cloaked figure. Her footsteps were quiet as she walked barefoot.

"Aylin." A familiar voice called, making her stop dead in her tracks.

She whirled around, only to come face to face with her former best friend.

"Isa?" Aylin called, trying to make Isa's face in the darkness.

"Yes, it's me, Isa. How are you doing Aylin? Let me guess, you've been crying about the fact that you are nothing but a worthless waste of space that no one cares about. Isn't that right?" Isa spoke, a cruel smirk plastered on her face.

"Wh–"

"There's no need to be shy Aylin, you are my best friend, you can tell me anything," Isa said.

"Best friends?" Aylin scoffed, "You are not my friend, you are just a –"

"Just what? A gold digger? A liar? A whore? Or a slut?" Isa laughed loudly. "I know, but at least I'm owning up to it. But you, you keep on denying what you are. A lonely, ugly, stupid, useless piece of crap," Isa spat venomously.

Aylin shook her head. "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are a pathetic girl that everyone hates!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No, stop!" Aylin shook her head again with tears brimming her eyes.

Isa took a step towards her, her expression still unreadable, "Don't lie to yourself Aylin, you deserve this fate, you deserve everything that's happening to you!"

"No, stop... I don't deserve it... I don't deserve any of these!" Aylin shook her head, stepping back.

"Of course you do, Aylin."

"No…" She breathed, tears streaming down her face as she continued to step back until her back hit a wall, she slid down the wall, holding her head in between her knees.

"You don't deserve anyone's love! And you don't deserve to live anymore, Aylin!" Isa screamed running towards her.

Aylin whimpered in pain, her tears flowing faster and harder, "Please stop...Stop!" Aylin choked on her words as her breath seized and she started coughing and gasping, clutching her throat that felt like she was being strangled and her vision went blurry, Isa's from becoming a gray haze in the darkness...

Jolting awake with a scream, Aylin sat upright in bed, clutching her chest.

Thunder rumbled in the sky as a white flash of lightning illuminated her surroundings. Aylin took in a shaky breath, wiping away the tears from her face. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm down her beating heart and ragged breathing. Once she managed to calm down, she opened her eyes and leaned against the headboard, bringing her knees closer, and she wrapped her arms around them.

Taking deep breaths, Aylin tried to think of something, anything else to distract her mind from those awful nightmares but nothing could distract her, absolutely nothing! So instead, she focused on the sound of the rain falling outside her window, which was like music to her, calming and soothing.

After a couple of minutes of calming herself down, she finally succeeded.

Breathing in, she closed her eyes.

It was always raining, even on that day.

...

Laughter and giggles erupted from the children running around on the field with their feet digging into the sand. A gentle breeze blew, ruffling the tree leaves, creating a rustling sound as dried leaves fell to the ground.

The afternoon sun was hot, but not enough to drive the kids away from the playground, where they continued to play to their hearts' content.

A young Aylin sat on a wooden chair in one corner of the playground, her eyes fixed on the playing children and another breeze blew, a little stronger than the first, blowing through her black hair, which had streaks of white at the front and underneath. She had braided her hair to one side and allowed a few strands to fall across her face.

Many people in the orphanage loved her because she was nice, caring, obedient, honest, selfless, and beautiful. Even in school, she was one of the most beautiful girls. Yet, due to her gentle nature and the jealousy, the girls felt toward her, they would bully and insult her. But she always had Isa, her best friend, who was protective of her and would fend off the bullies and encourage her to fight for herself.

Aylin watched as the little children bathed in the afternoon sunlight while playing on the playground, just like the sparkling sun — the children's mood was one of happiness and bliss, unlike Aylin's, who looked like gray clouds were looming over her head.

The playground was a large open field surrounded by tall trees, allowing the children to run around freely.

Time passed, but she continued to sit on the bench, unmoving, and then she heard footsteps until they came to a stop behind her.

"Aylin." A voice from behind her drew her gaze away from the playing children and she turned her head to see Isabelle, her best friend of almost 11 years, staring down at her, her light hazel eyes filled with unshed tears that threatened to spill at any moment.

Isabelle had long honey blonde wavy hair that fell freely by her side. She wore a pink plaid skirt that reached below her thighs, and a white crop top that contrasted with Aylin's plain black t-shirt which was long and wide, with a pair of black ripped jeans.

While Aylin preferred wide, long, dark, and boyish outfits, Isa preferred short, brightly colored revealing clothes. And Aylin wondered how they came to be best friends; perhaps it was true that opposites attract.

"Isa." Aylin's name came out as a whisper, and Isa slammed into her, wrapping her arms around Aylin as if she didn't want to let her go.

"Aylin… I don't want to go…" she sniffed. "I don't want to… I don't–." Her voice broke and, unable to hold back the tears, she let them fall and quiet sobs escaped her lips.

"I also don't want you to go, but there's nothing we can do about it," Aylin said, resting her chin on Isa's head and soothingly patting her back. "Look on the bright side of things. Your new parents are wealthy and can provide you with whatever you need. They can provide you with all the luxury and comfort you'll ever require."

"But, I don't want that! I want you! I want to stay here!" Isa said as she pulled away.

"I know that. I also want you to stay here. But we n-need to save the orphanage." Aylin replied, her voice breaking.

"I know, And that is the only reason I agreed," Isa told her in a low sad voice.

"I… I understand how difficult it is Isa… how difficult it is for you to leave… a place you've called home for 15 years… to leave the people you love and care about… to leave your friends." The last part was said as a whisper, but still loud enough for Isa to hear, and she paused to catch her breath before continuing. "But it's difficult for me to… to see you leave… it's very difficult Isa… and I'm sorry that you... you have to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the orphanage… I'm sorry." Aylin expressed her feelings as the pain of being separated from her best friend shot through her and an overwhelming sadness gripped her heart as tears pooled in her eye.

After sixteen years of living in the orphanage, she had grown attached to certain people in the orphanage that was like family to her. The family she never had and today, she would lose one of them. Just thinking about it made her clench her hands tightly into fists.