~Eden~
The shock of finding my dressing room in ruins hit me like a punch to the gut. The smoldering wreckage of what was once my sanctuary during the hectic concert schedule stood as a stark reminder of how fragile my world truly was. Despite my best efforts to keep it together, I couldn't shake the feeling of violation as I recounted the events to the authorities, my voice wavering with fatigue and fear. The sun had barely risen when the final statement was taken, leaving me drained and utterly lost.
But then, as if the universe had heard my silent plea for comfort, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to find a simple message from Aiden, his name lighting up the screen like a beacon in the dark. The weight of the past several hours lifted slightly at the sight of his name, and I couldn't help but smile as I read the message heād sent, His heartfelt words from the night before echoing in my mind.
I stared down at my phone for a beat, Aiden's message continuing to light up my screen with a warmth that pierced the Frigid morning air. Then, with trembling fingers, I placed a call, hoping he'd answer. I knew it was early, but I was desperate for a friendly presence to cut through the tension of this ongoing chaos.
The line rang once, twice, and then a click, followed by the sweet sound of his voice.
"Eden? Is everything okay?"
His concern was palpable, even through the phone line. Before I knew it, the dam had burst - a maelstrom of emotions spilling out of me all at once.
"Aiden, I-I don't know what to do," I choked out, my voice trembling. "My dressing room was... it's gone. Everything's gone."
"What happened?"
"Someone burned it down..."
The words tasted bitter on my tongue,. My eyes stung with fresh tears as I continued.
"The police think it was arson."
"Oh my God," Aiden breathed, his voice thick with shock. "Are you okay?"
"Physically, yeah," I assured him, though the tremble in my voice belied my inner turmoil. "But... my personal things, my mementos, everything that made that place feel like home... it's all just ash now."
A new wave of tears welled in my eyes as I choked back a sob.
"Eden, I'm so sorry.ā
Aidenās steady voice was a balm to my raw nerves left in the wake of the fire.
"Do they have any leads?" he asked, after a moment of silence had passed between us.
I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping.
āIām not sure,ā I replied, my voice small. "It's all a blur. The interrogations, the insurance, the... everything. It's just too much.ā
A soft noise of acknowledgement from Aiden, before the line went silent once more
."Do you have somewhere to stay?ā Aiden asked, his question a gentle probe into my shaky resolve.
"No, not really," I admitted. "But it's okay. I'll manage. I can be home by tonight. I just need to sort some things out before I can leave."
I could almost hear the concern in his silence, the unspoken offer of support resonating through the airwaves. It was a comfort, a lifeline in the chaos, even if there wasnāt anything he could do to help besides listening.
"You're welcome to stay with me," Aiden said, his voice steady and comforting. "I'm only an hour from where you are. Itās nothing fancy, but at least you won't have to deal with the long trip back on top of this whole mess. Plus, itāll save you an hourās travel the next day. If Iām reading the map right, my place is more or less along the route to your hometown."
I paused, unsure if Iāve heard him correctly.
"You're... are you... How on earth can you manage with... with all of me?"
"I've got it figured out, don't worry," Aiden assured me, a hint of a smile in his tone.
The offer was so genuine, so unassuming, that I found myself accepting without really considering the logistics. The thought of burdening him with my oversized presence didn't even cross my mind. Maybe I was too tired, or perhaps it was the comfort of his voice that made everything seem a bit less overwhelming.
"Thank you," I whispered, the words feeling woefully insufficient.
"No problem. I'll text you the details. Just get here whenever you can. Iāll have things ready when you arrive.ā
He paused for a beat before speaking up once again.
āAnd Eden... stay safe, okay?"
The line went dead.
Pocketing my phone, I turned away from the charred skeleton of my dressing room, letting out a long breath that I hadnāt realized I was holding. The sun had begun to climb higher in the sky, its warmth seeping into the chilly air, mirroring the comfort that Aiden's generosity brought to my weary soul. The idea of seeing him again, a quiet retreat to his place, filled me with a sense of relief. I still couldnāt fathom how the hell any of the logistics would work, but in this moment, none of that mattered. I was about to see Aiden... and that was enough.