SLEEP

It took a few seconds for Laleen to register the burning sting on her right cheek, her face having been tilted to her left from the impact.

Tears gathered in her eyes and she quickly shut them to prevent them from rolling down her cheeks. Something in her heart hardened and even her previous trembling seized. 

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on her and snapped her out of her fear.

Of course, what had she expected? 

Slowly she tilted her head to meet her mother's burning gaze. Her mother was still very much livid.

Her voice trembled as her chest heaved up and down. "Why did you do this?" She whispered in the quietness of the room.

"Aunt! It's not what you think. She..." Elizabeth tried to speak for her but her mother was quick to rebuke her.

"Not another word, Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth's lips sealed shut at her warning as her hands balled into fists. 

Her mother harshly gripped Laleen's shoulders, staring into her eyes as if willing to explain why she did what she did.

"Tell me, did you not want to get married that much? Was that the reason why you had to ruin your reputation in such a way, you silly girl?!" She screamed, tears streaming down her face as she shook her shoulders vigorously.

If it were any other day, Laleen would have turned completely immobile at the sight of her tears but she just stared blankly whilst subconsciously willing the stubborn lump clogging her throat to disappear.

"I didn't... do anything" she choked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Please... believe me", she pleaded internally. It might not seem like a lot, but it would mean so much to her if her mother could believe her words.

"Do I look like a fool to you?" Her mother responded contrary to how she had hoped. Something crashed in Laleen's world at the simple words. She stared wide-eyed at her mother as a wave of devastation hit her without warning. 

"Do you know what the neighbors are saying about you? Have you checked the news? How will we show our faces to the world from henceforth?!" She rambled, her voice reverberating through the walls of the living room. 

"You've completely ruined us!" At those words, her mother pushed her backward but she had underestimated the strength of Laleen's legs at that moment.

It was not enough force but it was enough to make her fall to the floor her body hitting the ground unceremoniously.

At that moment, her father rushed in, his eyes widening at the scene in front of him.

His legs moved quicker than he could think with the intention of helping her rise to her feet.

Elizabeth did the same but before they could reach her, Laleen had gotten to her feet. Her eyes appeared deader than a minute ago and she smiled into space for a moment before it disappeared.

Staring into her mother's eyes, she frowned slightly, "I didn't do anything, Mother"

Her mother just stood silently like someone had splashed cold water on her face.

Her face slowly grew pale as the realization crept into her skin, its roots encircling her heart and giving it a tight squeeze.

"Why would I ruin my reputation like this? And for some stupid reason as getting married. I would never do that." Her voice was quiet and soft as it filled the room but it lacked its usual fervor which worried her father who stood in silence beside her greatly.

"Stephanie dear," he tried to call but she quickly interjected, her head tilting to face him.

"You believe me, father. Don't you?"

Julius choked on his words; as he stared at her in dismay, something whispered to him.

His heart tightened at the realization. Though she asked, she didn't believe that he would believe her. No, she just didn't care.

It saddened him tremendously.

Despite that, he still answered, "I do. I always did."

Her lips curled slightly as her eyes sparkled in surprise but then it dimmed once again.

"Oh" was all she murmured to his words. Her mother had since realized her mistake. She had let her anger cloud her judgment. She had been so wrapped around the wedding and thought that her daughter would do anything to try to ruin it. 

Even if she had to be called someone's...

Her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped. How could she? How could she accuse her precious daughter of such terrible things?

Her mouth moved to apologize but Laleen as if sensing her intention turned to leave.

"If you will excuse me" She whispered almost robotically and quickly disappeared into her room.

Elizabeth sighed sadly, her heart breaking for her friend while her parents shared a look. A long one.

Getting to her room, Laleen readily shut the door. With her back pressed against the closed door, she sighed deeply while shutting her eyes.

"That was...a lot" she whispered to the quiet airs of her room. Looking around her, she sighed again.

Subconsciously ignoring the immense heaviness in her heart and with a clear mind, Laleen went to freshen up.

Getting out of the shower and in fresh new clothes, she fell to the bed in one swoop.

The internet was in chaos with her number of haters and possibly potential murderers growing by the minute but at that moment nothing else mattered. All Laleen wanted to do was sleep.

But there was one other person who had been robbed of his sleep by the exploding news on the internet. 

***

It had been roughly an hour since he got in his bed. Just for a measly three hours. That was how much sleep he could allow himself.

But barely a few minutes to an hour later, he heard his phone buzzing beside him.

The more he tried to ignore it, the louder it rang. With a low yet frustrated groan, he reached for it with his hand.

Swiftly answering the call without looking, his deep voice reverberated lazily and without care, "Fuck you."

The person on the other end of the line had juice in his mouth which spilled immediately after he heard Shane's "greeting".

"You devil! What kind of a greeting is that?!" He complained while wiping his mouth.

Shane clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Oh my bad." He apologized sincerely.

After a pause and what seemed like a brief contemplation on the right words to use, he questioned with an intimidating voice sending a shiver down the other person's spine.,

"Rather, how would you like to die?" 

This earned him a hard cough from the person on the end of the line. "No thank you" he murmured in thanks.

Clearing his throat, he smiled smugly as he began in a singsong manner, "Shaney... have you seen the news?"

Completely irked, Shane murmured, "I'm going back to sleep"

"Wait!" The other person shouted making Shane pause for a second. Knowing he couldn't toy with the sleepy devil any longer else he wanted to really try dying, he quickly said what was important.

With all pleasure and knowing that the message he had was going to erase every iota of sleep from his eyes, he couldn't help but smile again as he feigned worry.

"You're on the news!" He finally let the bomb roll out of his tongue.

"Huh?"