is so unfair.
I felt a larger hand begin to stroke my head, and I knew from the creak of the bed on my right side that Dad was here. He didn't ask questions as I continued to cry long and hard. He simply added to Mother's words of support and comfort as they hugged me for as long as I needed.
I'd only seen them do this once, and it was when the news of Starlight's fiancé and team's deaths finally made its impact on her. If I was feeling this way over the death of someone I barely knew, I couldn't imagine the feelings I'd experience if I lost someone I loved.
I cried until my tears ran dry, and when I quieted down, Dad knelt down and put a hand on my lap to get my attention.
"I want you to know that how you're feeling is perfectly allowed. It's not wrong to feel the way you do, nor is it wrong to be frustrated with what's happening online," he whispered. "What I can say is this: Leia will get justice. Just like we'll fight long and hard to ensure you get justice during the trial," he assured me.
Mother nodded and continued to rub my back. "The high court concluded that the trial will be delayed until New Year’s Eve. They wish to get it out of the way this year, but due to current circumstances, they're willing to postpone if they must."
I slowly nodded, feeling slightly relaxed at the idea of not doing the trial so soon. We may have an extra week added to our holiday break, but I knew I'd need every bit of time to recover from this.
"She didn't deserve what happened to her," Mother stated firmly. "Understand?"
I nodded. "Understood."
Dad sighed and got up. "Why don't you go take a calming bath? We'll be downstairs tonight working on a few tasks, but if you're hungry, say the word and we'll fix something for you to eat."
"Or if you feel like eating anything, we can go for a night ride and get something to eat at one of the twenty-four-hour joints," Mother offered.
The idea of going out was appetizing, especially since it had been a long while since I’d gotten the opportunity to spend time with them.
"I wouldn't mind going out later," I whispered. "I miss you guys."
"I know," Dad whispered and leaned over to press a kiss to my forehead. "We miss you, too, Brianne."
"And we're here for you," Mother reassured me.
I actually allowed myself to smile in gratefulness as I bobbed my head in understanding.
"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad."
They gave me warm smiles before they each gave me a hug before heading downstairs.
I sat on my bed for a while, staring at the book before looking at the bandages along my arms and legs. A bath would definitely be a calming self-care moment, and with the hovering idea of going out to eat, I decided to gather my stuff and get the water ready.
I filled the bath with steaming hot water. I wasn't sure how I'd handle it with my wounds, but I didn't really care about the potential stinging pain I'd deal with. Maybe the pain would numb everything else.
The knock on the door caught my attention as I took a new set of summer pajamas - my pink Sailor Moon pajamas - in my grasp. I turned my head to see Kaito.
I stared at his image, almost thinking I was having a hallucination or something, but I lowered my eyes to the gorgeous bouquet of flowers in his grasp. It was an array of orange, pink, and yellow roses that were bundled together in a pink glass pot with yellow crescent moons.
Moving my gaze upward, my eyes locked with his as he seemed to take advantage of my observation to do the same. His eyes took me in while they softened in admiration.
"Knock, knock," he whispered.
"Who's there?" I quietly replied as I suddenly fought hard to not grow emotional from his sudden arrival.
"Your long-lost boyfriend," he answered and lifted the flowers further. "With a bouquet of flowers in a Sailor Moon themed pot."
That made me smile as I slowly walked over to the door. My parents had to have known he was coming for them to let him in at this hour and not let me know. I was sure after my breakdown that they would assume having company would help cheer me up, especially from one of my amazing boyfriends.
Adding the fact that I