The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 2

I wake up to the sun blinding my tired eyes and my all too chirpy brother standing at my window with my curtains pulled back.

"Parker what the fuck?" Mia groans beside me and I remember how much of a non-morning person she is. "It's the middle of the night" she says in annoyance before pulling the quilt over her head.

"It's 7.30 you drama queen. And it's Grace's first day back at school." He replies cheerily.

Parker is the second oldest of us all and has Joey's dorkiness and Cole's cold demeanor all wrapped into one. He used to have a bit of a reputation as his campus's playboy but I think that was all for show, He's been with his girlfriend Chloe for over a year now and although they've had their ups and downs I think he's loved her since he met her, it's written all over his face every time he looks at her. 

"Grace, if you aren't ready to go back just tell me, I'll talk to Mom." Mia tells me with a concerned look on her face as she sits upright in my bed.

"She needs to go back, it will do her the world of good." Parker tells Mia giving her a pointed look.

"Not if she's not ready it wont" Mia argues.

The bickering continues as I make my way into the bathroom ignoring them both. I know they mean well but no one thinks to ask me what I want, they all just assume they know what's best for me.

I brush my teeth and my hair before pulling it up into a messy bun on top of my head. My hair is long and a dirty blonde color but at the moment it just looks dull and lifeless.

I stare at my reflection and realize that my once radiant green eyes are also lacking their sparkle, although they've been like that for a while.

I take a deep breath and decide this is alive as I'm going to look anytime soon.

When I walk back into my bedroom Mia and Parker are still bickering.

"It could completely overwhelm her!" Mia yells at him.

"Or it will be a nice change instead of her being stuck in this house all the time!" Parker argues back.

I walk to my wardrobe and pull out a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized hoodie. I turn back around to face them when I realize it's went silent and they're both just watching me.

Their shell of a sister, causing issues again. My brain mocks me.

"Can you both leave please?" I ask and hold up my clothes to indicate I want to get changed in peace.

Parker leaves straight away telling me he'll be downstairs but Mia lingers, "You sure? I can stay you know" She tells me with a small smile.

I try to hide my frustration as I tell her, "Don't worry, I'm not going to try to hang myself from the ceiling with my thong," But it still comes out slightly snappier than I meant it to, I can tell by the look on her face.

I take a deep breath and try again, "I'll be downstairs in five minutes okay?" And offer her a small smile.

When my bedroom door shuts behind her I sit on the end of my bed for a moment. I place my feet on the ottoman at the bottom and pull my knees up to my chin.

School doesn't  bother me that much, I mean I have no friends. I cut myself off from everyone a couple of years ago, after the incident. I don't think anyone will know about what happened either so I should be fine, I just need to get out of this damn house.

I run my fingers through my hair in frustration and take deep breaths. The feeling of being suffocated by my family isn't helping me one bit but I know if I sit here much longer one of them is going to be bursting through my door any minute.

**

Once I'm ready I make my way downstairs and head into the kitchen.

"I was trying to fucking help." I hear Cole's deep voice rumble before I open the door.

"Yeah great help you were, she tried to slit her fucking wrists." I hear Parker's voice too.

Are they arguing about me? I push the kitchen door open and their conversation ceases, yep defiantly about me.

Don't get me wrong, Joey and Mia fight like cat and dog, but I can't remember the last time any of us really fell out with each other, not like this. But you could cut the tension in the room with a knife so it must be serious.

Parker looks absolutely furious, a deep crease between his brown and he's chewing his cheek.

I can't tell if Cole looks pissed off or hurt by whatever was said, but when he stands up abruptly, his chair falling behind him I would say probably the first option.

"Fuck this" He mutters as he leaves out of the back door, slamming it behind him.

Mia has obviously been trying to play middle man judging by the way she runs her hand through her thick, dark hair in a frustrated manor.

"What was all that about?" I ask cautiously, not expecting an answer.

Parker storms out of the backdoor in the same way Cole did moments earlier and Mia just shakes her head before putting on a big fake smile, "Nothing for you to worry about. Come on you're going to be late for your first day back."

We get into her car and I'm grateful I don't have to take the bus today.

"Okay, so Cole's going to pick you up and take you to your counseling session after school"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and throw my head back against the headrest. This should be fun.