Always Okay | (Adopted By Elizabeth Olsen)

Chapter 53

Word Count: 4366

Alexis's POV

"Wait a second!" a cold hand grabbed my wrist tightly as I turned around to see my attacker.

"Jarnette, let her go, she has nothing to do with this," Clay tried to defend me but he was on the other side of her, far away from me. I was full-on panicking like flashbacks and everything, no one has touched me like this since Josh. It's been almost four months, I should be stronger than this right? I should be able to stand up for myself, but no - I'm standing here frozen in time like an idiot.

"Jarnette?" Clay raised his voice in a threatening manner, as we listened to Rose's cries in the background.

"Look at me," she spat angrily towards me as my eyes bounced around the room trying to find something to focus on and ground myself as Lizzie taught me.

"Jarnette, let her go. If you're mad talk to me, yell at me, but let go," Clay shouted, only adding insult to injury as I tried to keep a grip on reality.

"Alexis!" she shouted at me as I felt her fingers tighten their grip on my wrist. I raised my eyes in her direction. Her eyes met mine and for a split second, I could see how much Lizzie resembled her. How ironic that the one person I trust most in this world looks so much like the one person who's been the cause of so much pain.

"I want you to know something," she started as I keep my eyes bouncing between her hold on me and her face. I inhaled a deep breath as I felt myself return to my old self, Josh's little girl - Josh's perfect fighter, Miss Allie May.

"Jarnette, LET GO!" Clay shouted sending another round of Rose's cries through the air.

"Clayton, don't make me remind you of what else happened at that courthouse," Jarnette threatened to shut him up as I leaned over to see his eyes go wide, so there is more to tell. "Alexis?" her voice rang in my ears as she pulled me closer towards her. I took in my surroundings carefully as I studied my options for escape while also getting rid of Ms. J.

"Yes, ma'am," I spoke slowly, trying my best to add confidence to my voice while I felt the adrenaline flow through my body. It helped to push my panic away as I was in survival mode.

"You and I need to chat."

"About?" I replied dumbfoundedly as I surveyed her face carefully. She drew an annoyed look before pulling me closer. I noticed Clay leave the room out of the corner of my eye and scoffed internally. How is it possible, I'm getting babysat by quite possibly the wimpiest man? But whether he left in self-preservation or to try and help me in some way, I didn't know and I tried not to dwell on it. I don't need him, he obviously is here out of guilt or something.

"Listen here, little missy! You are not the boss here," Jarnette replied agitated, just how I knew she would. That name brought up many very unpleasant memories but now was not the time to think about that. I wished Lizzie was here with me but tonight is her big night and that's more important. This fight with her mom, while scary and probably nightmare-inducing for me, is just not as important. It's just one more thing I have to go through alone.

"And you are?" I raised an eyebrow at her, keeping my cool demeanor. It'll only set her off more, hopefully, she'll either make a move to hit me, releasing my arm in the process or she'll be so angry she'll do it herself when she tries to comfort herself.