My Life in Rosewood

Chapter Ten

Things have not been going well. Like at all. What was sent to Aunt Ella turned out to be true. Ever since that day I have been out of it, barely able to function honestly. Aria and Mike have also been a little off lately as well. Mike because he senses something is wrong despite having no idea what's going on. I'm not 100% sure why they are keeping this huge secret from him, but myself and Aria have both been told by Aunt Ella and Uncle Byron not to mention anything. Then of course Aria is out of it because she found out someone told her mom what happened and that she knew about it. So now she has to watch the aftermath of her and her dad's actions. Besides the fact that I can't handle that Uncle Byron did this, but seeing people who are basically my family completely fall apart is hard to handle. I can't go through losing them too. Not in any aspect of loss.

Now that it's been out in the open for about two weeks now, with the exception of Mike knowing, and the entire town (thank God), it's been abnormal to be around them. But I try to be supportive of Aria not telling her mom for over 3 years because her dad begged her not to, or not think badly at the fact that Uncle Byron is a cheater. It makes no sense that he'd do this to his family, to his wife. He always seemed like a loyal person, the best male figure in my life outside of my dad. This makes no sense to me and will continue to not make sense until someone tells me a good reason for it.

All I know is that it's hard to wrap my mind around this, and unfortunately too noticeable of a distraction as I'm hanging out at Ezra's place with my head in the clouds. We had dinner plans tonight and I didn't have the heart to cancel. Unfortunately I can not concentrate and haven't told a soul about what happened. I was hoping I could get through dinner without him realizing it. But the glazed look on my face is hard to hide and I know he's picking up on this distraction because as time passes he keeps looking at me in concern or has to pull me back into the conversations.

"Jessie?" I hear his concerned voice as he leans over the table to get my attention after about an hour of being at his house, his hand setting onto mine.

I'm on a pillow on the floor of his living room, eating my food on the coffee table while he's on his couch across from me. He has a studio apartment, so there isn't much space to eat, not that I mind it. It's a cozy place and just right for him. Then the fact that it's next to the store just makes it convenient for me to see him whenever I'm in this part of town.

After the situation with Uncle Byron and the loud discussions he and Aunt Ella have been going through lately from barely being able to hide their differences from their kids, or even when I'm there I've needed more than ever to be out of the house. So the store became my safe haven for the last couple weeks. Leading to seeing Ezra a little more when he started to notice that I had been around here more often. He of course asked why the sudden need to be there and I lied and said I was thinking of opening up the store and needed to make sure everything was in order. In the end it ended up not being a lie because I've officially allowed people into the store about a week ago, and it has surprisingly been great. Having it open three days a week every other day so that I don't collide too much with school has been pretty therapeutic.

I blink and stare at his hand before landing my eyes onto him, "Hmm?" I finally say when I notice he's staring, and my face gets confused for a second. "I'm sorry, what happened?"

He gives me a sad smile, "You're drifting again."

I shift my eyes and half laugh to cover up my awkwardness. "I'm sorry. I'm a little tired. Adding the store to my routine has been a lot on my plate."

He gives me a soft look, knowing that I'm lying. Who would have thought that someone who's only known me for some months would be able to know my habits so well. "I can understand that, but you haven't been this distant and distracted in a while. Not since...the day I met you." He knows I get triggered easily by mentioning the accident in specific terms, so he's figured out how to get around it so I won't blank out the way I am now. "What's wrong?'