Little Miss Tyler (Waterloo road)

22

Leigh knew how she was considering moving in with Tom. She knew part of her felt bad for not going back to live with Max. But she knew she couldn't. She couldn't live with the bad memories anymore.

That morning, she woke and sighed. She looked to see the time which was only 6:30. She rolled onto her back knowing that there was no point trying to go back to sleep.

She got out of bed and sighed. She walked downstairs and made some coffee. Grace was there. "Hey. You're awake early."

Grace nodded. "Yeah. Thinking about Olivia. I can't believe she kept that from me. How scared she must have been to get to that point. Knowing she was violated."

Leigh took her hand and smiled. "I know how she feels. I know what she's been through. It's horrid. But now it's out in the open, she can get the help she needs. Trust me. I never got that. And it sucks."

Grace smiled. "Have you thought about what you're going to do? My mum has said you're more than welcome to stay here. But I know Tom asked you to move in with him," she said.

Leigh sighed. "I just don't know Grace. I feel like maybe I should. I feel like I've just moved in here."

"My mum doesn't mind. But you're free to do whatever you want to do. Only you can make up your mind about what you want to do."

"When did you get so wise?" She asked.

"Since I realised I'm almost an adult. That's scary."

Leigh grinned. "I know. You. As an adult."

***
Leigh walked into school. She saw Tom and smiled. "Hey. Did you think about my offer?" He asked as he looked to her.

Leigh sighed. "I don't know. I want to. But what will people say when I'm coming into school with you?"

"We can figure all of that out. I just want to know you're okay. And that you're safe," Tom said.

Leigh smiled. She knew how she was falling more and more in love with Tom. And she knew how she wanted to make it work.

Especially as she knew he had been there a lot for her. She smiled
"I'll give you an answer by the weekend. I promise you," she said.

"Okay. I just want to know you're okay. And that you're safe," Tom told her.

***
Leigh walked into Max's office. She smiled as she looked to her brother. "You have a smile. What's wrong?" Leigh asked.

Max laughed. He smiled. "Nothing. It's just good to see you with a smile on your face. Are you okay?" He asked.

Leigh nodded and smiled. "I'm doing good. Just decided that I can't let what happened keep dragging me down. I have my future to look forward to. I have something to look forward to."

Max smiled. "I'm proud of you. You've always worked hard. No matter what has been thrown your way. You never gave up."

"N'aww aren't you a cute big brother?"

Max rolled his eyes and watched as she walked out. Knowing that he was keeping a huge secret from her that would change her life.