LABYRINTH | Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

26 | the oliver theory.

I've come to the realisation that my ability to cope lessens even more the moment I'm left to my own devices, which is why I invited Oliver over whilst Scarlett was meeting with her attorney this afternoon.

She was going to be gone for a few hours since the place is about an hour away so we had plenty of time to kill.
The first hour was spent playing game after game of chess, which much to my disappointment, he won every single round.
The second hour we went back to my bedroom and watched a couple episodes of 'Modern Family'. I'd never seen it before but I did enjoy it as much as I could whilst my thoughts were racing.

Eventually those thoughts became too much and I was in desperate need of a distraction.

Although, unlike previous times, it wasn't helping like it was supposed to.

The thing about unhealthy coping mechanisms is that after a while, they just become another bad habit. Something that's born from trying to find your way around the curveballs life throws at you instead of facing it head on, suddenly dies out and you're left with an unknowing sense of what to do.

'Your tantrums are getting fucking ridiculous. That is enough! You're nearly seven years old for goodness sakes.'

'I'm sorry I let that man in the house, he said he was your friend. I hope you wake up soon. I love you lots, Dad.'

'Miss Ainsley, is my Momma coming soon?'
'I'm sorry, Kenzie, we can't get a hold of her, but Sadie's Mom says that you can go have a play date if that sounds like fun?'
'Yay!'
'Alright, let's go find your bag.'
'Okay. Did they arrest the man with the gun?'
'They did, honey. It's safe now.'
'Well good. I took some bandaids from the first-aid corner just incase anybody got hurt.'

'You tell your Mother what you saw and I'll put you in an ice cold bath again, got it?'
'Yes, Dad.'

'I don't care about your stupid art, go show someone else.'

'I'm so sorry, your parents bodies were found at a home in Arizona.'

"Kenzie, are you okay? Do you need to stop?" Oliver's movements come to a halt as I'm drawn back to reality.

"Oh...no, you're okay. Keep going," I tell him, faking a smile as I let out a deep breath. I quickly adjust myself so I'm a little more upright on my pillows and Oliver tries to pull of my shirt.

"No. No, I want to keep it on," I admit, shaking my head and pushing his hands away from the bottom of the material.

"Why?" He frowns, understandably confused. I've never kept my top on in previous times.

"I just want to keep it on, please," I almost beg and much to my relief, he nods before making his way down my body.

We don't get much further when he lifts his gaze back to mine after hearing the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway.

"What's the time?" I question, eyes blowing wide. He reaches for his phone that's resting on my nightstand. "It's half-past four."

"Shit!" We completely lost track of time. I thought we still had another half hour at least.

"What am I supposed to do?" Oliver panics, getting off the bed and immediately gathering his clothes in his arms.