Brutal | H.S

Chapter 16.

I sat at the kitchen table with a towel wrapped in my hair and a cup of tea in my hands. Tyler, Valerie, and Eleanor sat around me, Gray directly besides me. He woke up a few minutes after I was out the tub, my wet hair being the only evidence of me even being there. I felt more relaxed than I was before, a calm sensation taking over my senses like nothing else had mattered.

No one wanted to be the first one to start the conversation, so we sat there in a semi-comfortable silence. My hands had new bandages on it, along with my thigh and the small cuts on my face were cleaned. I don't know if it was just my mind playing tricks on me again, but my head was also clear. There was nothing in my head actually. No painful headaches or throbbing. Only silence filled my head, not even my voice bothering me anymore.

I take a sip of the tea, casting my eyes down onto the dark brown liquid before turning to Eleanor. She catches my stare and clears her throat, sitting up some. Both Valerie and Tyler look over at her and nods, signaling her to go ahead.

"How are you feeling A? I see your face is nearly healed." She points out. Almost out of reflex I touch the cut on my lip. I nod and smile, shrugging slightly. "Yeah. I'm glad it's not leaving much scars." I respond. She hums and smiles, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Will you be honest with me?" Eleanor asks, pressing her lips into a firm line. Her emotions changed quicker than I could comprehend, but no one else seemed bothered by it. Not knowing what to expect I spill out a yes. "Do you even trust us anymore?"

Feeling taken aback I turn to Gray who has a similar look on his face, but doesn't meet my eye. "What? Of course I do. Why would you ask me that?" I frown clenching my hands under the table. I didn't believe that I did anything to equate them thinking I couldn't trust them. Why wouldn't I trust them? My entire lives depends on them at times, so it would be stupid not to. "Because you're making decisions without even considering us anymore. It was stupid of you to even think about doing that by yourself, let alone in a place you barely even knew." Eleanor nearly snaps.

I narrow my eyes at her now, feeling myself growing defensive. "I didn't know I needed your permission to do shit that didn't deal with us." I snap back leaning forward. "And let's not forget it was my job before it was ours. I know what I'm doing better than anyone in this room." Letting out a scoff I roll my eyes. "But, if it makes you feel better, Gray knew."

Not forgetting Valerie was still in this room I shut my mouth. Everyone was quiet for a moment before Eleanor slaps her hands down onto the table. She startles even Valerie, who jumps up in her chair. Pointing an accusing figure at me she shakes her head. "You don't get to this do this to us. To me or Valerie. You're being fucking irresponsible and selfish right now. Imagine if something wrong happened and they killed you, and instead of leaving it at that they came and went after Val and her family."

Valerie attempts to cut in at that, but doesn't get to speak before Eleanor starts again. "My fiancé and your boyfriend almost died and all you care about is yourself? I don't even know why you went! Right, cause you're being fucking unreasonable—"

"That's enough El.  Don't you think you should let her explain herself before you jump down her throat?" Gray cuts in, shooting her a look. It worked to calm her down, and she nods at me to talk. I clench my fists again, not wanting to snap at her again. It was incredibly infuriating that she was acting like she was able to give me permission to speak. If I wanted to cut her off, I would've already. "I went because I needed to. I'm not going to sit here and air out my business because you don't trust me, but don't act like it's the other way around 'cause you know damn well it isn't." I speak lowly, moving my eyes over to Valerie. "Plus, do you seriously think I'd ever let anyone near Valerie or her family? You should know I would never let anyone hurt them."