Leah's POV:
I couldn't turn around. I was doing great and now that's all been for nothing. I built myself back up and fixed myself, and the person I fixed myself from has just walked in.
I heard the gasps coming from everyone in the room as they turned round to face her, I still faced away from her, not being able to turn around.
"I'm so sorry", she muttered as her voice cracked and I finally turned round to face her as my breath hitched in my throat. She was alive, standing in front of all of us. Physically, she didn't look any different apart from the few tiny scars on her face which broke me a little bit. But mentally, she seemed like a shell of herself, she didn't look like the bright and bubbly person I knew, and she didn't have that sparkle in her eye anymore.
I seen Em rise from her seat as she walked over to Y/N. Y/N seemed nervous as she avoided looking at Em, I'm guessing Em didn't take the news well when she heard and they had a fight.
Y/N looked surprised when Em pulled her in for a hug and her whole body relaxed as she hugged her back and she let out a sob. "I'm so sorry Em", she cried out. "It's okay, I forgive you, but I'm still mad at you", Em replied laughing through her tears.
Em pulled away as her and Y/N looked around to everyone. "I just want to-".
"No, we don't want to hear it, do you have any idea what we've been through Y/N!", Katie shouted as she rose to her feet making Y/N jump, that made my heart hurt a little but the feeling of anger and betrayal overcame the feeling of sympathy.
"We get you wanted to protect us, but I think I speak for everyone here when I say a little part of us died that day, it killed us thinking you went out the way you did", Alessia said as Beth, Viv, and Steph also let Y/N know how pissed they were.
"I thought it was the right thing okay, living with Paul the past year and not being able to-", I cut her off sharply before she could finish. She's been here the whole time?
"You've been here the whole time? Are you fucking kidding me? You've been 20 minutes down the road from me the entire fucking time and you didn't have the decency to tell me!" I screamed as I started walking towards her. "Leah-", she started before I cut her off.
"No! I went through hell when you died, if it wasn't for the people in this room I don't know if I would have ever learned to breathe again! I've been doing great, I learned to move on and be happy again. How could you do this to me", I sobbed angrily as I shoved her and banged my fists into her chest while she just stood there and took it.
I felt Viv and Beth gently pull me away from her as I quietly sobbed into Beth's chest, "we're gonna go", Katie said as well all made our way out of Paul's house, leaving Y/N and Em inside. She's lied to everyone for a year and she was living so close to us. How could she do that?
Y/Ns POV:
I watched Leah walk out of the door along with the rest of the girls and it ripped me apart, I destroyed her and I'll never be able to forgive myself. I cleared my throat and blinked back the tears as I turned round to Em.
"They hate me", I said sadly as Em gave me a sympathetic smile, "they don't hate you Y/N/N, they just hate what you did", she said softly and I just nodded.
"Well, you up for a drink?", I asked Em, needing to just let loose for a night after today.
"Are you sure that's a good idea Y/N?", Paul asked and I just nodded, "very sure", I sighed as he nodded. I know he's just concerned as I liked the odd drink when I was in hiding. I mean can you blame me?
"Alright, let's get drunk", Em said as I smiled. I let her borrow some of my clothes, she didn't think it would be a good idea for us to go back to her house in case any of the girls were there. We didn't want a round 2 of earlier.
Me and Em arrived at the bar, quickly ordering a few shots and downing a few drinks. She caught me up on how work has been the past year, from the small cases to the bigger ones.
We could both start to feel the effects of the alcohol and our conversation got deeper.
"I'm sorry I hurt you Em", I whispered as I looked away from her.
"Don't apologise, I'm sorry for how I reacted when I found out, I was just so mad that you didn't tell me but I get it, I'd do anything to protect my family and Lia too", Em said placing her hand on my shoulder as I tried to choke back my tears.
"I have to ask you something", I said to Em, one burning question that's been on my mind ever since today at Paul's house when everyone found out. The look on Ems face told me she knew what I was going to ask.
"Leah said she moved on and was happy again, is that true?", I asked, sadness lacing my voice as I regret asking. Wanting to believe that she hadn't moved on.
"I'm sorry Y/N, she met a girl a couple months ago, Vanessa, Leah wasn't sure at first but they've been dating ever since and-"
"I don't need the details Em", I said as my voice cracked and I ordered another drink, Em sending me a sympathetic smile.
"I mean what did I expect? She thought I was dead right? She had every right to move on and be happy, and if she is truly happy then I won't get in the way of that", I muttered sadly.
"We should get going, you can stay at mine and Lias tonight", Em said and I shook my head, "that's not a good idea", I replied but Em just dragged me outside as we got in a taxi.
We pulled up to her house after paying the driver, both of us giggling like children as Em couldn't get the key in the door. Suddenly it swung open to reveal Lia.
"Em are you seriously drunk?", she said laughing before her eyes locked with mine. She just smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug which took me by surprise.
"Sorry about what happened at Paul's, I wanted to stay but we had to make sure Leah was okay. But for what it's worth Y/N, I'm not mad, you're alive and that's all that matters", she said softly as me and Em walked inside, "thanks Lia, again I'm sorry", I slurred out.
"You're also drunk", she laughed as she said I could sleep in the spare room which I was quickly made aware of the fact that this used to be Leah's room. She moved in with them after I 'died'.
"Sorry, she bought a new place a few weeks ago and she hasn't collected all her stuff yet", Lia mumbled as I just shook my head, "it's fine, thanks again Lia, I'll see you in the morning", I said as Lia smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her. I got into the bed and wrapped the duvet around me. Damn it. These sheets still smell like her. The thought of her being with someone else had me tossing and turning all night until I eventually fell asleep.
