New Gunner...

The talk x

I wake up around 10:30 am and see Leah still peacefully sleeping next to me so I quietly climb over her and out of bed to head downstairs and make us breakfast then bring it back upstairs and try wake Leah up 

Alice: "Leah"

Leah: "mhm"

Alice: "wake up, I made breakfast" she starts to wake up a bit more after I say this 

Leah: "you didn't have too Al"

Alice: "Al"

Leah: "sorry do you not want me to call you that"

Alice: "no it's okay, it's just my brother used to call me that but I haven't seen him since I was about 17"

Leah: "I'm so sorry" she smiles at me softly 

Alice: "it's okay, I'll most likely bring that up in our chat anyway"

Leah: "when would you like to have that chat"

Alice: "eat your breakfast first and then we can"

Leah: "only if you're sure"

Alice: "yes I'm sure"

Leah finishes her breakfast, puts her bowl on the bedside table and takes Alice's hands in hers 

Leah: "you ready"

Alice: "yes, so back to my childhood, it was just me my brother and my parents and everything was fine. Out of the blue my dad started going missing randomly, later we found out it was to take drugs and drink" she sniffles "it was almost like he became a different man and turned quite violent, mainly towards me, his excuse was that I would never bring good money to the family whilst playing football. He would often flip out at me and hit me, I was about 11 or 12 at the time so I had no chance standing up to him so I just took it. This carried on for years till I left the home for my career at 17 years old and never turned back since. None of the family have tried to contact me since, I don't even think they know where my career is suddenly at."

Leah: "I'm so sorry Alice" she holds her arms out and Alice falls onto Leah's chest 

Alice: "it's okay, can't really change it now"

Leah: "is that why you flinch when someone touches you and step away from hugs"

Alice: "yep, that's exactly the reason why, my dad"

Leah: "I hope you know I would never dream of doing anything like that to you, if you ever feel like you need a hug you know my arms are always open for you"

Alice: "I know Leah, thank you"

Leah: "you're so strong Alice, you know that right"

Alice: "don't Leah you will make me cry"

Leah: "you can cry if you want, don't feel embarrassed to cry"

Alice: "can we go somewhere"

Leah: "where would you like to go love"

Alice: "to Katie's house"

Leah: "umm are you sure? why do you want to go there"

Alice: "because I need to apologise for my actions last night"

Leah: "you don't need too, Katie won't be that fussed"

Alice: "I don't want any anger or awkwardness between the team, I need to go apologise"

Leah: "okay well if that's what you'd like to do, then we'll go"

They climb out of bed and change into some clothes and leave the house at 12 to head to Katie's