Anti-Hero || Leah Clearwater

25 - Hit the brakes

"I try to go out
But every time I leave the house
Something reminds me
Of what's now behind me"

Thru These Tears - LANY

Despite what the majority of the pack - packs ­­- could think, Leah had never liked the drama.

She had liked to make people angry - and, yes, unconformable -, but she had never liked to be in the spotlight.

Especially since all her strength was currently focused on not collapsing under the weight of her thoughts.

"Hi, Leah," Emily said to her, a little tentative smile on her lips, "How are you?"

Leah had spent the last two days crying and trying to pick up the pieces of herself that she felt she had lost forever. In the meantime, she dreaded the moment when her mother would decide to grill her to figure out what she had been up to for the past two months. And, at the moment, she found herself facing her ex, her cousin - her ex's current girlfriend, just to remind her that when Leah decided to trust someone, she messed up big time.

"Good," Leah replied, "Never been better."

Her aunt had the good sense not to comment on her lie.

"That's great! We missed you here," Emily smile was now big enough to be believable.

"Do you guys need something?" aunt Wendy asked to Sam and Emily. Sam was scrutinizing Leah's face. She, for her part, was trying to figure out if she could ignore the couple and continue her work or if she was obligated to join the conversation.

"Sam just wanted to see if you need any help," Emily said quickly to her mother.

Aunt Wendy shook her head, "Thank you, but I have Leah today."

Yeah, Leah was regretting her choice of that morning. She would have gladly spared herself that awkward moment.

A long silence followed her aunt's words. It was clear that none of them knew how to break the awkwardness. Leah hoped that one of them would take the hint and leave as soon as possible.

Emily placed her hand on Sam's bicep, "Sam, could you grab my phone from the car, please?"

Sam gave her a puzzled look, and Leah noticed that Emily's eyes were trying to communicate something to him. Whatever Sam picked up from them, he sighed and after nodding, turned to leave. As soon as he crossed the door, Emily turned to Leah. Leah noticed that her cousin was nervously biting her lower lip.

"Do you have something to tell me?" Leah asked her. It was clear to her that that little act was solely for her benefit.

Emily approached her, "I asked your mother about you yesterday, but she told me you were in bed, feeling unwell."

Leah didn't answer, there was no need to.

"I wanted to see if you'd like to meet for coffee," she continued, "today... or tomorrow, not-"

"Why didn't you ask me in front of Sam?" Leah interrupted her. She could hear her aunt behind her pretending to be busy, just so she wouldn't eavesdrop.

"What?" Emily seemed surprised.

Leah sighed, "You sent him out before you asked me. Why?"

Emily seemed embarrassed, "I didn't want to put you in a difficult position by asking it in front of him."

Because she knew Leah would refuse, making her look like the usual resentful person, while Emily would come out looking like a saint. And Sam would take it out on Leah, telling her that she never thought about other people's feelings, only about herself.