Sadie Sturniolo

Pinky promise

Quote for chapter:
"Birds of a feather, we should stick together"~ BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish

Matt Pov:

She slowly turned round the bag to face us not making eye contact. I peered inside the bag and felt my heart break. There's was about seven water bottles, and one that had already been drank a bit. But there was also lots of snacks. "Oh it's okay Sweetie we have lots of food and water here too. Are you hungry? We can make you some dinner" Nick said. Sadie looked really confused at him. "Your going to make dinner for me?" "Yes of course we are do you not normally have dinner?" Chris asked her with an expression of only care and never judgement. "My daddy said that dinner is for grownups" she said seeming to feel uncomfortable at mentioning his name. "Well I our house dinner is for everyone" I said watching as little smile grew on her face.

We ended up ordering a McDonald's hoping that she would like it. "This one's for you" I said passing her the happy meal. She took it in her hands like it was sacred and sat on the floor beside Chris. She opened it slowly and took out the food. She then glanced round the house as if she was waiting for something or someone before she began eating. "What you did you get?" Chris asked. "Huh?" She said looking up to him with confused eyes. "Happy meals come with a little toy have you seen you one yet?" He replied pointing to the box. She reached in and pulled out a bag with a small toy inside. She opened it and pulled out a little leopard teddy. It was one of those off brand beanie boos but she seemed in love with it.

It was getting later and Sadie was yawning on the floor with her bunny and leopard in her lap. "Do you recon we should give her a bath?" I whispered to Nick. "I don't wanna make her uncomfortable but she probably needs one" he said. "Okay why don't we just ask her and if she says no then it's a no" Nick nodded at my suggestion. "Hey Sadie it's getting a bit late now would you like a bath before you go to bed?" I watched horror wash across her face. It was like I had tried to kill her rather than just ask if she wanted a bath. Sadie's face crumpled up and she began sobbing. Before any of us could say something she ran through the kitchen to my bedroom or her new bedroom. "Oh god I shouldn't have asked" I said feeling the guilt in my heart. "No no it's okay Matt we didn't know she would react like that, what's more important is that we find out what her trauma is involving the bath so we can reassure her that it will never ever happen here" Nick said rubbing my shoulder. "Should I go see her as I was the one who said it" I said reviving nods from Nick and Chris. I nervously approached my bedroom door and knocked gently. "Hey Sadie it's Matt please may I come in?" I didn't hear her say yes but I could hear her sobs coming from the other side of the door. I opened it slowly and was met with a heart breaking sight. She was sat on the floor leaning against my bed in a ball sobbing. "Hey hey it's okay sweetie, you don't have to have a bath if you don't want too. I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want too." I said calmly crouching down in front of her still keeping a distance. She peaked up to look at me with her teary eyes. "You promise?" She said her voice shaking. "I pinky promise" I said holding out my pinky finger. She looked at me hesitating. I then remembered how she didn't like physical touch at all and retracted my hand. "Oh I'm sorry I forgot you-" I was cut off by her running into my arms and wrapping her arms around my neck. I sat frozen for a second but then put my arms round her and cuddled her close. She then pulled back and held her pinky finger out to me. I smiled as our pinky's interlocked feeling my heart warm at our connection.