Trauma changes people. trauma changes everyone.
All rights for the 9-1-1 cast and all rights to most of the plot goes to ABC. New plots and new characters belong to me 🫶
Book continues in Apparition! 🫶
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When we got home, I went straight to my room, locking myself in there. They can't see me fall apart. Not again. I fail to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I always knew I was a problem.
It's nothing new to me. They always reminded me that I was a problem. But, it's been a while since I heard it.
Hearing it again, reopened all the feelings and all the memories.. it makes me feel weak. It makes me pathetic.
I shouldn't let something bother me this bad, but it's the last straw. My grandparents have never cared about me.
It's obvious. It was only Chris and Anna. If I died right now, they wouldn't show up to the funeral. They would just send a letter in the mail saying they couldn't get on a flight in time.
It's stupid. I'm not important to them. Never have been.
*******
Someone tries opening my door. "Lydia?" I hear Maddie say. My head snaps up. "Lydia, it's Maddie. Can you let me in? Please?" Maddie asks.
I stand up and unlock the door, opening it. "Oh, sweetheart." Maddie says, seeing my tear stained face.
She comes in and pulls me into her arms, rubbing my back as I cry more. "I always knew I was a problem. Hearing them say it again, just- it reminded me how much of a problem I was." I say. "Hey, hey." Maddie says, pulling away and cupping my cheeks in her hands.
"You are not a problem, okay? You are the most beautiful and sweetest girl I know. Do not let them make you think you are a problem. They were supposed to take care of you, it was their job and they failed you. Do not blame yourself for their stupidity and laziness, okay?" Maddie says. I nod and she pulls me back into her.
We stand like that for a while before someone else joins the hug. It's Buck. And Dad joins as well. I can tell Dad's crying. His hand is shaking and so is shoulders.
We all stand there, hugging. And for once, everything feels good.
