In His Shadow

Family

When I ambled into the carpark post school practice I found Joey lent up against his car - no JJ in sight which probably meant he had been suspended for calling Twomey a gobshite...I stopped dead, pulling my phone out of my pocket as I resolved that I would ring someone else for a spin. I was not getting in a car with him after his earlier behaviour. If Da, JJ and Gibsie were all otherwise engaged then quite frankly I would rather walk to the manor. I threw my belongings down in a jumbled heap sitting down beside them to dial.

"I take it that means you are not getting in the car with me?" He questioned pushing off from the car to walk towards me.

"Do not even speak to me" I warned holding up a hand to indicate that I was done with this conversation before it had even started.

"Come on Maya, you will be late to the Academy if you stage a protest. Just get in the car and I will apologise on the drive home"

Fuck. My. Life!

He clearly was not going to follow the goddamn instruction. I bit back the frustrated growl welling inside of me I would not communicate with him in any way. Even by making noises. Instead, I climbed to my feet and walked away from him leaving my belongings in a disorderly pile on the pavement.

"I'm sorry!" He shouted feet slapping the floor as he followed me. "Gussie explained to me that I triggered you, I didn't think Kid. If it makes you feel better he triggered me in return"

Was he fucking kidding!? Why on earth would I feel better that we both spent the afternoon wanting to crawl out of our skin!?

Still, I was glad Gibsie was switched on enough to get it. Thank the Virgin Mary for emotional intelligence from someone! Not that I really cared that Joey had triggered me, currently, I was triggered by almost everything. No. I cared that Joey had called me a liar. I had told him it was sharpie and he had assumed I was outright lying to his face.

"I was just worried, okay!? That stain on your shirt was fecking huge. I was worried you needed stitches"

Clearly he needed it spelled out for him. I span around, eyes burning with the full force of my fury as I threw the shattered remains of the sharpie on the ground at my feet. My hands immediately washing red as the inside of my pockets were still soaked. The blood drained out of his face leaching away his year round tan. But I was not finished. My blazer had only been thrown on over my hockey kit to spare me carrying it. In one swift movement I yanked my polo upwards and shoved the waistband of my skort down. Revealing the bright red mandala I had drawn across my left hip bone and the flock of birds I had drawn across my right. Just about visible underneath was a ladder of scars.

"Fuck" His voice emerged strangled as he realised the real reason for my anger.

"I told you it was a fucking sharpie! Call me a fucking liar again. I dare you." I spat abandoning all hope of giving him the silent treatment. I was far too incensed to keep my mouth closed.

Though I was surprised when his green eyes glistened with tears I refused to relent. Instead, I yanked my waistband back up covering the evidence of my weakness. "Now, I am going to ring someone else for a spin and you are going to fuck right off"

Even though Gerard's driving was terrifying it was his number I rang as I brushed past Joey and stalked back toward the carpark. Gerard would not need an explanation. He had already proved that he understood.

"Hello Mammy K" Gerard sang as he strolled into the manor in front of me.

"Johnny isn't allowed to play right now, sweetheart, he is grounded"

I could not help but laugh at that remark, in Ma's mind JJ and Gibsie would always be two little boys who had playdates. Even though their playdates now tended to include Biddies. The expression on my brothers face as I entered the kitchen only made me laugh harder he was sat at the kitchen island stabbing at his chicken looking distinctly disgruntled.