Needed You

Chapter Nine

The weeks progressed as usually dull and mundane as they had been before I met Levi.
We hadn't seen much of each other in that time. I'd messaged a few times, and he'd replied, but I hadn't shown my face. Once, for coffee and a walk, which was nice, but didn't quite feel the same.

To most, it wasn't a long enough time for either of us to form any sort of attachment that seemed strong enough to get upset over. Yet, I missed him. For as much as Jacques relentlessly flirted, and Austin incessantly bullied, I missed them too.

I'd obviously regurgitated some deep rooted trauma in Levi from the way I'd behaved - he was much more standoffish now, even when we did speak - but at least he hadn't completely cut me off as a lost cause. Even if it was just a couple of text exchanges and a lukewarm drink one afternoon. At least it was something to tether me to sanity.

My father had returned home. The environment was tense, and I noticed even Freya had picked up on that. She spoke less. She spent most of her time in her room. Every Friday, she asked if she could see Jas. I could tell she doubted me when I told her each time that they were all busy.

Dad: I have a work Christmas retreat again this year. I'll be gone until New Year's Day.

I scoff at the message.

Felicity: Again? What about Freya?

Dad: I will transfer you some money to get her gifts. If she asks, I'll ring her Christmas morning.

He wouldn't. He never did.

It was very clear to me, even from a young age, that the only one of my parents that wanted children was my mother. It was more obvious now, with my father as absent as he was, not even making the time for his eight year old daughter over Christmas.

"Piece of shit." I mutter, pocketing my phone.

"Felicity?" I turn to Erika, phone pressed to her ear. "Can you go collect from the nurses office?"
I frown. "What? Why?"

"Little girl up there is asking after you, none of her emergency contacts are answering. I've got here covered." Still confused, I pick up my key card off of the table, making my way toward the nurse. It isn't far, through a set of double doors towards the staff rooms. I scan myself into the corridor, slowing to a stop outside to knock lightly before poking my head in.

"You needed me?" I let my eyes flit across the room. First, the nurse, who offers me a kind smile. Then, Jasmine, whose tear streaked face looks back at me. My mood immediately plummets. "Oh God, what's happened?"

"Nothing that isn't completely normal." The nurse, Sarah, assures, giving Jas a consoling rub on her shoulder. "Jas has had a visit from mother nature."

I sigh with relief, hand to my chest as I enter. "Oh, that's all?" I crouch opposite Jasmine, who fidgets in her chair, rain jacket tied around her waist. "Well, it's normal for your age! What's the matter, does it hurt?"

"I believe it's her first one." Jas looks completely mortified by the fact, sniffling a little more. "She was caught a bit off guard." Only then do I recognise the familiarity of her posture. The covering of her bottom half, and the way she seems to slant herself to sit on her thigh.

"Oh, Jas." I pull her into a chaste hug, whispering to her, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"They all laughed at me." She whimpers, wiping the fresh fall of tears with the heels of her palms.

"Jasmine said you were good friends with her brothers, and since they're not answering, I wondered if you'd be able to take her home? I'll make sure it gets authorised on a family emergency," Sarah says, glancing sympathetically at Jas. "I think it would be beneficial for her to have some girl advice, given home life." She fires me a look, one that speaks volumes without her having to utter a word. Her mum is gone. She's surrounded by men who, stereotypically, don't handle this sort of thing all too well.