Hearts of trouble (under development)

3 boys 1 girl

Back at the house, the air was thick with tension. Abigail and Eric were locked in a heated argument in the living room, their voices escalating with each exchange. Shawn and Jack stood off to the side, watching with a mix of amusement and concern.

"Abigail, you can't just jump to conclusions like that," Eric said, throwing his hands up in frustration. "Not everything has to be some dramatic mystery."

"Oh, really?" Abigail shot back, crossing her arms. "That's easy for you to say. You don't know what it's like to have secrets dropped on you out of nowhere. You don't get what it feels like to have your whole life turned upside down."

Eric sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get that it's hard, but lashing out at everyone around you isn't going to fix anything."

Abigail scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "You don't understand, Eric. You've had it easy. A perfect family, no hidden siblings or parents lying to you for years. You think I'm overreacting, but I'm just trying to process all of this."

As the argument escalated, Shawn leaned in closer to Jack, muttering under his breath, "Guess we should have brought popcorn for this."

Jack chuckled, his gaze shifting between Abigail and Eric. "You're not kidding. But I think it's about time someone steps in before they tear each other apart."

Eric crossed his arms, clearly growing tired of the back-and-forth. "I'm just saying, Abigail, that you're not the only one dealing with stuff. You're acting like the world revolves around your problems. We all have things we're dealing with."

Abigail clenched her fists, her face turning red with frustration. "Oh, so now you're going to act like I'm selfish? Like I don't care about anyone else? Fine, Eric, if that's what you think, then maybe I don't need to be around people who don't understand what I'm going through!"

Shawn, sensing things were reaching a breaking point, finally stepped in, raising his hands to signal a truce. "Okay, guys, let's all take a deep breath here. Abigail, you're right; you're dealing with a lot. And Eric, I get that you're trying to help, but maybe let's take it down a notch?"

Jack nodded, backing up Shawn. "We're all friends here, remember? Let's not lose that over some misunderstandings. Everyone's dealing with their own stuff, and maybe if we listen to each other, we'll get through this without biting each other's heads off."

Abigail looked away, her expression softening just a bit. Eric sighed, glancing at her with a reluctant smile. "Alright, maybe I came off a little harsh. I just... I care, Abigail. I want to help, but sometimes you make it hard to reach you."

Abigail met his gaze, her own expression softening as well. "I know, Eric. I'm sorry. It's just... everything feels so out of control right now, and sometimes I don't know how to deal with it."

Eric nodded, his voice more gentle. "We're all here for you, okay? Even if we don't understand everything, we're still here."

Shawn and Jack exchanged a relieved look as the tension in the room eased. It seemed, at least for now, they'd managed to steer things away from another blow-up. And maybe, just maybe, this group could find a way to support each other through all the chaos.

The next day at school, Eric and Jack were sitting together in the courtyard, their expressions serious as they talked. It wasn't often that they discussed anything too personal, but Abigail's recent outbursts had been on both of their minds.

Eric sighed, glancing over at Jack. "I don't know, man. I mean, I knew Abigail had a lot on her plate, but lately, it feels like she's just... I don't know, angrier than usual."

Jack nodded, looking thoughtful. "I've noticed it too. She's got a lot of fire in her, but it's like everything's been turned up a notch. She's been going through a lot, with all this family stuff coming to light, and I guess she's struggling to deal with it."

Eric frowned, clearly worried. "It's more than just frustration, though. Sometimes, it's like she doesn't even want to talk about what's bothering her. She just bottles it up until it explodes, and everyone around her ends up catching the fallout."

Jack leaned back, considering. "Have you tried talking to her about it? Like, really talking?"

Eric shook his head. "I don't know how to bring it up without setting her off. She's always defensive, and if I say anything, I'm worried she'll think I'm just judging her."

Jack sighed, crossing his arms. "I get that. But maybe she needs someone to push her a little. She might not like it, but at the end of the day, she's got people who care about her-she just needs to see that."

Eric looked down, thinking about what Jack had said. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Maybe it's time to stop tiptoeing around her and just be honest. She deserves that, even if it's hard to hear."

Jack gave him a reassuring smile. "If anyone can get through to her, it's you, Eric. Just remember, she's not just angry for no reason. She's carrying a lot of pain, and it's coming out in the only way she knows."

Eric nodded, feeling a newfound sense of determination. "Alright. I'll try talking to her. I just hope she'll actually listen."

As they finished their conversation, both Eric and Jack felt a renewed commitment to being there for Abigail, even if it meant facing her anger head-on.

Later that evening, Eric and Abigail sat in the small, cozy apartment Eric shared with Jack. The usually lighthearted space felt heavier as they settled into the worn-out couch, the silence between them thick with unspoken thoughts.

Eric glanced at Abigail, trying to gauge her mood. She looked distant, lost in her own world, her gaze fixed on something far beyond the walls of the apartment. After a moment, he finally broke the silence.

"Abigail," he started gently, "I know you've been going through a lot. And I know... I haven't always been the best at saying the right thing. But I'm here. And I want you to know that."

Abigail scoffed slightly, a bitter smile crossing her face. "It's not that easy, Eric. You don't understand. Every time I think I've finally got a grip on things, something else falls apart. It's like I'm just... I don't know. I feel like I'm fighting everyone all the time."

Eric leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he looked at her intently. "Maybe it feels like that because you're not letting anyone in. I get that it's hard, Abby. But you're not alone. You don't have to keep all this anger to yourself."

Abigail's expression softened, her defenses lowering just a bit. She looked away, her voice quieter. "It's not just anger, Eric. It's... everything. Finding out that Mom lied to me all my life, learning that Lily and I are actually full sisters, watching her go through her own issues... It's just overwhelming. And sometimes, I don't even know who I am anymore."

Eric reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're still you, Abigail. Underneath all the anger and hurt, you're still the same person. And you've got people who care about you, even if you feel like everything's falling apart. We're here for you-me, Jack, Lily. You don't have to go through this alone."

She met his gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's just... I don't want to be a burden. I see what everyone's dealing with, and I don't want to add to it. But sometimes... sometimes I just feel so lost."

Eric's voice softened, full of understanding. "You're not a burden, Abby. And nobody expects you to have it all together. We're all figuring it out as we go. But if you keep pushing everyone away, you're only hurting yourself."

Abigail took a deep breath, finally allowing a tear to slip down her cheek. "I don't know how to be any other way, Eric. This anger-it's all I've ever known. It feels like it's the only thing keeping me from falling apart completely."

Eric pulled her into a gentle hug, holding her tightly. "Then let us help you piece things back together, bit by bit. You don't have to carry this alone."

They stayed like that for a while, Abigail letting down her guard and allowing herself to feel vulnerable. It was a small step, but for Abigail, it was a start. A start to healing, to trusting, and to maybe, just maybe, finding her way through the darkness.