AKARI
I tightened my ankle brace, today my ankle woke up feeling more painful than normal. I stood up straight and walked over to my dresser and looked at myself in the mirror. My usual dark circles under my dull eyes, I sighed at the sight.
I was wearing my usual outfit, a dark hoodie, matching sweatpants and socks. I slid on one of my crocs as my other had a brace on it. I waddled out of my room and made my way outside. I was lucky I didn't run into anyone familiar.
I waddled closer to my desired destination, the koi fish pond. This has become my favorite spot in the entire house, I came here to think and that's what I'm doing right now.
It's been three days since the conversation with Domenico. He gave me enough information to know that he's been through shit and he trusted me enough to tell me, so should I tell him too? Wouldn't it be unfair to just tell him and not my other brothers? Do they trust me enough too?
All these questions with little to no answers. I sighed deeply as I stared at the fish swimming in the water. I will tell them. During dinner. But how would I even begin? Where do I even start? They're obviously some parts I'm going to leave out. Like the rape, that's embarrassing to talk about.
"I knew i'd find you here" A soft voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Mrs. Gardener. I hadn't even noticed how dark it had gotten, the koi fish swam in the now lit pond making the view more mesmerizing.
I felt her take a seat next to me and we sat in a silence for a few moments. The crickets making as much noise as they could, emphasizing the silence in a way. I was almost drawn back into my thoughts until Mrs. Gardener spoke, "What are you doing out here?" She asked, now I could feel her look at the side of my face.
My eyes never drifting from the pond I responded, "Just thinking" I said with a slight shrug. "About...?" She dragged, insinuating I continue the sentence, but I stayed silent.
"Right, we're not there yet" she said taking my silence as hesitation. "No, I'm just confused that's all." I said truthfully, normally I'd continue to be silent but I felt like I had to give her a reason for my silence.
I only heard her sigh as the silence creeped in again. "You know my husband used to come here a lot. He was always thinking, could never catch a break. He'd come here for some quiet time, alone." Mrs. Gardener spoke, breaking the silence.
I looked at her and noticed her staring at a specific spot by the edge of the pond. "He told me that when he'd focus on the sound of nature, his thoughts would fade away, worries forgotten and fears non existent. He was free. At least now he's one with the nature, I understand him now. And when I want to hear his voice, I come out here" she says sighing deeply and sniffled a bit.
I looked at her again expecting to see tears but there were none, they were all just brimmed in her eyes but none fell. It was a sad sight, so I did something that surprised me as much as the next person. I hugged her.
I had a hand brushing through her hair and the other rubbing her back. I held her like how I wished someone to hold me when I cried. She shook in my arms indicating that she was crying but I heard no sound except for occasional sniffles. After a while it grew silent, I still held her in my arms and waited for her to calm down. She finally separated from me and looked at me with red eyes.
"Thank you. I came out here to tell you that dinner is almost ready but I think it is now because of my meltdown, remind me to never do that again" she giggled and I looked at her with a serious look. We don't joke about meltdowns, especially not with me. And she saw, that caused her smile to drop. She nods and stands up leaving me alone.
I sighed heavily and ran a hand through my hair. Get it together Akari. I stood up and made my way to the house. The warmth of the house was a huge contrast to the cold air outside. I made my way to the dining room and as I entered, I could see everyone was seated and as usual stopped talking when I walked in.
I went to sit at my usual spot which was two seat away from everyone else but was stopped by...Alexandros? "Come closer" he said looking at me with a soft look in his eyes yet his facial expression remained stoic. I did as he said and found myself sitting next to Neiva. I remember the last time that happened.
This time I actually dished for myself, just small portions though. I set my plate down and began to eat. I was shocked and so was everyone else, but I wasn't about to stop anytime soon. It was a quiet dinner, nobody spoke and we just ate in silence. A comfortable silence.
As we waited for desert, the silence remained. Should I tell them now? No I can't, I will ruin the surprisingly peaceful dinner. But when will I do it, if not now?
"I'm ready" I said my eyes locked to the empty table in front of me. "Ready to?" Asked someone, it wasn't Domenico and neither was it Alexandros since I had their voices memorized, but it was a guy. Not once did I look up.
"To open up."
~~~~~~
A/N
Hey guys, I'm really sorry for not updating sooner, I had planned to give y'all a chapter for Christmas and one for New Year's but I guess that didn't happen.
Anyways, should I include Akari's love story in this book or make a whole other book?
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Broken Pieces
FanfictionA 20 year old girl who lived with her mother her whole life. Having to endure the torture she went through growing up. This girl had no name, no form of identification. The girl and her mother got into a horrific accident leading to the death of he...