Not to be found

Chapter 41 - Close

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N
This chapter contains what I like to call 'sauce' if you don't like this sort of thing then you can just skip past the part that is labelled with ‼️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm due to meet Sophia early for breakfast, I quietly slip out of bed as I untangle Noah's limbs from around my body. He stirs but he soon settles again when I place a kiss on his cheek and a pillow next to him which he then hugs close to his body. I smile as I creep into the bathroom.

I wash my hair and body, as I step out of the shower I brush my teeth and hair and wrap it up into a bun. I then pull on a pair of blue skinny jeans, a t-shirt with some sort of slogan on it and a dark purple hoodie, I slide my ID card into my front pocket and walk along the corridor to the lift.

"Good morning Miss Grey," the waitress says to me as the doors ping open, "Miss Archer is already here."

Soph smiles at me as she surveys my face; one side is completely grazed from where I was forced to the floor, I have a black eye on the opposite side and a part of my lip is cracked open, a steri strip holding it together.

"How are you?" I can see the sympathy in her eyes.

I know she's just trying to be friendly, but I don't want it. I don't want the sympathy. This is my problem, my screwed up family and my secrets to unveil.
I never knew that when I set out this would be the outcome, this would be my fate. I never knew what I would uncover.

"I've been better," I honestly say, "but I'm okay, I mean I'll be okay."

She picks up the cafetière and pours coffee into my mug, "well I'm always here okay? I'm here when you want to talk."

"I know," I smile, "I'm here for you too."

I don't know what I'd do without Soph, she's like my rock. She's a true friend.

The waitress brings out two bowls of oats, I choose the strawberry yoghurt and add some blueberries, banana and raspberries. I mix it all together and add a tea spoon of honey. But just as I'm about to put the first spoonful in my mouth an out of breath and worried looking Noah and Ed turn the corner and stare down both me and Soph.

"What were you thinking?" Noah asks raising his hands in the air.

I drop my spoon feeling confused, "what do you mean?"

"What do you mean?" He asks raising his voice a little louder, "we have been running around all over the place looking for you two, what if something happened?"

"I'm sorry," I say feeling bad, "I should have left a note."

"It was my idea," Soph says, "I just wanted to meet Lacey on her own, we didn't mean to scare you guys."

They both join us sitting at the table, Noah wraps one of his hands around my thigh and gently squeezes it in a way of saying apology accepted. Ed on the other hand just gives his sister evils the entire time. He's very protective when it comes to Soph, she hates it but I love the way that he cares for her.

We sit in silence whilst we eat, nothing but the sound of the news on the TV. There are no longer any reports on me, I could not be happier. I was sick and tired of seeing my face day in day out, the constant anxiety of always being watched, always being looked out for.

"Good morning," Mike's voice sounds from around the corner, "I thought I'd find you where the food is," he chuckles.

He's carrying a red file in his hand, making him look like he means business. "We're expecting you in examination Lacey once you're all finished up here."