understanding.

chapter 8

Gracies P.O.V 

As we talked I became more relaxed because it turns out Gemma and I have a lot in common. We both adore books, love to watch Disney movies and share the same love for Nutella, because c'mon, who doesn't love Nutella? 

"So, you and Harry hey?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Nah, he's not my type." I teased, as Harry's ears perked up.

"Excuse me?" He replied lightheartedly, to show he was joking.

"What?" I replied innocently.

"You are a great actor, I'll give you that." He winked.

"Yeah, I know, it comes naturally." I flicked my hair for added affect.

The three of us laughed at my horrible joke. It felt good to know that they weren't laughing at me, they were laughing with me. 

"I guess I should head off." I sighed as I saw the time.

"No, don't leave." Harry pleaded.

"Mum will be questioning where I am, I need to go." I replied, unwilling to leave.

"Fine, but I will see you tomorrow, okay?" He asked.

"Well obviously, we have school tomorrow." I replied sarcastically.

"Oh yeah." His cheeks turned pink.

I kissed him on my way out, giving Gemma a friendly hug. 

"See you tomorrow!" I called out to Harry, as I closed my car door. 

I drove home with the feeling of happiness filling my body from the tip of my toes, to the top of my head. It was overwhelming in fact, that I nearly started crying.

Nearly.

As I approached the front door, I hastily rummaged through my bag for the keys. As I entered the house, an almost, creepy silence washed over me.

"Mum?" I called out.

"In here." She replied with what sounded like hesitance.

I walked over to where I could hear her voice, and found her reading with bruises and cuts all over her face.

"Mum, what the hell happened?" I gushed inspecting the injuries with as much gentleness as I could.

"Noth-" She took in a sharp breath as I ran my finger over a bruise, "N-nothing." She stuttered.

"Mum, tell me." I pleaded. 

"Don't worry about me, silly girl. Now go to sleep." She replied with a forced smile.

"Stop avoiding the subject." I demanded.

She took 3 big breaths before beginning. 

"I was on the way to the supermarket and I saw a group of about 4-5 guys. I tried to avoid them, but they wouldn't stop yelling snide comments at me. So, I stood up to them, standing my ground for the first time since your Father, but they ended up with the last laugh. They lurched forward and soon enough, all of them were attacking me. It was surreal actually, because of your Father I no longer felt any pain, so as they continued their harassment I just winced at a few heavy punches," She looked down at the pillow she was grasping onto, "They finally stopped when a few bystanders started dialing the police. They told everyone that if they were to call the police, they would hunt them down. They ran off down the street, looking behind them and laughing at their work." She ended. 

This made my blood boil. I paced back and forth in my Mother's room and me being the girl with the short temper, decided it would be a good idea to throw everything in sight against the wall.