Starting Over

26. You're Lucky

I stand in front of Jackson with both hands on my hips. Jackson lays on his back in between the couch and the coffee table with one leg on the coffee table (his bad ankle) and the other under the couch as well as his crutches.

"Elle, can you stop standing there and help me get up?" He says as if he's given up.

"You're lucky it's not your bad leg under there," I say as I walk over to him. I grab the crutches first and wiggle them out.

"I've only got until next Wednesday and then they're gone." He explains as I start pulling his leg out.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Blossom, you already did," he smirks.

"Ha, funny. I'm being serious. How did you manage to fall and end up like this?" I ask bending his knee up to slide his foot out.

"That's a good question but I don't really know, to be honest," he replies, scratching his head as I hear footsteps coming from the stairs.

"What's going on here?" Jeremy, asks from behind me.

"This dumb ass got his leg and both his crutches stuck under the couch and can't get himself up," I say, finally getting him unstuck.

"Wow, okay, babe. Make me look like a total idiot," he says rolling his eyes but I know he's only joking. I pick up his crutches and lean them up against the couch. I grab Jackson's hands and pull him up. "Thanks," he says as he kisses me, completely taking me off guard.

"Umm guys, we're still here," Jeremy pops in. I pull apart from Jackson but keep my arms around his waist and turn around to face my brother and Emma.

"So what do you guys want to do in the couple of hours we have till the others come?" Jackson asks.

Jeremy opens his mouth to speak but I beat him to it.

"Let's just chill outside, get a few snacks and beers. I have little, catching up to do," I say winking to Emma. Jackson picks up his crutches and gets himself sorted before he takes Jeremy outside.

I walk into the kitchen, Emma following behind. She takes a seat on one of the stools on the other side of the bench top. As I open the cupboard to grab bits and pieces out Emma asks,  "So, how's the new life going for you?"

"I can't even explain it, Emma. I honestly don't remember the old me and I don't really want to either. It's like the therapy and boxing have done justice in such a little amount of time and it makes me think why did it never work this fast, back home? You know what I mean?" I say, not really understanding myself.

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but do you really think that it's just the therapy and the boxing that has made you get better so quickly because I think there's more to it," she explains as I empty a packet of chips in a bowl.

"Yeah, and what's that?" I ask, curiously.

"Jackson. As soon as I saw you I noticed straight away the difference in your presence and your attitude. You're glowing, Ella! And I know that it's because of Jackson," she exclaims like she is a psychic.

"Do you really think that though? I mean everyone is telling me that and I think that maybe, it's because of my previous relationships that are making me deny the fact that someone can change someone so much and with the number of people telling me that Jackson is the reason I haven't gone off rails and I'm so much more of a happier person, I start to think that maybe he is the reason that I'm getting better so fast," I say as I finish emptying boxes and packets of snacks and look up at Emma.

"Ella, you can't let your past define who you are and you can't let it be a barrier that's stopping you from realising that you are allowed to believe that someone can change you for the better," Emma finishes.