Adopted by Zalfie Sequel

48

Joe dropped me off home early Christmas Eve, seen as I've not been allowed out by myself since the incident. I offered to get the train home, I was perfectly fine doing it.

He drove me to Zalfie's house, where Mum and Dad already were, they'd just got back from Wiltshire, and then my apartment to pick me up some bits to stay at their house over Christmas.

The house sounded hectic when we first arrived, but it soon quietened down the second I stepped foot inside. Dad stopped transferring presents from the doorway to the tree, and mum stopped making brunch.

After all, it was the first time they'd seen me since I had my meltdown.

It was like I had a special power, that stopped time and made everyone feel a little awkward as soon as I was in a twenty metre radius.

Joe spoke to them first, signalling to them what kind of mood I was in; it was a nonchalant one, I couldn't be bothered to speak but nothing was bothering me.

They all exchanged presents, while I sat and watched silently. Joe has already given me my presents yesterday. After a while, Joe left.

"Tia, my gorgeous, come here." Zoe whimpered, coming over to snuggle with me on the sofa. It was the first time she'd directly spoken to me since I arrived.

I rested my head in her neck while she stroked my hair. "Vent to me."

I stayed quiet for a few seconds, contemplating if I should just come out with all my feelings, or  stay quiet and keep it all in my head.

Does Zoe have the answers? Has she known all along?

Imagine getting away from that life and starting a new one with people that didn't see you as the troubled teen you were, but it turns out that all along they did. They knew everything.

"H-have you always known?" I asked quietly.

Zoe held in a breath, I could feel her tense. "Yes."

A tear fell down my cheek.

And then another, and another.

"How could you not tell me? All the times I've ranted or moaned about him causing drama, and all of the argument- even the first day of school! You were suggesting that I not fall for him!" I ranted, moving away from her. Every emotion I had seemed to pour out; anger, sadness, frustration.

"Tia, i'd never seen him before, I was aware that you had a brother, Linda told me. I didn't know it was him on the first day of school. I couldn't tell you, it would ruin you." Zoe rested her head in her hands, starting to cry herself.

So Linda knew too? It feels never ending. All of the years I've trusted these people and moaned to them that I don't know my past.

"I just don't understand how you can live with me for years, knowing that you know more about me than I do." I said quietly, more to myself than her.

"I'm sorry." She breathed.

At that moment, Alfie walked in. He'd been upstairs ever since Joe left. He looked between me and Zoe with a look of sorrow.

"I'm not even mad at you for not telling me, I'm mad at myself for not figuring it out." I groaned. It wasn't right to take it out on Zoe and Alfie, I shouldn't have done it.

Alfie took a seat next to me, sighing. "We didn't want to ruin your fresh start here by telling you that a piece of that life was here."

I understood what they were saying. It made sense why they didn't tell me, and I wasn't going to make a fuss out of it, even though it would've been nice to know.