The Girl In The Suit

Gemma

I bring my head up from my Nutella covered pancakes, realising I must look like some fool. I turn my head around and I see my dad standing there. I suddenly feel angry for the first time in days. I stand up and face him.

"Fancy seeing you around town. Where were you when your son overdosed on Saturday night?" Thank God we're the only ones here.

"Overdoses aren't real, Gretel. Just a conspiracy created by pussies who've never had a pull. Just like lesbians. Is this the Looney Club?"

The smell of vodka off of him is stink. I suddenly grab him by his ratty shirt and bring him outside.

"Whats your fucking problem? Your son almost died, he has to go to rehab. Your daughter has depression, she cuts herself. And where our parents in all this? Off getting wasted at J's. And they don't come back for days. That's no life for any of us. We're supposed to have parents who love us no matter what, not whatever the hell you guys are. You're damaging us. Why don't you just go away until you decide to come back and be the parents you were 2 years ago? Until then, get out of my sight."

He looks shunned. He says nothing as he turns on his heel and walks away to the back of the town.

He listened to me for once. He fucking listened.

I just stand up against the wall and begin to cry. I roll up my sleeve and look at my arm. I squeeze my eyes shut and cry harder.

"Are you OK, Gem?"

I open my eyes, roll down my sleeve and turn around quickly. I see Anne standing there in front of me. I wipe my eyes and I straighten my position. I clear my throat.

"I'm fine. I'm going back in now."

She puts a hand to my stomach, stopping me from going anywhere. She then proceeds to roll up the sleeve of my hoodie.

And this is where shit happens

She looks at it and sighs.

"Did you do this to yourself, G?"

I roll my eyes and nod slightly.

She's definitely going to break up with me, and we've only been together 8 hours.

"Why didn't you tell me? I've been through it before, I could've helped you. I can still help you now, if you let me."

I look at her, straight into her eyes. I roll down my sleeve and I put my hand over my eyes and turn around, and back to her again.

"Because I used to be your bully. I shouldn't ask for help from you. You probably should hate me. I should hate you. That's how bullying goes. But I wouldn't bully you again for the world. But you can't help me. Its what I do. I hurt myself. Not as much anymore, but I still do it. I may as well do it until I kill myself, that would be better fo-"

"How dare you say that! You have tons of people who love you! I love you, Freddie loves you, Alison told me that she would do anything for you and your brother. You're a good person. You're funny, kind, beautiful. Yes, you did bully me. Yes, I did go through a depression stage because of it. But that's all in the past. You can start fresh today, by talking to someone, and I'm going to help you with that. I'm not leaving you."

Her hands are in mine, and we're both crying. I remove my right hand from hers and I wipe my eyes. I then wipe hers, and she laughs. She smiles and she looks at me. I then finally find the words.

"Thank you." I lean my forehead against hers and my voice is soft. "I think I'd like that. The help."

"I'll give you that number. I still have it in case of emergency. I'm here 24/7. Always will be, for anything you need." She then hugs me. She's such a calming person.

"Thanks again. And I'm sorry for scaring you. I'll be OK."

She separates us from the embrace and puts her hands into mine again.

"Its OK. I just can't afford to lose you, G." Her voice is soft. "I love you, Gemma Welch."

I feel like I might just explode with happiness. I've wanted to hear her say that since I met her. Instead, I smile hugely and I kiss her. I can't believe its all happening. The butterflies are going mad.

We separate after what feels like a lifetime and I take her hands in mine. I smile at her and I say, "I love you too, Anne O Brien."

She smiles huge at me and she turns around to my side.

"Let's have some more pancakes,  Bully Girl.", she says teasingly.

I punch her lightly on the shoulder, and we burst out laughing.

"Let's go, Lesbo."

We walk back into the café and the girls are sitting there with their plates and mugs taken away. Their sipping on bottles of coke and Tasha makes an annoying slurping sound while Gabrielle smokes at us.

"What?", I say.

"You kids are adorable."