I waited {L.S}

2.3

"Lou, time to get up," Lottie said, shaking my shoulder. I groaned and rolled over, keeping my eyes shut. "You have to take your medicine. Get up."

I shook my head. Lottie sighed. A few seconds later, I heard her calling for our dad. I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair, putting my face in my hands.

"He's fine, Lot!" Dad called back. "If he's tired, let him sleep!"

I stood up and walked to the hallway, walking past Lottie. She went to grab my shoulder but I kept walking.

When I got to the kitchen, Dad smiled at me. "You can go back to bed."

I shook my head. I'm okay.

"Alright, buddy. Want something to eat?"

"Yes," Lottie said as she sat down.

"Lot, he's-"

"He needs to keep eating," Lottie argued.

I sighed and set my head on my arms. This was one thing I didn't miss. I didn't miss the constant arguments over what I should be doing.

"Lottie, I know you're worried, but he's not going to get better if you're pushing at him to get better. If he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't have to, and that's the end of the discussion. Over there you play mom. Here, you're a kid. Actually, why don't you see if Jace is doing anything, go hang out with him."

"You're..." She pointed at dad and moved her hands in a random pattern, "allowing me to go hang out with my boyfriend?"

"Yes, I am. Now go talk to him before I change my mind."

She smiled and jumped off the stool. Then he turned his attention back to me. "Are you hungry?"

I shrugged. I was, but not a lot, plus he had to throw away what I didn't eat last night. He set down the rag he had in his hands and walked over to me. "What if just you and I go get something to eat? We can go where ever you want."

I don't like going outside.

That caused him to tap his fingers against the counter. "I know a small little diner. Not a lot of people go there." I nodded and he smiled. "Okay, let's go."

We stood up and he went to grab his keys while I put on my shoes. When he came back down, he handed me some pills and a water bottle.

I pointed at one I hadn't seen before, looking up at my dad with a raised eyebrow.

"It's one to help with anxiety. It just helps keep you calm. If you don't want to, you don't have to take it. I just thought it would help make it a little easier." I opened the water and took all of them, handing it back to him when I was done.

We sat down at a booth and I felt a little off, but I wasn't checking around me every few seconds, either. I figured it was just the anxiety pill I took.

A woman came over and smiled at my dad, notepad in her hand. "Hey, Dan. What can I get you?"

He looked up at me. "Do you like milkshakes?" I shrugged. "Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla?"

I thought for a few seconds before finger spelling vanilla. He ordered two then we looked over the menu. "Get whatever you want, alright?"

I didn't want to try to sign French toast, so when he was done looking, I pointed to it on my menu and he nodded.

I relaxed into the seat and pulled at my sleeve, focusing on that for a while. I looked up after a few seconds, and my dad had a small smile. "You feel okay?"

I nodded. Kinda weird, but it's not bad.

"A little spacey?" I nodded again. "Okay, just making sure. Nothing else, right?"

I thought for a few seconds. My body feels kinda light.

He nodded, then the waitress came back with our milkshakes. I took a sip and smiled, tracing my fingers up and down the glass.

"This Louis?" She asked. I looked at her and nodded,  making her smile. "Your dad hasn't stopped talking about you for the last few months. It's great to meet you, love."

Nice to meet you, I signed, which my dad said aloud.

"Have you guys decided what you want?"

My dad ordered and I continued to sip on the shake. I saw my dad shift how he was sitting, so I looked up at him. "You sure you're okay?"

I nodded. I was fine. Right? I was supposed to feel like this. I wasn't supposed to be worried about Ken- him- popping up. I turned around, checking behind me suddenly. I chewed on my lip, turning back and pulling at my sleeves, balling them into my fists.

"Louis." I shook my head. I was fine. I do this a lot, where I'm just over thinking. "Hey, it's fine."

I'm fine, I signed. I'm okay.

"I don't think you are," he said seriously. "Hey, it's okay."

He moved next to me, hugging me to his side. I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to calm down. They hadn't found him. He's still missing, and they want to say I hurt Harry. I didn't hurt Harry. Why would I hurt the only person who would protect me?

"I told you, you were going to regret this," he growled, picking Harry up by his collar.

"Stop! I said I would go with you! Stop!" I yelled. He just looked at me before literally throwing Harry to the ground. "Stop hurting him, please."

"I told you to keep following my rules, and you didn't."

"I'll go with you, just please," I whispered. "I'll do whatever, I won't fight, please, please, let him go."

He chuckled as Harry groaned. "This was the last thing I expected. I knew he looked out for you, didn't know he'd jump in front of a train for you."

I was crying. My dad was walking me away. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I mumbled on repeat, my mind not fully caught up with the current situation.

"You're fine, Louis," my dad said, sitting me down in the car. "Look at me."

I glanced at him, then away. Harry, covered in blood. My panic attack that happened after he left. The one everyone assumed caused it. I didn't do it.

"Louis!" My dad said more urgently.

"I didn't do it," I cried. "I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him."

"I believe you. Louis, look at me, please.  I lifted my eyes to his and looked away. "It's okay. You're okay."

"I just want to be normal. I just want to be normal." I squeezed my eyes shut and felt sick. Like I could throw up at any second. "Normal."