So it has taken me a while to update. I wanted to write but I just couldn't focus. Thank you all so much for your reviews. You are all so sweet.
Wanda
I decide not to go back downstairs and eat dinner. I just want to be alone. I can't believe I agreed to have therapy with Jeb. I hate therapy, and it never helps me feel better. If anything, therapy always makes me feel worse.
There is a soft knock on my door, and I quietly get out of bed to answer it. I let out a small gasp of surprise when I see Ian.
"Hey. I thought you might want to have your dinner up here tonight." Ian rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "But if anyone asks, tell them I came up her to beg you to eat with us and you refused."
I am shocked. Did he really disobey his parents just to make me feel comfortable? "No Ian, don't. I d-don't want to get you in t-trouble," I beg.
"No, Wanda, I won't get into trouble. Sure, my parents told me to ask you to have dinner with us, but I knew you wouldn't want to, so I just brought your dinner up." Ian smiles crookedly. "I promise I won't get into trouble."
I look at him incredulously. How could he not get in trouble for disobeying a direct order? I can see the realization in Ian's blue eyes. I won't do anything to get him into trouble.
"I won't get in trouble for bringing your meal up, but I will get into trouble if don't eat at all." Ian smirks lightly. "Just please eat this." Ian hands me a steaming plate of pasta.
"Thank you," I whisper. Ian smiles, and my heart stops before picking up again at a faster pace. He turns around and is about to close the door when I have a desperate urge to keep him here.
"Wait!" I say a little louder than my usually whisper. He spins around quickly, and I jump back slightly. "Um, w-would you like to s-stay up here with me?" I twirl a piece of hair around my finger and wait nervously for his answer.
"Of course. Are you sure though?" Ian answers sincerely.
"Yeah. I-I'm sure." Ian smiles again and I can't help but smile back.
Ian walks over to my bed and sits down on the end of my bed. I follow and sit down on the other side of my bed cautiously. Ian looks away from me and stares at my ceiling. Oh no. Did I make him angry? I am about to ask him what I did when he turns back to me. "Are you going to eat?" I stare at him confusedly. "I thought you didn't like when people watched you eat, so I looked away."
My jaw actually drops, and I couldn't close it. I was speechless. "Y-your right. Um t-thank you." My apology is lame, but I am still in shock. How can someone be so kind and considerate?
Ian turns back away, and I quickly eat what I can on my plate. I want him to turn back around and look at me. "I'm finished." I whisper. Ian practically jumps back around and smiles at me like what just happened was normal.
"I have something to tell you," Ian says carefully. Oh God. They are going to kick me out. They realized how hopeless I am. They are going to lock me in the basement. They are going to torture me. I choke on my breath and look at him.
"Melanie and my mom are throwing a party for you tomorrow," Ian smiles sympathetically. Wait what? I want to laugh. I can feel it bubbling up inside me and I press my lips together in a smile. I burst into a fit of quiet giggles. I want to stop, but I can't. The laughter is like a fresh breeze - it cleans its way through my body, making everything feel good. I stop when I see his confused face, but that just made me laugh even harder. I can't remember the last time I laughed. I can't remember the last time I ever felt this good. My brain is warning me that Ian could hurt me for laughing at him any moment, but I have been alone with him for a long time now and he is staying five feet away.
I slowly calm down and try to explain myself. "I'm sorry. Please I d-didn't mean anything by it. I just c-couldn't stop. P-please don't hurt me." I say automatically.
"Wanda, my family and I would never, ever hurt you. I am so happy that you are happy. But could you perhaps explain your laughter? I thought you would be upset about the party." Ian smiled shyly.
"Well, I was v-very scared about what you w-were going to say when you said you had something to t-tell me. I thought you were going to k-kick me out, so when you said you wanted to t-throw me a party, I found it hilarious." The corners of my mouth lift up slightly.
"Wanda, we will never kick you out. We all care about you." Ian reaches to take my hand, but then slowly retracts his arm when he thinks better of it. "By the way, I love your laugh."
I know I must be blushing. "It's b-been a while since I laughed like that. T-thank you."
"It was my pleasure, ma'am," Ian responds in a fake southern accent.
"So, what e-exactly is this party celebrating?" I ask nervously.
"Well it isn't really a party. The whole family is just going to dress nicely and we are going to have a fancy meal in the dining room. I guess we are just welcoming you to the family and celebrating your first therapy session," Ian responds matter-of-factly.
"Oh right, t-the therapy session." My stomach instantly twists into knots. I feel sick.
"It's going to be okay, Wanda. My dad is a really good therapist…" Ian trails off, knowing that what he was about to say wouldn't help.
"I-I'm sure he is. It's just t-that every therapist I went to would only a-ask if I was okay. They d-didn't even believe me," I stutter out. I feel my throat start closing and a tear falls from my watery eyes. I quickly wipe away the tear and look up at Ian. He looks like he is in pain.
"W-What's wrong?" I say worriedly, my tears long forgotten. Ian opens his mouth like is going to say something, then he abruptly shuts it. He looks down at the bed, and I follow his gaze. He takes a calming breath and his hand slowly moves towards mine, as if not to scare me. My whole body stiffens, and I am about to jump away when his hand stops in the center of the bed.
"Do you trust me?" Ian whispers. I look at him like he is crazy. "Okay stupid question. Do you want to trust me?"
I have no idea. Everyone I trusted broke me into one million pieces. There isn't enough glue in the world to put me back together again. But I have never met someone like Ian. "I don't know. I-I guess."
"Okay. Trust comes with baby steps. So, Wanda, may I please hold your hand?" Ian smiles shyly. I nod slowly, unable to form words. Ian's hand moves toward mine. He hesitates, then lightly takes my hand in his, interlocking our fingers. He grips my loose hand in his, holding on. My stiff body relaxes slightly, and Ian holds my hand until all of the tension leaves my body. Now I am and the one gripping his hand.
Some O'Wanda for all of you guys. The next chapter will be the therapy session. Please review, they make me so happy!