A/N:Sorry for not posting in so long, I literally wrote and rewrote this chapter five times, but for waitign so long, this is the longest chapter I've written...so there's that. Anyway the only reason why I really forced myself to finish writing this chapter is becauseI was asked to update this story for someone's birthday. So happy birthday...here you go.
Chapter 40
Bayley practically skipped down the stairs as the happily walked into the kitchen and sat down at the island beside Sasha. She was wearing a red plaid, button-up shirt which was open revealing a plain black t-shirt and a pair of jeans with a black beanie covering her dark hair. While Sasha was wearing a loose-fitting purple, long-sleeved shirt and black sweatpants with her long hair tucked behind her ears.
"Good morning family" Bayley happily claimed, causing Stephanie to turn from the stove and eye the girl confused
"You're in a surprisingly good mood." She turned and placed a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of the girl, "Just yesterday you were crying your eyes out and singing the blues...what changed?"
"Today's Alexa's first day back in school, which means I get to see her for longer than just an hour," Bayley said happily as she stuffed a piece of pancake into her mouth
"Today is also the last day before winter break," Sasha said sighing in relief herself, she was tired from pregnancy and from the rumors that began to swarm around her growing stomach. She was around three months and she already had a bit of a stomach growing.
"Yes, and you my dear have a doctor's appointment after school," Stephanie said knowingly as she turned off the stove and placed another plate of food in the empty chair beside Bayley,
"Where is your sister?"
"Becky was still sleeping the last I checked," Sasha said causing her mother to frown
Becky's court hearing was Monday, today is Friday, and it barely lasted longer than an hour. The Irish native had pleaded guilty and was given her proper punishments. She had gotten off easy since it was her first offense and the girls attacked her first so she wasn't given house arrest or any jail time. Instead, she was given 100 hours of community and service which she would complete starting this winter break by volunteering at the hospital with Finn's uncle. She was also assigned a parole officer who would randomly come by once every two weeks for checks ups where she would have to take drug tests and talk about how she's been doing. She also had to go to mandatory therapy sessions every Sundays, where she has to make continuous progress or else, according to the judge, and if she broke any of these things she would be sent to juvie.
After hearing all of this the girl had become distant and barely talked to her family, spending most of her time sleeping as Stephanie and the school agreed to keep her home from school for the week and let her return after the break. Hunter had tried multiple times to talk to the girl but she would barely look at him, and when she did speak she would call him and Stephanie by their names instead of calling them mom and dad, which initially hurt Stephanie but she accepted it for now.
Stephanie walked out of the kitchen and went to the bottom of the steps before yelling, "BECKY! Come downstairs for breakfast"
There was no response but after a while, Hunter appeared and came down the stairs brushing past Stephanie without a word. The two weren't fighting… but they were fighting. After everything that happened between Alexa and Bayley, Becky's trial, Charlotte's rehab and the sudden overflow of work to do for their company the two had become very busy and barely made time for one another. It had resulted in the two being distant, talking only about work or briefly at night but that didn't last long before one fell asleep. Stephanie had also, once again, taken the full weight of their children's struggles onto her back, shutting Hunter out whenever he tried to help as she felt like she had to handle everything on her own.
"Hey kiddo," Hunter said kissing Bayley on top of her head, "You look happy"
"I am happy," Bayley said with a smile
"Well good I'm glad, I can't deal with three sad women all week" Hunter joked but it only earned him a glare from Stephanie, "You guys want me to drive you to school?"
"Actually Hunter, I'm taking them to school on my way into the office," Stephanie said as she breezed into the kitchen and began cleaning up, putting pots in the sinks and cleaning off the counter
"I didn't know you were going into the office Stephanie"
"Well I am"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I don't have to tell you everything Hunter," Stephanie said in a low tone before grabbing her coffee cup and walking out of the kitchen causing Hunter to sigh while Sasha and Bayley stared at each other confused and slightly worried
"Dad?" Sasha asked, "You guys okay?"
"Yeah...we're fine," Hunter said before giving a small smile as he turned to the stove and began to fix himself a plate
Upstairs, Stephanie was knocking on the door of Becky and Sasha's room, "Becky… are you up?"
After no response, Stephanie slowly opened the door to see Becky sitting on the ground with her back against the bed and her eyes closed. Stephanie set her coffee down and quickly walked over to Becky's side, kneeling down and placing her hand on the red head's shoulder concerned, "Becky...Becky sweetie are you alright?"
Slowly the girl nodded with her eyes still closed and took a deep breath before opening her eyes and looking at the woman, "I'm fine"
"Well, what are you doing sitting here on the ground?" Stephanie asked before Becky placed her hand on her chest as she breathed hard, "Does your chest hurt again?"
"Yeah...but I'm fine," Becky said before slowly pushing herself to a standing position, pulling herself free from Stephanie's grip as she stepped back, "Please… leave me alone"
"Becky you can't just keep pushing us away, we're trying to help-"
"I don't need your help Stephanie" Becky snapped causing Stephanie to sigh. Holding her hands up defensively
"Alright… fine." She slowly turned and walked to the door, stopping just before she left to say,
"You have food downstairs waiting for you… and Becky? I still love you, very much, even if you want to be alone, or if you're angry with me or your father... We both love you"
When she got no response she sighed once again before leaving, closing the door behind her. She turned and rolled her eyes before heading downstairs where Sasha and Bayley were putting on their coats and shoes, "Hey mom you ready? We're going to be late"
"I know...you two can go head out to the car, I'll be there in a second" Stephanie said causing the two to nod before heading out the door while Stephanie turned to the kitchen and headed in to grab her purse. Hunter was sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee and eating as he typed away on his computer and Stephanie could see him looking at her over the top of the screen, "Since you're here I need you to run errands for me."
"Okay-"
"I need you to take those files to Shane today, the ones on my desk, and I need you to do the grocery shopping, Sasha's been very picky about what she can and can't eat so she wrote down what she wants, so you need to get it. Also the food for Christmas dinner, I don't want to wait until last minute like last time. Also stop by CVS and pick up Becky's prescription and you have to get her to eat something. Maybe get her out of the house...Charlotte's rehab facility has visiting day today. I can't go because of work and Sasha's doctor's appointment. So why don't you take Becky down to see her, it will be good for her"
"Anything else...maybe you want me to cook a five-course meal, get your dry cleaning?" Hunter asked sarcastically causing Stephanie to glare at him
"Don't be an ass. Unlike you and my brother, I am trying to manage this company that my father left us, and it doesn't help with all the extra stuff going on with the kids. The least you could do is these simple things" Stephanie snapped, leaving Hunter to sit in the kitchen alone
"Sure sweetheart. I'll take care of everything" Hunter said to himself before mocking Stephanie's voice, "Oh thank you, Hunter, you're such a good husband"
Hunter began typing on his computer as he responded once again in his regular voice, "You know I would doing anything for you Stephanie. I love you"
"I love you too Hunter, even though I'm trying to do everything myself and shutting you out like always because I think I'm the boss and the best at everything and you are some high school loser who doesn't know how to be an adult and-"
Hunter stopped as he saw movement in his peripheral, causing him to look up and see that Becky had appeared at the entryway of the kitchen. She was wearing a long black hoodie that came down below her waist and a pair of boy shorts with her red hair falling down over her right shoulder.
Hunter smiled at her, "Hey kiddo, how are you feeling?"
"You and Stephanie are fighting," Becky said in a low tone as she didn't move from her spot
"Just some grown-up stuff." Hunter said as he took a sip from his coffee, "You want something to eat?"
"You two have been fighting a lot"
Hunter sighed and motioned for the girl to come into the kitchen, holding his arm out for her to fall into a hug which she accepted. Becky had been more receptive to Hunter ever since she turned ten, he didn't know why but she was always closer to him than Stephanie. She would just appear next to him while he was working on the car or watching sports and he taught her everything he knew about those things. The two had formed a bond that Hunter was grateful for in this situation. The redhead had been closed off, only talking to him when Stephanie and the others weren't around.
"Yes, but adults fight all the time. I still love your mother very much and nothing is going to change that." Hunter said with his chin resting on top of Becky's head as he hugged her, "Just like how nothing will change how much I love you and your sisters"
Becky nodded and pulled away from Hunter before sitting down at the island across from her father. Hunter turned to face her fully and slide her his plate of food, which still had eggs and a pancake on it, smiling when she accepted it. He watched as Becky ate for a little before he began talking again, "Speaking of your sisters, RTC is having a family day today since they can't come home for the holidays"
"Why?"
"They said that Christmas is the worst time for recovering addicts so they keep them for the holidays, but they are allowing families to come and visit prior. So I was thinking about taking you over to see her. How does that sound?" Hunter asked only to receive a shrug from Becky as she picked at the eggs on her plate, "I'm more than sure Charlotte would be happy to see you, and I think it would be good for the both of you. I mean you two were always close"
Becky nodded but didn't say anything so the two sat in silence until Becky finished eating. Hunter took her plate and turned to her as she sat at the island staring off into space before saying, "I also have to run a few errands today. Would you like to come along?"
"No thanks," Becky said in a low tone, biting her lip
"Okay...but, I am stopping by your uncle Shane's gym. I have to give him some paperwork and he's going to be there all day. So…" Hunter said trying to tempt the girl and he internally smiled as she thought about it for a second before agreeing, "Alright then, go shower and get dressed"
With that Becky quickly got out of her seat and went to get ready while Hunter washed dishes and then pulled out his phone. He quickly sent a text to Stephanie saying mission accomplished before going upstairs to get ready himself.
With Sasha
Sasha was slowly putting her books into her backpack, taking them from her locker sloppily as she tried to keep her grip on everything in her hands. Between the four books, the large backpack and the constant stares and whispers that filled the space behind her, Sasha was slowly becoming more and more frustrated. The more she struggled the louder the whispers of the students behind her got and the louder they got the more she struggled, and just as she about to drop everything to turn and curse those students out she felt someone take her books from her. Sasha quickly looked up to see Finn's smiling face as he held her books in one hand and took her backpack with the other, neatly putting them away and slinging her backpack over his free shoulder.
"Thank you," Sasha said with a grateful smile as she closed her locker and turned to Finn
"No problem, you looked like you were struggling," Finn said, his smile never faltering as he leaned in a whispered, "How's the little Finn junior?"
"I'm not naming him Finn and I don't even know it's a boy yet," Sasha whispered back as she hooked her arm through his as the two walked outside for lunch. This had become a regular thing now, especially since Becky wasn't in school, Finn would come and walk Sasha to class and they would have lunch together, and sometimes, Paige and Dean would join them, but usually only to ask about Becky.
"Yeah that's fine...what about David, Axel, Maximus, Leo, Joshua" Sasha playfully hit Finn causing them both to laugh before they entered the cafeteria, "What? As the godfather, I think I should have a small say in the name"
Sasha smiled at the word father before shaking her head and punching Finn in his arm causing him to say, "Ow. I'm just joking"
Sasha smiled at Finn as she sat down while the Irish boy set down their bags and went to go get them food. After a few minutes, Sasha felt someone sit down next to her causing her to look over and see Seth sitting there with his back to the table so they were facing opposite directions. He was wearing a black jacket and jeans with his long dark hair hanging down to his shoulders.
"What do you want Seth?" Sasha asked, rolling her eyes at him
"What I can't talk to my girlfriend?"
"I'm not your girlfriend anymore," Sasha said not bothering to look over at him
"Says who?"
"Says me, we're through. Now get away from me" Sasha snapped at the boy
Seth seemed to laugh at this before he turned in the chair so they were both facing the table as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him causing her to squirm and try to push him away, "Why are you being difficult? I just wanna talk to my baby mama. Come on...I've been doing some thinking."
"I'm sure that's new for you"
"Don't be like that babe" Seth said with a smirk as he handed her a drawstring backpack that he had been carrying, causing her to look at him confused
"What's this?" Sasha slowly opened the bag to see it filled with candy, flowers and a small bear
"Look what happened before, with us and with Finn. I'm sorry about that. It was just the stress from school and football talking and I never meant to hurt you and yell at you, and I definitely didn't mean to tell you to get rid of our baby. What I did was unforgivable, but I know you and I love you so much. I can't live without you and I know you can't live without me, and what happened will never happen again. I promise. Give me another chance." Seth whispered causing Sasha to stare at him unsure, "Please. I promise I will treat you like the boss you are everyday… just give me another chance"
Sasha closed the bag and thought for a second. Her heart hurt for Seth, she would always love him... she did love him. She felt her hands clench the bag and her mouth get dry as she sighed, "I have to think about it"
Seth smiled and nodded, placing a kiss on her forehead before walking off, leaving Sasha to herself for a bit until Finn came back with two trays of food. He smiled and set down one tray in front of Sasha while he sat his down across from her and took a seat, "What did he want?"
"Who?" Sasha asked trying to play dumb but Finn raised an eyebrow at her
"Seth… what did he want? Do I need to go beat him up again?" Finn asked seriously, practically moving to stand up but Sasha placed a hand on his arm
"No. He didn't do anything. He just apologized and gave this bag of stuff" Sasha explained causing Finn to sink down in his seat confused
"What's in it?"
"Chocolates, a bear, some flowers" Sasha said with a shrug as she handed over the bag for Finn to look in. The Irish native grimaced at the bag before closing it and handing it back to Sasha, "What?"
"This is supposed to win you over? Give me a break." Sasha said nothing but looked down as she began to pick at her food causing Finn to look at her shocked, "Wait...this isn't winning you over is it? Sasha come on!"
"What?" Sasha whined
"Seth is an asshole, you can't just go back with him because he gave you cheap chocolates and a bear he got from the dollar store! He hurt you. He basically told you to get rid of your baby, you can't go back with him!" Finn argued causing Sasha to flinch at his tone. Once he noticed this he immediately calmed down, "Sorry. I don't mean to yell, it's just that I don't trust Seth. I don't want him anywhere near you or that baby, and if I see him touch you I will kick his ass from here all the way to Ireland."
"Finn, you don't have to do that"
"Somebody has to. I'm not going to let him manipulate you into a harmful situation. I will kill him before I ever let him harm you or Finn junior ever." Finn said seriously causing Sasha to look him in the eyes before nodding, not even correcting him about the name of the baby.
"Okay" Sasha said, leaving the two in silence until Paige and Dean came over and sat down so Dean was beside Finn and Paige was beside Sasha. Dean in a leather jacket and jeans while Paige wore a black long-sleeved shirt with rips in the sleeves and jeans.
"Hey guys" Paige said looking at Sasha with a smile, "How are you feeling?"
"Alright… just a little sick" Sasha said causing Paige to nod while Dean looked at Sasha expectantly
"So-."
"Dean I already told you Becky is fine. She's just a little sad" Sasha said before Dean could even ask
"I know you said that, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm worried about her. I mean she won't even speak to me" Dean said slightly defeat. He had come over multiple times this week to see Becky but she would refuse to see him. She never said why she just shook her head and told him to go away and Dean was becoming more and more frustrated. He reached into the pocket of her leather jacket and handed Sasha a note, "Can you just give this to her?"
Sasha took the note and put it in her pocket as she nodded, "Of course."
"Thanks" Dean said with a sad smile as his shoulders slumped and he began eating while the group talked quietly until lunch was over.
As the group got up Finn carried Sasha's bags while Dean dumped their trays. As they exited the cafeteria the group stood outside the building saying their goodbyes. After lunch Paige would walk with Sasha because they had classes next door to each other while Finn and Dean had class on the other side of the school. Finn hugged Sasha once before saying, "You gonna be okay?"
"Yes"
"Alright… you sure because I-"
"I got this Balor" Paige said, interrupting the two as she took Sasha's bag from Finn and waved to him, "I won't let anything happen to her. Becky will kill me if I do...well she would if she was here."
Finn nodded while Dean glared at Paige's mention of his girlfriend. The Irish born man quickly said, "okay. I'll see you after school"
"Okay" Sasha agreed before walking off with Paige
With Bayley
For you they'll be no more crying
For you the sun will be shining
Cause I feel that when I'm with you
So right
I know it's right
To you I would give the world
To you I'll never be cold
Cause I feel that when I'm with you
So right
I know it's right
And the songbirds are singing like they know this chorus
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before
And I wish you all the love in the world
But most of all I wish it for myself
And the songbirds are singing like they know this chorus
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before
Like never before
Like never before
Like never before
As Bayley stopped playing she could hear footsteps, causing her to look over and see Ember Moon climbing up on to the stage, "That was a lovely song"
Bayley didn't respond instead she quickly hopped up from the piano and backed away from Ember causing the shorter girl to put her hands up trying to show Bayley that she meant no harm. Bayley looked at the girl curiously, she had been avoiding Ember since she kissed her a week ago, and she had done a good job but of course Ember found her, "What do you want?"
"Gosh, no need to be hostile. I just wanted to talk. I mean you've been avoiding me all week" Ember said as she slowly approached the Piano. Stopping on one side of it while Bayley stood directly across from her on the other side, "I really liked the song"
"Thanks" Bayley said carefully, "You said you want to talk so talk"
Ember tried to move around the piano and take a step closer to Bayley but the taller girl quickly held her hand up, stopping her as she backed away from her, "Why are you acting so weird?"
"Weird? I'm not acting weird. YOU'RE acting weird!" Bayley said causing Ember to look at her confused
"Riiight. Look, I just wanted to talk about us-"
"Us? There is no us. I thought we were friends and then you went and kissed me" Bayley said with a frown, "And not to mention I've only really known you for couple of weeks"
"Almost a month" Ember corrected
"That doesn't matter! I have a girlfriend, so there is nothing between us, that kiss, meant nothing to me." Bayley explained all while Ember slowly moved around the piano, stopping just beside Bayley.
"Who are you trying to convince? Me...or you?" Ember asked, slowly dragging her hand along Bayley's arm causing the girl to pull away and rush away from the piano, stopping in the center of the stage.
"I'm not trying to convince anyone, I'm telling you what happened. You kissed me, not the other way around and I pulled away immediately. I love Alexa. Not you, and nothing you say or do will ever change that." Bayley said seriously causing Ember to nod as she carefully walked around the piano and stopped a few feet from Bayley
"I get that… but long distance relationships can be hard to work through"
"What are you talking about?" Bayley asked confused causing Ember to pretend to be shocked
"What? She didn't tell you?"
"Who? Tell me what?"
Ember slowly made her way so she was right in front of Bayley, "Alexa's moving. Leaving you behind, and I just came to offer my sympathies ya know. Let you know that you will always have my shoulder to lean on… if you need it"
Bayley shook her head confused as she looked down at Ember, not even realizing how close the girl was, "What are you talking about? Alexa's not moving, who told you she was?"
"Carmella. She overheard Alexa's conversation with the guidance counselor earlier. Your girlfriend is leaving this weekend. She only came today to finalize everything." Bayley looked on with wide eyes, "Alexa really didn't tell you? Gosh… I wonder if she was ever going to tell you"
"You're lying"
"To you? Never" Ember said, running her nails up Bayley's arm, smiling with Bayley didn't pull away. The girl was lost in her own world, thinking about whether or not this was true. Alexa hadn't mentioned anything about moving all week when she went to visit her in the hospital and she especially didn't mention it today, and they were pretty much together all day, "You can go ask her if you want. I just thought you should know"
Bayley felt tears stinging her eyes and she slowly backed away from Ember, allowing her thoughts to fill her head. How could Alexa be leaving? How could she not tell her about this? Was she ever going to tell her? As Bayley thought about all of this she didn't realize that she had slowly sunk down to the floor causing Ember to rush to her side, wrapping her arms around the girl as she began to cry. After a while Bayley wiped her eyes and sat up before looking at Ember, "You said Carmella told you?"
"Yes"
Bayley quickly stood up causing Ember to do the same, "I need to go talk to her"
"Okay she's in the cafeteria for lunch" Bayley didn't respond she just went over to the piano and grabbed her stuff while Ember followed her, "Wait. I'll come with you"
"NO." Bayley snapped, holding her hand out to stop Ember from coming any closer to her, "I still don't know if this is true yet. You could be lying to me and I-"
"Bayley I would never lie to you. I care about you" Ember said in a pleading tone causing Bayley to look away from her
"I need to go talk to Carmella"
"Why not just go to Alexa? She's the one leaving"
Bayley stopped, she didn't want to ask Alexa yet. She didn't want this to happen, she didn't want any of this to be true. Hearing it from Ember and Carmella is one thing, she could deny that all she wanted, but hearing it from Alexa herself would break her. She just need some more time, something which she realized she didn't have much of, "I just have to go"
Bayley quickly shoved on her backpack and jumped off the stage leaving Ember standing by the piano as the youngest Helmsley left, heading straight for the cafeteria. Once she spotted Carmella sitting by herself she marched right over to her and tapped her on the shoulder causing the blonde to turn and stare up at her in shock. Carmella was wearing a leopard print shirt and jeans and her hairs was under a black snapback.
"Bayley?"
"Did you tell Ember that Alexa was moving?" Bayley asked with a frown on her face causing Carmella to look at her confused
"Yeah...why?"
"Why would you do that? Where did you even hear that?" Carmella rolled her eyes and turned back in her seat so she was facing the table causing Bayley to immediately move to sit in front of her, "Carmella!"
"I overheard her conversation with the guidance counselor while I was walking past." Carmella explained as she took a sip of her apple juice
"Why were you in the counselor's office?"
"Like you care" Carmella responded sarcastically causing Bayley to frown
"Look, I'm sorry for being a terrible friend to you I just-"
"Friend? We stopped being friends a long time ago" Carmella said seriously causing Bayley to flinch. She knew how awful a friend she had been, she haven't even had a full conversation with Carmella in weeks. She spent every single moment of her day with Alexa and even while Alexa was at the hospital Bayley still avoided Carmella. At first she didn't mean to, she just was focused on Alexa, but after Alexa said that Carmella told her she had kissed Ember, Bayley went out of her way to avoid her, "You completely ditched me. For Alexa! But I mean, that didn't last long. I saw you kissing Ember in the auditorium"
"I didn't kiss her!"
"I saw yo-"
"She kissed me" Bayley snapped causing Carmella to roll her eyes, "Whatever. I was hoping to have a civil conversation with you, maybe even get back on track to becoming friends again. Like how we were"
"I don't think we'll ever get that back" Carmella said, no longer looking at her ex-friend, "You ruined that"
"You say it like I did that on purpose"
"You did! You left me! You broke off our friendship, all for that slut!"
"Don't call her that" Bayley said trying to keep her voice down from any prying ears, "Look Carmella, our friendship. It was killing me, literally tearing me apart. I would cry myself to sleep because of how much I loved you. I loved you Carmella… so much, but I knew I could never tell you, I knew you would never feel the same, so I kept it inside and it crushed me. So I needed time away from you. I needed new friends and I talked with Alexa. I'm sorry that I stopped talking to you but I still couldn't look at you for the longest without my heart hurting."
Carmella stared at Bayley sadly, taking in all of what she said, "What...what about now?"
Bayley looked around the cafeteria, trying to avoid looking at Carmella, "Now I don't know. I feel, like our relationship is...different now. I find it hard to talk to you, or even look at you. I'm sorry."
Carmella nodded sadly wiping her eyes, "So we'll never be friends again?"
Bayley frowned but looked up at Carmella, "Not now...maybe one day."
"Okay" Carmella said but Bayley could tell that she wanted to say more. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence Carmella said, "Alexa's in the library. If you want to go talk to her. I wasn't lying about her moving. I should have told you but…"
Once Bayley realized that Carmella wasn't going to say anymore she moved to get up but stopped before asking, "Why did you tell Ember?"
Carmella shrugged, "Who else would I tell? I don't have many friends anymore. If I couldn't tell you...then I knew it would get back to you if I told Ember"
Bayley immediately felt guilt as Carmella mentioned not having any friends. The Helmsley girl looked around at the empty table, she and Carmella had always been friends, they were all the other one needed, so now that Bayley was "gone" from Carmella's life, she had no one, "Carmella I'm sorry"
"Don't" Carmella said in a low tone, "You said maybe one day...so let's just leave it there, you work on you...and I-I'll work on me. Then one day in the future, we'll talk."
Bayley nodded and stood up, hugging Carmella carefully before walking off, leaving the girl alone in the cafeteria.
With Becky
"How are you feeling?" Charlotte asked as she sat across from her younger sister in the meeting room where groups of families that came to visit sat around their child talking quietly.
Becky shrugged, she was slumped back in a chair at the small, square table. She had showered and changing into an oversized red hoodie and dark jeans with her hair braided back on one side, "Fine I guess"
Charlotte looked at her father carefully before leaning over in her seat so she was facing Becky. Charlotte was wearing a white tank top and jeans with her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders, and if anyone didn't know they would probably think that Becky was the one who was in rehab while Charlotte was out in the world thriving. Honestly, the blonde was practically glowing and from the raving review Hunter had heard about Charlotte as of lately he could tell that his oldest daughter was doing a lot better. The same however, could not be said about Becky, she was slumped over with her hood up her head and she had dark bags under her eyes.
"You don't look fine. Did you eat today?" Becky nodded, "Have you been out at all this week other than today? Have you gone to school?"
"The school thought it would be best for her to take the week off and come back after the break" Hunter said, answering for Becky who avoided eye contact, staring at the floor
"Well what about Dean? Have you talked to him recently?" Charlotte tried but Becky shook her head no causing the tall blonde to frown and look to her father for confirmation, sighing as he nodded in agreement, "Alright. Well I'm glad you came to see me...it sucks here"
Becky looked around before glancing at her older sister carefully, "I bet"
Charlotte laughed at this while Becky just shifted, unconformably causing Charlotte to frown, "Oh come on Becks...I hate seeing you like this. You're supposed to be the one who cheers me up...It's weird when it's the other way around...I'm not good at this stuff"
"Sorry" Becky mumbled with her hands shoved in her hoodie pockets
"No you don't have to apologize. Never apologize for your sadness Becks. I just want you to talk to me...tell me what's going on" Charlotte said sadly, watching Becky carefully as the girl sat up and shifted, glancing at their father out of the corner of her eye, which Charlotte noticed, "Uh Dad...can Becky and I...ya know?"
"Yeah sure. Uh I'll go get some snacks, do you girls want anything?"
"Uh some sour patch kids" Charlotte said causing Hunter to nod and leave the two girls. Charlotte immediately moved her chairs so she and Becky were sitting face to face and she leaned forwards, "Becky, talk to me"
"I don't want to talk...I just want to sleep" Becky said tiredly causing Charlotte to take the back of Becky's head and pull her forward so their heads were touching
"Becky"
"I feel angry and sad all the time. I feel angry because because I can't stop being sad and I feel sad because I can't stop being angry. I'm stuck in this loop that makes me want to pull my hair out and sit in the darkest corner of my mind, waiting to die." Becky said quietly with tears stinging her eyes, a few drops falling causing Charlotte to hold on to Becky tighter, not caring who in the room would watch them
"Becky please don't say that i-"
"And I keep seeing their faces. Shayna and those two girls...I-I see them in my dreams, the-they looked at me like I was a monster, like I was this...this evil. I-I didn't mean to hurt them but once I started I couldn't stop myself. I didn't stop myself. If she didn't shoot me I would have killed them. I would have been a murder, no better than my father or yours, and they used that, and they haunted my dreams to point where I wake up screaming in the middle of the night thinking I had actually killed them."
"Becky-"
"Some nights it's worse. Some nights I see myself killing those girls that I've fought in the ring. Other times it's Stephanie, or Hunter...sometimes even Sasha or Bayley… or even you or Dean" Becky said choking on her sobs while Charlotte cupped Becky's head with both hands, moving the redhead's forehead closer so she could plant a kiss there as she continued talking, "I see myself as a killer, and I feel angry that I'm not sorry about it, and then I feel sad because I'm so angry. It's to the point where my body can't tell the difference between sadness and anger anymore and I can cry myself to sleep from either emotion but when I wake up it's no better either. I don't have the energy in the day to talk or fight...b-but I want to fight...so...so badly. I still want to fight but I can't. My lung and my body won't allow me to, let alone Hunter and Stephanie, and that makes it so much worse. I have all this anger and sadness built up inside me that I can't let out anymore. I can feel it building right behind my eyes to the point where my skull feels like it's going to explode and there's nothing I can do but wait for it to actually happen. And I-"
"Becky please stop" Charlotte said, choking on her own sobs as she held her younger sister closer to her, "Please. I can't let you beat yourself up over what happened. It happened, and there's nothing you can do to change that, and I...nor can anyone else, make you apologize for what happened. Those girls attacked you first"
"But I-"
"NO! Becky listen to me, you didn't kill those girls, and I know you… you never would. Look, I don't have a lot of friends Becky, but I have you and I know you. You are one of the sweetest most generous people that I know. I love you Becks, and so do mom, dad, Sasha and Bayley, hell even Dean. We don't care what you did do, it happened and it's time to move forward from it, but you can't do that if you keep beating yourself up about what you didn't do." Charlotte said seriously, looking Becky in the eyes, "I know you feel angry and sad, I've felt it too but you know who helped me through it all?"
"Charlotte I don'-"
"Who helped me?!"
"I don't know Stephanie and Hunter?"
"You did Becks" Charlotte said after pulling away from her sister so they were sat up right while Charlotte placed her hands on Becky's shoulders, "You made me smile and helped me after that accident with dad. You helped me stop being so sad and so angry at myself for something that I couldn't change. So I'm going to do the same. Ever since I heard about you getting shot I've been trying my hardest to do better, play everything by the book in order to get back to you and everyone else. I even heard them talking about letting me go early."
"That's great" Becky said with a sad smile
"Yeah it is...but I'm doing this for you Becky. I'm getting better so I can help you and I AM going to help you, whether you want it or not. I'm going to sit with you every time you feel sad. Every time you have nightmares, everytime you're angry….everytime you want to be alone, I'm going to be right by your side, promise. I love you and care about you too much to watch you beat yourself up about this." Charlotte said with a genuine smile, "Because you know what? There's nothing you can do to change what happened. The only thing you can do is move forward, do your volunteer hours and then move on with your life. Okay?"
"Yeah" Becky said after a couple minutes of silence before looking up at her sister, "Thanks"
"No problem. Now, no more of this sad shit. Tell me something else."
"My whole life right now is pretty much just sad shit" Becky said, slumping back in her seat
"What happened with you and Dean?"
"Nothing happened. We just sort of stopped… well I sort of stopped, Stopping talking to him, stopping seeing him...everything" Becky said sadly before slamming her hand into her forehead, "I feel like such a jerk"
"You're not a jerk, you wanted to be alone. It's okay to feel that way, but Becks, you can't push everyone away right now. Go talk to him later, tell him how you were feeling and talk about where you want to go with your relationship."
"What if he hates me now? I basically shut him out completely"
"Dean loves you Becks. I'm sure he'll be more than glad to just hear from you again" Charlotte said causing Becky to nod before giving a sad smile, "Now come on..give me a hug"
"No" Becky said but Charlotte could see the genuine smile on the redhead's face
"Come on...give me some love" Charlotte said with her arms extended before pulling Becky into a hug, laughing as the girl tried to wiggle her way out, "Aww, there's my lil Becky"
"Stop you're so embarrassing"
"No way, I haven't seen you in a month I want to get all the hugs in I can" Charlotte said, squeezing the girl tighter before finally releasing her
"Gosh, your hugs are worse than Bayley's"
"How is Bayley?"
"She's fine, she's been dealing with Alexa and all that drama and Sasha's been dealing with Seth drama and the baby drama" Becky explained with a shrug
"Sounds like a lot of drama" Charlotte joked
"Yeah well you know our family" Charlotte nodded at this
"Speaking of family what's up? Dad seems tense and don't think I didn't notice that you were calling him and mom by their names again"
Becky sighed, "Things have been weird around the house, I kind of pushed everyone away so it feels weird calling them mom and dad right now"
"That's fine, I know they're not pushing you to call them that, Its whenever you feel ready. Just don't be too hard on them, they are just trying to help"
"I know but they've just been pestering me a lot and not to mention, Hunter and Stephanie have been fighting."
"About you?"
"I don't know about everything. Work, Sasha's baby, me… you"
"Me?" Charlotte asked, "Why are they fighting about me?"
"I don't know I've just overheard them say your names a few times, but it's not like it's just you specifically" Becky said trying to explain, "I don't know things are just really tense between them"
Before Charlotte could respond Hunter came back with a arm full of snack, placing them on the small table in front of them, "I got M&Ms, skittles, chips, snickers, sour patch kids and some twizzlers"
"Ew, dad nobody like twizzlers" Charlotte said as she took the sour patch kids and handed them to Becky, having asked for them because she knew they were her favorites while she herself took a bag of skittles.
"I like twizzlers" Hunter said with a wide smile as he dug into the twizzler's bag, taking a big bite for emphasis causing both girls to laugh.
The three sat together for the next hour talking about everything and Hunter internally smiled with pride as he watched his two daughters interact. This was the first time this week Becky had actually smiled let alone laughed, and he could see how well Charlotte was doing. When it was time to say goodbye he watched as Becky hugged her oldest sister tightly thanking her while Charlotte planted a kiss on top of her head and whispered something to her causing Becky to nod. Then Hunter hugged his oldest daughter ad said his own goodbyes, "I'll be seeing you soon Charlotte"
"Yes you will" Charlotte said with a bright smile as she pulled away from him and waved goodbye.
Once Hunter and Becky were back in the car the two sat there for a while before Hunter turned to look at Becky and asked, "Feeling better?"
"..Yeah. I think so" Becky said after some serious thought but Hunter nodded as a real smile found it's way on Becky's face.
"Good. Now, lets go get some groceries and then head over to Shane's" With that Hunter put the car into drive and pulled off.
With Bayley
Bayley slowly sat down at the table in front of Alexa, watching the girl as she flipped pages in her book. Just like Carmella had said she found Alexa in the library which was empty because everyone else was in class of in the cafeteria. Bayley looked over Alexa carefully, the short blonde had on a red and black hoodie and black leggings with her blonde hair hanging over her eyes as she looked down at her book, still not acknowledging Bayley's presence.
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Tell you what?" Alexa asked as she flipped the pages in her book, not looking at her girlfriend causing Bayley to roll her eyes before grabbing Alexa's book and throwing it across the room, "Rude"
"You know what's rude? Leaving without telling your girlfriend or even saying goodbye" Bayley said sadly causing Alexa to sigh before looking up at Bayley with tears in her eyes
"I'm sorry...I-I didn't know how to tell you. This morning you were so happy about all the stuff we were going to do over the break and I couldn't just… tell you. I didn't want to break your heart like that" Alexa said with tears running down her face causing any anger Bayley had to disappear
"Alexa…" Bayley slowly grabbed Alexa's hands in her own, "You leaving without even saying goodbye would have broken my heart even more"
"I know" Alexa cried, "I'm so sorry...I just didn't want you to be angry with me"
Bayley let go of Alexa's hands and walked around the table, kneeling down beside the girl, "Lex..I care about you so much. I'm not angry...jus-just talk to me. Tell me what's going on"
Alexa took a few minutes to collect herself before wiping her eyes, "My mom. She thinks my father will come after us"
"Your father's in jail he can't hurt you"
"He hasn't had his trial yet. My mom knows he'll find a way out of any charges. He's a big shot lawyer, he knows higher ups. So my mom wants to move us...get as far away from here and him as possible." Alexa said sadly
"Well where are you going?"
"Ohio. My mother is moving into my Uncle's house, he's ex-military and says that he'll protect us"
"I'LL protect you" Bayley said loudly, causing her voice to echo in the empty library, "You could stay here with my family I-"
"I'm not letting you do that. Your family has enough to deal with and I won't let my father come after me and hurt you" Alexa said immediately, cutting of Bayley
"I don't care about that. I don't want him hurting you. I would jump in front of any danger to protect you" Bayley said almost heroic causing Alexa to give her a small smile as she took her face in her hands
"I know, and I would do the same for you. Which is why I'm leaving."
"Alexa I-"
"Bayley, you are the nicest...sweetest person I know. You listened to me when I was in pain and you actually cared about me when nobody else did. You can make me smile even when I feel like there is nothing in this world left to smile for, and I spent this last week trying to figure out how I would tell you everything that you mean to me, but I don't think I have enough air in my body. I tried to write down everything that I loved about you and everything that I wanted to tell you...but my hands started cramping, and it showed me just how painful love can be, but I wrote it down anyway because you are worth it. I never actually finished writing though because I realized I would never be able to stop writing if I wrote about how much I loved you... simply because true love is endless." Alexa said causing Bayley to blush
"Alexa what are you-"
"I realized that I love you the way I learned how to ride a bike. Scared, and reckless, with no training wheels or elbow pads so I could wear the scars of how I fell for you. I realized that I love you and hate you all at the same time, simply for having the audacity to look so beautiful even when everything around you is ugly. You see, it feels like we've had these past lives where something always go wrong, we lived in egypt, I was a slave and you were the pharaoh's daughter, loving you led to my death. They claimed I seduced you and after they stole my life I was resurrected as a mason, I built your house and our eyes met for 2 seconds. You left and I didn't see you again until I died. I came back as a caterpillar and turned into a butterfly and I landed in your palm but you brushed me away and the rejection killed me, but I came back just to look for you. I left notes in random places hoping you would find them, I carved our initials into tree stumps and I whispered your name into the wind hoping it would reach you but it didn't and I died. I died with breadcrumbs in my hands, hoping you would find me but you didn't, so they buried me, and they buried me with these coins over my eyes and I used them as bus fair just so I could get back to Earth and find my way back to you and I did."
Bayley walked Alexa in shock as she said all of this, neither stopping the tears that flowed from their eyes as Alexa continued, "That's why sometimes when we hold hands, ever so often I hold on a little to tight, because I just don't want to lose you again...but now...now that I'm leaving I feel as if we're being torn apart again. But I told you this, not to make you sad or anything but to prove a point that I will always find my way back to you, it's just not the right time."
Bayley wiped her eyes before staring at Alexa confused, "What are you saying?"
"I'm sorry Bayley...but I have to break up with you"
"Wait! No Alexa!" Alexa stood from her chair leaving Bayley kneeling on the ground, "Please...we can work it out, we can do long distance"
"Bayley, I love you so much, and I know that we will have our moment, but right now...right here...it's not it" Alexa said as Bayley wrapped her arms around Alexa's waist, resting her head on the shorter blonde's stomach as she stood over her. Alexa bent forward and placed a kiss on Bayley's head, "I know you'll find your way to me and I will find my way to you."
With a last kiss the school bell rang and Alexa walked off, waving goodbye to her now Ex-girlfriend. Bayley watched Alexa leave, not moving from her spot until the library doors closed causing Bayley to fall back on her butt and curl into herself, bringing her knees to her chest as she cried.
With Becky
Becky slowly looked around Shane's gym, taking in the smell and the feel of everything. She carefully walked around looking from the wrestling ring to the trophies to the punching bags that hung up in the back. Hunter watched her carefully before patting her on the back, "You alright kiddo?"
"Yeah" Becky said with a smile on her face as she continued to look around, "It's just been a while since I've been in a gym"
Hunter smiled and the two walked further into the gym. Becky took note of the few people in the gym including two men who were sparring in the ring with boxing gloves, the group of people doing push up in the back and a young girl around Becky's age who was working with Shane by a punching bag. The girl had dirty blonde hair, which was braided on the sides into a ponytail and she was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts. Her wrists were taped and Shane was watching her deliver different combos on the punch bag. Shane himself was wearing a red and white baseball jersey and jeans with his hair turning grey from old age.
"Hey Shane!" Hunter called out causing both the blonde and Shane to turn around
"Ah Hunter! My sister told me you'd be around" Shane greeted, hugging the man as the two walked over before looking down at Becky, "Hey Becky, how are you feeling?"
"Fine" Becky said simply while she felt the blonde's eyes burn into the side of her head
Shane nodded at her before saying, "Hunter we can go into my office and talk, but Becky I would like to introduce you to one of my newest trainees. Ronda Rousey"
Becky looked at the girl before nodding, neither one holding their hand out to shake, but Shane, nor Hunter, paid any attention to this as Shane said, "Why don't you two talk for a bit, you're both the same age and you both know a bit about fighting."
"Uncle Shane I-"
"Don't worry about it Becks. We'll be right back" Hunter said before he and Shane turned and headed for Shane's office leaving Becky and Ronda standing by the punching bags.
Becky could feel the girl glaring at the back of her head causing the redhead to turn to look at Ronda with disinterest, "Do you have a problem?"
Ronda scoffed and gave a sarcastic chuckle as she stepped up to Becky before saying, "You're kind of small to be a lasskicker"
Becky looked confused, how did this girl know her? "What? You a fan or something..and I'm taller than you by the way"
"Ha. No...I'm not a fan, but my friends told me about you." Ronda said before holding her hand out to Becky causing the redhead to look at it for a second before slowly taking it. Once she did Ronda yanked the girl forward before whispering, "You're lucky Shayna only gave you a bullet to the chest...when I'm done with you, you'll be a lot worse off"
Becky snatched her arm away from the girl and glared at her. This must have been the fourth girl that Sonya had told her about. When Becky first withwent to NWO Sonya said that 4 girls ran that place, but Becky only ever say 3, Ronda must be the last one.
"You think you can take me...If ya didn't know, I left your friends laying out in that alley and I damn sure will do the same to you if you ever try something" Becky said back, the adrenaline Becky usually felt from fighting pumped through her veins as she stood up taller while talking
Ronda just smiled, "Oh yeah? You and what lungs? From what I heard… my girl shot clean through yours, I doubt you could even last five seconds with me in the ring"
"You wanna bet?" Becky asked
"Bring it"
A/N: So that was the chapter, hope you enjoyed, the song Bayley sings is called songbird, it's by Fleetwood mac and part of Alexa's speech to Bayley is from the poem "to the girl who worked at Starbucks" by Rudy Francisco, if you guys were wondering. Anyway, make sure to review and let me know what you guys think and what you want to see, because that makes my life so much easier, and make sure to follow, favorite, all that good stuff so you can be udated for the next chapter. Thanks.