As she woke up to an empty bed, she instantly felt dread as she reflected on yesterday's events. All she wanted to do was shut the world out and hide but that would prove them all right. She needed to carry on as normal, to convince them that she felt okay within herself. Her mind wandered to what Peter was doing last night, after she told him to sleep on the sofa, she hadn't seen him since and wanted it to stay that way. She was so deeply hurt by the fact he refused to believe her word and helped make everyone think she was crazy. They had no reason to believe it; their relationship was looking up, she was doing well at the factory. What could possibly lead to this scenario?
She rubbed her eyes tiredly and rolled over, sighing at the coolness of the other side of the bed. Maybe sleeping for a little longer wouldn't be such a bad idea...
"Did you sleep there all night?" Jenny gawped, watching as Peter cradled his neck in discomfort on the sofa.
"Yeah," He winced. "I'm not sleeping on there again."
"Actually I think our sofas are quite comfortable if I do say so myself." She smiled, her high pitched voice becoming irritating to Peter this early in the morning.
He'd probably slept a few hours throughout the entire night, maybe even less. As if the uncomfortable sofa wasn't enough of a reason for the lack of sleep, but he was also tossing and turning as he worried about Carla's deteriorating mental health. Although part of him believed her because she was so adamant that everything was okay. But of course she would say that, she wouldn't admit to feeling paranoid and what if she just couldn't notice it within herself? He tried to not let his mind go there but he couldn't help but panic that the reason she didn't let him sleep upstairs was due to what she could be up to. What if she was harming herself or planning to get away? He just had to trust her on this and be there if she breaks, that's all he could do.
"Peter?" Jenny thrust Peter back into realty, giving him a worrying glance. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Like I said, just didn't sleep well. I'm knackered." He replied.
"And how's carla? Have you seen her yet?"
"Carla is fine and doesn't need anyone's concern, thank you very much." Carla interrupted, speaking in third person to emphasise her annoyance. She didn't give Peter a second glance and instead, swiftly walked into the kitchen.
"Morning, love." Peter called out, as Jenny looked on with a guilty expression.
He sighed when she completely blanked him.
"Can I make you some breakfast, Carla?" Jenny asked.
"No," Carla muttered, distantly. "I'll get something when I'm out."
"Where are you going?" Peter asked.
"So you could follow me and get your doctor pals to assess me again? Like I'd tell you." She snapped, walking to the door.
"You know I wouldn't do that," He shook his head. "I'm just curious is all."
"Mind your own." She hissed, leaving the room and swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Oh...Carla? Do you think you should be here?" Sarah frowned from her desk, watching as the brunette woman strolled in.
"Why wouldn't I be? It's a Tuesday, Sarah." Carla shrugged, sitting down.
"It's just-..."
"Just what?" Carla narrowed her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I just don't want you putting yourself under unnecessary stress, I can take care of this place." She said, softly.
"Oh, no he hasn't..." Carla murmured to herself, her anger building.
"What?"
"He hasn't told you, has he?" As Sarah looked down, it confirms Carla's suspicions and she stands up in haste. "He has! I can't believe this."
"Look, I don't know what's going on, Carla, and I'm not going to pretend that I do. But I just think you should go home, we need to get orders out-..."
"Can you hear yourself, Sarah?" Carla ranted, banging her hand on the table and moving to face her directly. "What did he tell you?"
"Carla-..."
"Tell me!" She interrupted, her eyes fiery.
"Peter called and said you are struggling mentally at the moment and to keep an eye on you, just in case you turn up." Sarah admitted, breaking eye contact.
Carla released a harsh breath, fighting the urge to smash the entire building up, and probably Sarah's face too. She was furious. Now this was affecting her professional life, as well as her relationships with people.
"I am not a basket case, Sarah!" Carla shouted.
"I'm not saying you are." She shook her head, gently.
"No, I've had enough of all of this. I feel perfectly okay! Well, until everyone collectively decided to act like I'm paranoid and crazy again. I know how I feel and I can assure you that nothing is wrong with me. D'ya hear me? Nothing!" Carla yelled, catching the attention of the factory workers.
"I think you should calm down. Maybe we could go to the cafe? They girls can make sure the order gets out on time." Sarah suggested, standing up to grab her coat.
"No! I'm not going anywhere with people who don't trust my word," Carla turned her head to where everyone was gasping at her. "I bet you lot think I'm crazy and all!"
Sarah sighed, subtly grabbing her phone and typing out a message...
Hey, would you mind coming to the factory? Carla's manic and I don't know what to do.
In less than a minute, Peter rushed into the factory. He was panting, and walked over to an irate Carla.
"What are you doing here?" Carla narrowed her eyes, turning to Sarah. "You got him to come, didn't you?"
"I think you need to leave." Sarah bit her lip.
"I'm sensing a bit of Deja vu here, aren't you? Remember that groupchat you had for me after I came out of hospital. And you were reporting my every move. You knew how angry that made me back then and you're doing it again. Only this time, I'm not even ill! Stay away from me." She shouted, shoving Peter when he tried to stop her from leaving.
She swiftly left the factory and leaned against the door to take a series of calming breaths. This was only getting worse and the angrier she got, the more they pitied her and acted like she was dealing with her psychosis again.
She knew Peter would follow her out, so she made a stark exit and carried on walking. She kept her head down, thinking where she could go to escape all the weird looks from everyone.
"Woah, are you okay?" Adam gasped, as Carla walked straight into him. He gently grabbed hold of her shoulders, looking at her in concern.
"Oh, not you an' all. Don't even start," She rolled her eyes, trying to carry on her walk but he didn't let go. "Let go of me!"
"I'm not here to have ago. What's going on?"
She looked up, and noticed how he was full of genuine concern rather than being so quick to judge and pity her like everyone else did.
"You haven't been told? I'm number one gossip round here."
"Of course I've heard things but I wanted to ask you," He shrugged. "Do you want to go to the cafe?"
"I'm trying to avoid Roy." She raised her eyebrows.
"Come on." He playfully nudged her, causing her to laugh and follow him.
Once they were sat comfortably in the cafe, a warm coffee in Carla's palms, he noticed the slight redness of her cheeks and assumed that she'd just caused a scene in the factory. His phone kept vibrating in his pocket but he ignored it, his focus firmly on the woman before him.
"So what's going on with you right now?" He asked, pointedly.
"Well, nothing until I got back yesterday and a doctor is there trying to question my mental state. They all believe I'm nuts and won't listen."
"And are you?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Nothing is wrong with me," She glared. "Apart from my increasing blood pressure thanks to your uncle."
"I believe you."
"Don't pity me, Adam." She scoffed, shaking her head.
"I thought you wanted people to be on your side, to truly believe your word. Well, I do." He smirked.
"You do?" Her eyes lightened. "Thank you."
"I wouldn't listen to her if I were you." A voice interrupted them, causing Carla to swiftly turn around.
Tina smirked; crossing her arms against her chest and holding her head high as she looked at Carla in a laughing manner.
"How are you, Carla? Up here..." She asked, high pitched as she motioned to her head.
"I suggest you shut your face." Carla stood up, squaring up to her.
"Hey, sit down Carla." Adam called from his seat.
Carla remained silent, looking over at Adam and then back again at Tina. She stood there thinking for a second, whether she should smack Tina or be the bigger person. She gave Tina one last glare, before sitting back down.
"I'm surprised you're letting her out, Roy." Tina said, sarcastically.
"Enough of that. If you continue with this behaviour, I will have no other choice but to politely ask you to leave the premises." Roy replied, wandering over and noticing how Carla refused to give him eye contact.
Tina scoffed, shaking her head before leaving the building.
"She was trying to wind you up," Adam said. "Good for you for resisting it."
"I know her game. She's a cheap slag still trying to get Peter after years." Carla shrugged.
"Carla, may I have a word?" Roy asked.
"Not really, Roy. I don't want to talk." She mumbled, distantly, taking a mouthful of her drink to cover up her embarrassment.
"I would just like to say that I'm sorry for how yesterday's events turned out. And upon reflection, I wouldn't have done any of that behind your back."
"I appreciate it but like I said, I'm not in the mood to talk." Carla said, rolling her eyes as Peter walked in.
"There you are! I thought-..."
"Thought I ran away again?" She raised her eyebrows, angrily.
"Of course not," He sighed. "I'm sorry for telling people but I was trying to look out for you. I won't do it again."
"You've told everyone, Peter! I'm a laughing stock."
"I don't think we should be doing this in here. Come on, let's go home." He suggested, watching as Carla contemplated it for a second before standing up and grabbing her things.
As they walked to the Rovers, it was silent. Carla was too stubborn to start a conversation and Peter was nervous, he was scared of saying the wrong thing incase she would blow up in his face again. Eventually, he stopped her and held her hand.
"I'm sorry."
"So you keep saying." She muttered, looking down.
"So listen to me," he raised her head up so she was looking at him. "I'm sorry for belittling you these past few days. I know how I went about this has been wrong."
"You have a lot of making up to do, Barlow." She exhaled.
"Let's start now, no time like the present. Let me make it up to you." He whispered.
"It isn't that easy, Peter. You've hurt me and it's made me reevaluate a lot of things."
"Reevaluate? Our relationship?" Panic etched across his face.
"Not us, never us." She shook her head, letting Peter gently caress her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
Sorry if this chapter is a bit messy! I've been busy recently but wanted to get this up as it's been quite a while. Is anyone still interested?