Leaf woke up in the middle of the night and took a deep breath. She had had a nightmare and memories from her past had surfaced. Today, had brought everything back up.
She looked over at Gary, who was sleeping peacefully. She had managed not to wake him up this time with her nightmare. She carefully climbed out of the bed and walked over to the dresser where her clothes were. She grabbed some leggings and one of Gary's hoodies before she went to change.
She couldn't sleep right now. She needed to clear her head.
She grabbed her phone and Gary's car keys before she carefully made her way out of the house. With no destination in mind, she made her way out of the driveway and drove. Before long she found herself on the side of the road where the path that would lead her to the clearing with the river. She turned the car off and got out and carefully made her way through the bushes.
Taking a deep breath, she breathed in the cool night air. She glanced up at the night sky and looked at all the stars.
Sighing, she sat down on the grass at the edge of the river.
"I miss you, mom. So so much..." she said, softly.
Her eyes were burning with unshed tears.
"I just wish you were still here. I wish I had never kept the secret from you about Richard. Maybe then we could've ran away before it got worse."
The tears fell from her eyes.
"That Halloween night changed everything."
Sighing, she remembered the party she had attended with Ash, Dawn, and Gary. Where what had been happening to her for a year or so had almost happened by someone around her own age.
"So much has happened. Things that never should've happened."
She jumped as the silence that surrounded her was shattered by her phone ringing. Looking at the screen she saw that Gary was calling her.
"Hey," she answered.
"Where are you?"
His voice was full of concern.
"I woke up and you were gone. My keys are gone. Where are you, Leaf? Are you okay?"
She felt a new wave of tears hit her. He was so concerned. He cared so much.
Choking back the tears, she took a breath. "I'm okay, Gary. I'm at my thinking place."
She heard him sigh in relief.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack. I was scared you had done something dangerous to get proof of what has happened."
"No. No. You don't want me to do that. I'm going to respect it."
"Okay. Can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Sure, Gar."
"Just share your location with me. Just so I can know where you are. I don't want anything to happen when you go on late night adventures without a word."
"Okay, I will. I'm sorry for leaving without telling you. I just needed to clear my head."
"You're fine, Leafy. It's been a lot for you these last few days."
"I'm gonna swing by and get a coffee before I come back. Want anything?"
"I'm okay. Just be safe, Leafy."
"I will,"
She ended the call.
She glanced at her phone and saw that it was nearly sunrise.
"I'm gonna stay here to see the sunrise then leave." she said to herself.
She smiled as the sun rose above the horizon, casting everything in a soft light. She breathed deeply and stood up.
"Time to get coffee and go home."
She smiled as the word "home" left her lips. She finally had one. It finally felt like a home again. Something that had been missing for a while, ever since her mother had died. Now with Gary and Professor Oak she felt like she had a home. They had done nothing but welcome her into their house and into their lives. Sure, she had been a part of their lives for years, but she was back now. Back after all the pain and suffering she had dealt with.
She breathed in the strong smell of coffee and walked up to the counter.
"Hi, how can I help you?" the barista greeted.
Leaf asked for her favorite drink, a black coffee for Professor Oak, and then got a hot tea for Gary. She also added a few muffins for breakfast at home.
As she stood to the side waiting for her order, she glanced around the cafe. She had a feeling she was being watched. A couple of people studying, two elderly people sitting in a booth talking quietly, the line of customers waiting for their orders to be taken. No one was watching her or paying her any attention.
"You're being paranoid." she muttered.
"Order for Leaf?"
She walked up to the counter and grabbed the carrier of drinks and the bag of muffins.
"Thanks,"
"Have a good day." the barista said, smiling.
"You too,"
She walked out of the cafe and to Gary's car. She got in and locked the doors, before she placed the drinks and bag to the passenger seat. She looked around once again, still feeling like she was being watched. She glanced at the rearview mirror, but saw no one.
She started the car and drove back towards Gary's.
She parked the car and hurried inside and nearly slammed into Gary when she rounded into the doorway of the kitchen.
"Whoa," he said, steadying her.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, looking at her.
He took the drinks and bag from her.
Leaf looked at him. "I think someone is following me or watching me, but I didn't see anyone."
"Okay. Hey, breathe."
She took a breath.
"You just don't go off by yourself, okay?"
She nodded her head.
"Breakfast? It'll help calm you down."
"Yeah. Yeah."
They went to the table and sat down at the table.
"I got you and your grandpa something and muffins."
"Thanks, Leafy."
"Sorry I ran off without telling you. You were just sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to wake you."
"It's okay, Leaf. Just right now I want you to stay with someone at all times. Especially since you felt like someone was watching you."
She nodded her head.
"What if Richard is looking for me?"
"I won't let him find you."
"But what if he does? What if something happens?"
Gary stood up and walked over to her side and took her hands.
"Hey, look at me."
She looked at him.
"I will do everything I can to keep you safe from any pain. That's why I want you to be with someone all the time, until this feeling goes away."
"It could be that I had nightmares."
"Regardless, I want you with someone, please?"
"I will, Gar."
He kissed her hands.
"If I need to be with someone at all times...I think I need to tell Ash and Dawn. That way if you or your grandpa aren't able to be with me...I have someone."
"Leaf are you sure?"
"They're my best friends just like you are. You're my boyfriend now, too. They're our best friends. Maybe telling more people close to me...it'll help."
"If you're sure then okay. I'll be there with you every step." Gary said.
"Plus on a happier note, we get to tell Dawn that she was right. We're finally together officially."
Gary gave a small smile.
It felt like it had been weeks or longer since Leaf had revealed her darkest secret, had the run in with Richard while at the mall after she had moved into Gary's, and told the police her secret. But in reality, it had been a weekend. Tomorrow, was Monday. A new week for school. A new day, which meant another day of telling her darkest secret to two people close to her. That would make a total of four people close to her knowing the darkest secret and the police knowing and medical team. She was coming a long way. She was finally learning how to trust again after being broken. She only hoped she wouldn't lose Ash and Dawn. But she didn't believe that she would. They had accepted her with open arms after she had been so hateful and hurtful to them.
Please R&R