XashXdawnX - Here's another chapter to It's a Bet. Enjoy and just be advised this has some triggering scenes.
"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.
Leaf groaned and buried her head into Gary's chest as the alarm blared disturbing her sleep. She felt him shift under her and she whined. But the blaring sound was now silenced.
"We have to get up and ready." Gary's voice said, deeper from being groggy.
"Five minutes," she mumbled and snuggled closer.
Gary sighed and looked at her. She was so content. He loved having her in his arms and being with her.
"Five minutes. That's it." he said and kissed her forehead.
Leaf sighed and closed her eyes. He ran his hand through her hair and just looked at her. He still couldn't believe everything she had been through, yet she still smiled and had so much love to give. He would help her no matter what.
"You're staring," she mumbled.
"I can't help it."
She opened her eyes and was shocked to see the amount of care and...was the love in his eyes? He couldn't love her...right? Not yet. Not after everything she had gone through. No, she was seeing things. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
"How do you plan on telling them?" Gary asked.
Leaf opened her eyes again.
"Five minutes are up. I didn't want you falling back asleep."
She sighed and rolled away from him.
"I thought we could come here after school. I can't tell them during school cause that would involve us skipping classes and me having yet another breakdown and I wouldn't be able to focus. I don't want people seeing me break..."
Gary pulled her to him, sensing her fear.
"Ash and Dawn won't think of you any differently, Leafy. They care about you and they're your friends. They're going to be here for you. And if you break again, we're all here for you. You have people now. You aren't alone anymore."
Leaf felt her eyes watering at his words. She didn't want to cry this early in the morning, so instead she squeezed his hand and got out of the bed, hurrying into his bathroom.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly. She knew Gary was right. She knew they wouldn't think of her any different, but she still hated how the revelation caused her to breakdown each time. None as bad as the night she told Gary everything, but still she broke nonetheless. The only positive that happened was she was now with Gary for real. But she still wondered what she had seen in his eyes. It wasn't the first time she had seen such strong emotions. And it wasn't the first time she thought she had seen something more in his eyes. But if he did...how did he? How could he? She was broken. She could barely accept herself, but she was trying her hardest to do so. Maybe with time she would? Leaf knew that she cared more for Gary than she wanted to admit, especially once her deepest darkest secret was revealed. But she couldn't admit it to herself or accept it yet. And she sure as hell wasn't going to tell him. Everything was still so new.
Shaking her head, she turned on the water to get a shower.
As she turned the water off and wrapped her body in a towel and ran the other through her wet hair. She then realized she hadn't grabbed her clothes before running into the bathroom. She listened for any noise, but she didn't hear anything. Maybe he had gone down to the kitchen?
She cracked the door opened and peered out. She saw him still laying in the bed. He had his back to the bathroom. She quickly ran over to the chair where she had put her outfit for today and then darted back into the bathroom.
Now dressed in a pair of acid washed skinny jeans, an over sized sweater, and sock clad feet she walked back out into the bedroom.
"Gary?"
He didn't answer. She walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it.
"Gary?"
Still nothing.
She climbed closer to him on the bed and leaned over him. He had fallen back asleep.
"And you told me we didn't have time." she muttered.
Soft snores she could now hear. His lips were slightly parted as he slept. He looked so peaceful. She almost didn't want to wake him up, but they did have to get to school.
She kissed his lips softly then with a little more pressure. She felt the shift and heard the change of breathing. He was stirring.
"Come on, sleepyhead. We're gonna be late if you don't hurry." she said.
She leaned back up and away from him, but squealed as he pulled her back.
"Sorry," he said and gave her a quick peck before he hopped up.
Leaf smiled at his back as he walked to the bathroom.
She got up and decided to head downstairs and make them both some coffee to take with them. He was going to need the extra boost since he had fallen back asleep.
She grabbed two of the muffins from the other day as well for them to have for breakfast. As she pour two travel mugs of coffee, she heard footsteps.
"You ready?" Gary asked.
She put the lids on and turned to face him. He was dressed in a red hoodie and jeans. She then noticed he had her converses in his hand.
"Yeah, just gotta put my shoes on. Thank you,"
She grabbed her sneakers and slid them on. She grabbed the two travel mugs and handed one to Gary as they walked out of the house.
They now sat on the bleachers waiting for Ash and Dawn to meet up with them before school began.
"I'm still nervous about telling them...and how they'll react." Leaf said.
"They won't ever think of you any differently, Leafy. They're your best friends. They're gonna help you and be there for you."
"I sure hope so..."
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"Thank you for everything, Gary." she said softly and pecked his lips.
"Well that doesn't seem like an act. That was a sweet kiss." Dawn's voice said.
Leaf jumped, startled by the interruption and looked to see Ash and Dawn climbing up the bleachers.
"You okay?" she asked as she sat down beside Leaf.
"Yeah, you startled me is all."
Dawn nodded her head.
"So I was thinking we could all hangout at my house today after school?" Gary asked.
He sensed Leaf's discomfort and wanted to make it easier for her to get them to his house.
"Yeah, I'm down."
"Same here,"
"Awesome."
The shrill sound of the bell ended any other conversation for happening.
As Leaf gathered her things from her locker at the end of the day, she could feel the weight pressing down on her. She was going to tell her deepest, darkest secret yet again. The third time to tell it to more people close to her.
She closed her locker and saw Gary walking towards her.
"You ready?" he asked.
"No...but it has to be done." Leaf replied.
He grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He never let go of her hand as they walked to the parking lot and to his car.
Leaf stared out the window as Gary drove them towards his house. A million thoughts went through her head with a million different scenarios.
She jumped as Gary touched her arm. She then realized they were at his house.
"Ready? I told Ash and Dawn to come about thirty minutes after school ended, so you could have some time to prepare."
"Thank you,"
The two walked into the house and to the living room.
"I'm gonna go change into something more comfortable. Be right back," Leaf said.
"I'll make you a coffee?" Gary suggested.
"You're the best."
Leaf pecked his cheek and went upstairs. She grabbed a pair of yoga shorts, one of Gary's t-shirts, and some knee high socks. She changed out of the clothes she was in and into her comfy ones. She then pulled her hair into a messy bun on the top of her head.
She heard the doorbell as she headed to the bedroom door. She stopped. Ash and Dawn were here now. Had she really taken that long to change clothes?
She walked downstairs and found Gary, Ash, and Dawn in the living room.
Dawn's eyes widened when she saw Leaf in a shirt that was obviously not hers. But she remained quiet and waited.
Leaf sat down next to Gary on one of the couches and he handed her the coffee he had made her.
"Thanks," she said as she tucked her legs under her.
Ash and Dawn were sitting on the couch opposite of them.
A silence had fallen over the four friends. Leaf could feel her tension and she knew the others could feel it as well.
She let the mug warm her fingers before she took a few sips and set it on the table.
"I asked Gary to invite you guys over because I needed to tell you something." Leaf started.
Ash and Dawn were both now waiting for her to continue.
"Would you rather good news or bad news first?" she asked.
"How bad is bad?" Dawn asked.
Leaf looked down and quietly said: "Pretty bad..."
"Well how about the good news first?" Ash asked, changing the subject.
Leaf nodded her head and she grabbed Gary's hand who squeezed it reassuringly.
"We're officially dating for real." Leaf said.
Dawn squealed. "I knew it! I knew it! As soon as I saw you walk in with his shirt on!"
"How'd it happen? The bet? How long?"
Leaf laughed slightly.
"It's partially because of the bet, but also because of the bad news. It hasn't been long at all. Only since this weekend."
Leaf reached for her mug again and took another sip of her coffee.
Was she prepared to tell this horrible story again? Was she ready to reveal her darkest secret yet again? No. But she knew she had to. This was something that needed to be done. She needed someone with her, especially if she was being watched and followed by someone with ties to Richard.
Leaf set her mug down and took a deep breath before she released it. She couldn't bare to look at Ash and Dawn, so she stared at the coffee table instead as she began to speak.
"Well as you both know, I moved during ninth grade, a little after the new year. We moved cause mom needed a change, so she took a loan, rented out our old house so we could move back to my childhood home if we ever wanted to come back."
"Mom found work as a bartender and she fell in love with it. We were happy. We were surviving this new adventure, just the two of us..."
"But then she found love. She was smitten by one of her regulars and before long they were married. I had a step-father. This happened around summer break before sophomore year would begin."
"My life changed. It was no longer just my mom and me. Now there was a man in the house. I had to get to know, Richard."
She bit her lip and closed her eyes.
"Summer ended and my sophomore year of high school began. My mom was having to take up late shifts so she was working nights, Richard worked days."
Leaf felt the tears burning her eyes. She bit her lip as she felt her breathing wavering. She dug her nails into her palms. Gary grabbed her hands and rubbed his thumb over her hands until she released them from the fists. He laced his fingers with hers and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Halloween night I went to a costume party with my friends. I got home around eleven I think...When I was home I found Richard drunk."
"I hadn't ever seen him drunk before and I was scared. I tried to just get to my room without any interactions..."
She choked and wiped at her eyes.
"It was never the same. It didn't stop."
She heard Dawn gasp softly, but she didn't dare raise her head yet.
"My mom was so happy and I couldn't bring myself to tell her. I couldn't ruin her happiness. So I put on a facade."
She took a shuddering breath.
"Then my mom was gone before I knew it. Hit by a car while crossing the street one night after her shift. The culprit was never found."
"With my mom gone...Richard lost himself with alcohol. Everything got worse. I was consumed with grief and hated myself. I buried Leaf the day my mom died. Or really on Halloween and became a shell of myself, until my mom's death. Once she died, I built a new persona to protect myself, but also to forget everything. I had to because I reminded Richard of her. So I changed my looks and my personality."
"I had to become stronger...but I couldn't stop things from continuing."
She wiped at her eyes again.
"I'm letting her stay here until we can get him put where he belongs and anyone else. She wanted to tell you all because of me wanting her to be with someone all the time. We believe she's being watched by Richard or his buddies." Gary said.
Leaf finally raised her head and looked at Ash and Dawn. Dawn had tears falling down her cheeks and for the first time ever, Leaf was seeing Ash angry.
Dawn stood up and walked over to where Leaf was. She held her arms out, asking for a hug. Leaf stood up and hugged her friend, crying into her shoulder and Dawn also cried.
"You are so strong, Leaf. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. I'm here for you for anything you need." Dawn said as they released one another.
"The same goes for me, Leaf. I'm here for you. You won't ever be alone and you are strong." Ash said.
Leaf gave a small smile. "Thanks guys,"
Gary hugged her and she felt weight lifted off her shoulders. For the first time since everything had happened, she had support from people. She was no longer alone with this burden. She had help and she was going to get through this.
Please R&R