Previously…
I came off of the loveseat to plop next to Leah and lay my head on her other shoulder. I placed my hand on top of theirs on top of Leah's stomach, feeling the baby kick through my hand. Leah and Sam smiled as I gasped at the feeling. "Awww she's kicking me!"
"She wants to meet her auntie real soon," Leah teased, and yawned.
"I'm just glad you all are safe." I rubbed her belly in circular motions as my sister fell asleep in Sam's arms.
~oOoOo~
The next day, I heard voices in the kitchen and living room.
My mind wasn't ready to fully wake yet, but my ears were. I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to listen through my closed bedroom door. I rolled over in my sleep and sighed, hearing my mom's voice through the wall.
"I just can't believe that happened last night," My mom sighed. I could picture her running her hands through her curly brown hair, just like when I did when I was stressed. "My first thought was, 'How is Leah? Is Leah okay? Is the baby okay? Get them out."
Tears welled up and spilled over into my ears. I quickly brushed them away and tried to stay quiet. I could have lost my family last night, all because of some drunk clown who didn't check his blind sides fast enough.
"I'm just glad that Bella wasn't there. I don't know how she would have reacted." Leah said.
"Gosh, she probably would have been panicking." My mom remarked worriedly.
"Does she still go through that? The panic attacks, I mean." Leah wondered.
I sat up slowly, waiting for Mom's answer. Leah knew about my anxiety but not everything. I especially didn't give her updates on him.
"Sometimes, yeah. I think that boy really messed her up, mentally. I swear if I ever see him again—" mom started angrily, and I jumped out of bed, slamming into the door.
"Wait, what boy?" Leah asked, and before I could hear my mom answer, I opened my door and burst downstairs to gently hug my mom.
"Mom! You're okay." I greeted her.
"Hi, baby," she smiled weakly and groaned as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. "Ow, careful. I'm still in pain from last night."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." I rushed and quickly let go of her, but still held her hand. I didn't know what would have happened if I'd lost her.
I glanced at Leah. Her eyes glazed over me, like she was a scientist studying an experiment, and I felt my body shrink under her gaze. I knew she had questions buzzing in her head about me and him, but I couldn't bear to face what could possibly be her judgement and scrutiny. I may not have talked to Leah in awhile, but I'd heard from my mom (who has the biggest mouth in the world!) about Leah's past painful breakups and heartbreak. So while I was ashamed and embarrassed about my own past abusive relationship, it gave me some empathy towards Leah's past. I still couldn't tell her what happened to me last year, though. It was too hard when I was still digesting it.
"Do you have work today?" my mom asked, tearing Leah's eyes away from me to her.
"Yeah, but I'll just call out if you guys need me." I replied.
"No, it's okay, go. Take an Uber," my mom suggested. "Keep going with your life, don't worry about me."
I sighed, checking the time on the kitchen clock. "Okay, at least you won't be alone." I glanced at Leah again, who flashed a quick smile. I guessed I could go in today, knowing that my family was better made me feel more relieved. And if anything new were to happen again, they'd let me know. I went back upstairs to get ready for a new shift.