p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9b4324cb124547e749f68bd5e309362d"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"!TW: Talk of blades, pain, jumping out a window (not for sewer slide)!/span em style="box-sizing: border-box;"(Let me know if I missed any)/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0c0666a3a19ac868eedf5f58d8ab175a"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="12d68ebfa09a60692359acf0ad0a8e50"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" "Ok," I said sensing that the conversation was over. Dad stood up and walked out the door leaving me alone with 8 people who I was never supposed to meet./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1f5018d33818040419ab16700238f184"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"~Steve POV~/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="35941105362804af22e4b7927052d41e"The girl- apparently Tony's daughter had passed out pretty much as soon as he had left to call a surgeon. None of us had spoken a word; we just sat or stood in our respective positions waiting. Eventually though (only 15 minutes later) she woke up. She surveyed the room seemingly confused for a minute before her features twisted into recognition. Probably not unlike the way we had all looked as we saw the similarities of her to Tony. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a18d6326266ec998d9bb533223c6026c""So," she started, "have you said anything since I got here?" Everyone shook their heads except Peter. Peter looked like he thought he might break everything apart if he so much as breathed. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ef888ae143a477494a24a2b8fa0757e7""Can a girl get some sodium chloride and sterile water around here," Peter snorted and stood up. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d5dad1df1993f2eb9bfaf1db928be283""Where is it?" everyone else in the room was oblivious to what they were talking about. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="49659cc2ca03af0f6fb26cb2142f4bd4""It's over by the sink on the counter." Peter scrambled over to the sink in the corner where she had pointed and grabbed whatever they were talking about. He brought the IV- she was apparently talking about an IV- over to the girl- I needed a better name for her- who grabbed them and thanked him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="03fb364b0e3729ca6226813115641ee9""So, what's your name?" she locked eyes with me as I asked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="df553273c8ff7e595f9cc17151d912f9""Deirdre, my name is Deirdre Stark. It literally means 'daughter'. He wasn't very creative when it came to names," The 'he' clearly referring to her father in the other room. "although you didn't ask for that. Sorry I tend to ramble when I'm in pain." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0dbe47af75911e8a8aa7418946d4d505""If I call you Deirdre you should know my name. I'm S-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7142a5cc14adbf971b645e7af46833cb""No need I already know your name Steve Rodgers." That made sense. Everyone knew my name. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5159fb9c679df6ab00aa1ac7f8f211fb""I'm-" Deirdre interrupted Natasha like she had to me. She was already done putting in her IV./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="60188c4818283fd24369dd35305c3970""I mean I know what all of your names are," this shocked and angered me. Did Tony just tell her everything? Before I got to comment on it a white middle aged man and a younger black woman both with PPE on came into the room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c26305854a0fd694ccf0ea6435154fce""Out all of you" the girl ordered at us. We rushed out in a blob of color. Concern and confusion littered all of our faces./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e7d45f74262b38267ed989726de3e1b8"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"~Tony POV~/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d23679019f6a64d1242741d4bf7e1cc2"The anesthesiologist started working on getting Deirdre to sleep as soon as everyone including me had left the room. We all stood in front of the one way mirror watching what was happening. The tension in the small room could have been cut with a knife. I internally flinched at that last word. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e2ea037044b57441000139a9849cdb8b"While we watched the surgeon work her magic we didn't talk. Eventually the surgeon left the room. Fifteen minutes later she walked into our little viewing room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6628e76a2d7fbd17ac253c4130cbb58b""How is she?" I was desperate to know how my kid was doing. She was my life. After Pepper had died I had nothing but her to live for./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="777daf230c5fca8d8cb66eabb0fbf92f""The outcome looks good. Although, I have to ask, how long has it been since she was injured?" intrigue was displayed plainly on her face. I knew why./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="afc5cfedb97a133635f99027fc924073""It's been about 12 hours," I lied through my teeth, knowing full well that I was. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d335d0d99f0ae0c27b54b3f4c8251fec""Oh," the intrigue dropped, leaving way for tiredness, "well, I'm going to get going. Take care of her. It should only take 6 months for her to fully recover and I can come and see her at regular intervals between."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1395816e88f431173aeb9c8e2ece8cbb""There will be no need for that." I knew she would be healed in 4 hours maximum. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3d7e57898f334c80c883c5c5e6bfea8a""Ok, um, I will leave then."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="10143554cc0b495dc0a1eae5822c4241""Sounds good," the others didn't question that I had asked her to not revisit. They probably thought I wanted to do it myself. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ddff98347f360770d8e1bb9d283f90d8"After she had left I ran out to the room and pulled a chair over to the side of Deirdre's bed. No one followed me. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="013b71b37d0af2e6aebc130041671581""Hey kid. The doc says you should be healed in 6 months. I know better but still, to know that you are suffering... it hurts." I felt a rare tear slide down my cheek. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9cfbce274dada0e6855ad55497996d56""Don't cry dad. You know I'll be fine. In fact I think I'll get up and hug you now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0428e00ef81965fbef6eb16e9015cad2""What, but, if-" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6c47a70af0fc859687e88d88faf8e20c""No buts" she hopped out of bed and into my lap. We rarely showed emotion so it was especially special when we did. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="872e5f398cc2bd51420dc4c8e928c0bd""I love you, dad" I was crying then. No way of hiding it. She was too. I pulled back to look at her. The bruises that were once there were gone already gone. She was so beautiful even if she didn't know it. I knew we would have serious things to discuss, but for now, I just wanted to hug my daughter. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="269688ec8bf3f32e0ae2b6ea5f0e69ef""I love you too, kid." she smiled back at me pulling me in again for another hug./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="477f09081d8e7817a1ded97e5e63899a"~Deirdre POV~/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ebc6188a82cfd0ff7eb2cb60f4bf3de1"I don't know how long we sat there in each other's arms. It was like every hug we never had contributed to this one, making it longer. It was nice. Just having that contact. I knew that it wouldn't take any time at all for me to recover physically, mentally however, I knew it would take a long time for me to be ok mentally. Not that I was ever mentally ok but.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2aa33e3338f27c107ee907d69320993b"Eventually I must have fallen asleep because I woke up at 3am alone but in my bedroom. I got up and made my way to the living room as I knew it was where they would be. I was right./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="85fc3ffb6bf1eaea9d3f90138b3d7d94"I heard the muted voices of the TV on the wall. They were watching a movie? I thought that they would surely be talking about me. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4fa8f258f5886d7de706947bd0720a20"I figured now would be as good a time as any to go inside. I just wanted to cuddle my dad and relax. I steeled myself and opened the door. 9 faces looked up at me, this time instead of hostility I saw confusion on the 8 "other" avengers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b8d834b75d133df94c504ca4c15f01d7""Hi," I said lamely. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="90df6cd74876d93fc1bec8207f76733f""You should not be up," said Steve. I rolled my eyes at him. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8dcdb240759512a978a727f60ad45286""I am fine," Dr. Banner scoffed. I rolled my eyes again. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3c2b6b5a7d006e8cb5e78e1f4b1b4c03""Look." I lifted my shirt showing the fully healed stab wound on both sides. Everyone but my dad was shocked into silence. I took the break in conversation to walk around the people in the room to get to my dad on the couch. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="db970586cc501ae60b71b2329e9ffc36""Hi dad."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="08a85993681010936d5028a9a59c87ba""Hey kid."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="88af50143d826662f035c6057605b38d""Is anyone gonna explain what's happening?" Peter seemed the most confused of all the people in the room. He- as always- was oblivious to the tension in the room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2003c9b162e0578f0a79284b453dba1""In the morning." I heard dad speak up. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3bbca4a173cf6414827ef8689a571471""Agreed," I was already falling asleep again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf29a4b14e494d8bde38fabeaa0dbe78""I mean technically it is morning, just really early." We all rolled our eyes at Peter. I turned my eyes to the TV where a football game was on. I groaned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="375e80d96ed519e9449adce9c25441e7""Are you ok? Does it hurt?" Dad was suddenly alert again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b354d6e764fd7171633b200c531d64eb""With the number of times you have heard this sound come from my mouth you think you'd recognize it by now," he still looked confused. "I hate football."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a6a2ef1204896dacc2ab7320707296fa""Oh," he said sheepishly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1986506e0ee025b6f742e2639d8db2b0""Can we watch something else?" I was hopeful./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="556395bc4967f847b1363e20b9623640""Oh yes! How about Miss Congeniality?" I froze. I couldn't believe that of all the movies Peter could have chosen, he chose that one. I took three deep breaths. I could do this, I would do this. I couldn't pretend to not want it, dad knew how much I loved it. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30a756698f4aa3eb154d05fa83d7adcd""Sure," I spoke up. My voice sounded small. "I love that movie."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d5de9c2ee97ad32bdf417d4b4d19c35c"Dad flipped to HBO Max and started the movie. Everything went well until that one part. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a2b43ff5abfeb433093f81c2bab4031b""And if all else fails just go for the four sensitive areas on the body..." I was hyperventilating by the time she got to instep./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="33e565c704f73fb1cdb7b19a6529ff98""I'm sorry," I rushed out of the room to the hallway. I crouched down and cried. This was the second time I had cried today. After 5 minutes I knew someone would check on me so I went up to my room and changed. The tears still flowing freely down my face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f7ce2be0de5ca19556fbd05b52607bb8"I pulled on black jeans and a black hoodie. Someone had brought the stuff I had on me when I was attacked up to my room so, luckily, I had my phone. I grabbed the headphones I had in the drawer in my desk and plugged them into my phone. I went to my songs that feel like mental breakdowns playlist and hit shuffle. The song that came on was I Lost a Friend by FINNEAS./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3671c3183493210024fb43bb20ff12ba"I pulled open my window and jumped out using the air to lift me up instead of falling down. I reached the roof and started jumping from roof to roof. I was still in a small amount of pain but at this point I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from that movie, that alley, that memory. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e6fd4107fa9a1838689b68196c511706"I wanted out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5d0dc7ab8b803bdaed48a998e22e3387"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5af95c2b613dccffad5750e10014cdbe"Next Up: I sat back on the bean bag and opened chapter one getting ready for a long night of reading. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ee890fc56f6e950b31e964c6e94b07d3"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8493575794f6c8b4993454650750a9da"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"AN: Hello Humans! Thanks for reading. Let me know if you dislike the different POVs I added. New chapter tomorrow. Don't forget to drink water./u 3/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30222f4cb49d0f7427db3aeee4ccdcf2"~Adaline 3/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7f2125756d18e356bded16d4bd51dda9"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Word Count: 1486/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="67ed6ddb7d890b23166c1bef771e9451"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"Edited/u/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0c0666a3a19ac868eedf5f58d8ab175a"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="12d68ebfa09a60692359acf0ad0a8e50"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" "Ok," I said sensing that the conversation was over. Dad stood up and walked out the door leaving me alone with 8 people who I was never supposed to meet./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1f5018d33818040419ab16700238f184"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"~Steve POV~/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="35941105362804af22e4b7927052d41e"The girl- apparently Tony's daughter had passed out pretty much as soon as he had left to call a surgeon. None of us had spoken a word; we just sat or stood in our respective positions waiting. Eventually though (only 15 minutes later) she woke up. She surveyed the room seemingly confused for a minute before her features twisted into recognition. Probably not unlike the way we had all looked as we saw the similarities of her to Tony. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a18d6326266ec998d9bb533223c6026c""So," she started, "have you said anything since I got here?" Everyone shook their heads except Peter. Peter looked like he thought he might break everything apart if he so much as breathed. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ef888ae143a477494a24a2b8fa0757e7""Can a girl get some sodium chloride and sterile water around here," Peter snorted and stood up. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d5dad1df1993f2eb9bfaf1db928be283""Where is it?" everyone else in the room was oblivious to what they were talking about. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="49659cc2ca03af0f6fb26cb2142f4bd4""It's over by the sink on the counter." Peter scrambled over to the sink in the corner where she had pointed and grabbed whatever they were talking about. He brought the IV- she was apparently talking about an IV- over to the girl- I needed a better name for her- who grabbed them and thanked him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="03fb364b0e3729ca6226813115641ee9""So, what's your name?" she locked eyes with me as I asked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="df553273c8ff7e595f9cc17151d912f9""Deirdre, my name is Deirdre Stark. It literally means 'daughter'. He wasn't very creative when it came to names," The 'he' clearly referring to her father in the other room. "although you didn't ask for that. Sorry I tend to ramble when I'm in pain." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0dbe47af75911e8a8aa7418946d4d505""If I call you Deirdre you should know my name. I'm S-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7142a5cc14adbf971b645e7af46833cb""No need I already know your name Steve Rodgers." That made sense. Everyone knew my name. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5159fb9c679df6ab00aa1ac7f8f211fb""I'm-" Deirdre interrupted Natasha like she had to me. She was already done putting in her IV./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="60188c4818283fd24369dd35305c3970""I mean I know what all of your names are," this shocked and angered me. Did Tony just tell her everything? Before I got to comment on it a white middle aged man and a younger black woman both with PPE on came into the room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c26305854a0fd694ccf0ea6435154fce""Out all of you" the girl ordered at us. We rushed out in a blob of color. Concern and confusion littered all of our faces./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e7d45f74262b38267ed989726de3e1b8"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"~Tony POV~/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d23679019f6a64d1242741d4bf7e1cc2"The anesthesiologist started working on getting Deirdre to sleep as soon as everyone including me had left the room. We all stood in front of the one way mirror watching what was happening. The tension in the small room could have been cut with a knife. I internally flinched at that last word. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e2ea037044b57441000139a9849cdb8b"While we watched the surgeon work her magic we didn't talk. Eventually the surgeon left the room. Fifteen minutes later she walked into our little viewing room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6628e76a2d7fbd17ac253c4130cbb58b""How is she?" I was desperate to know how my kid was doing. She was my life. After Pepper had died I had nothing but her to live for./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="777daf230c5fca8d8cb66eabb0fbf92f""The outcome looks good. Although, I have to ask, how long has it been since she was injured?" intrigue was displayed plainly on her face. I knew why./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="afc5cfedb97a133635f99027fc924073""It's been about 12 hours," I lied through my teeth, knowing full well that I was. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d335d0d99f0ae0c27b54b3f4c8251fec""Oh," the intrigue dropped, leaving way for tiredness, "well, I'm going to get going. Take care of her. It should only take 6 months for her to fully recover and I can come and see her at regular intervals between."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1395816e88f431173aeb9c8e2ece8cbb""There will be no need for that." I knew she would be healed in 4 hours maximum. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3d7e57898f334c80c883c5c5e6bfea8a""Ok, um, I will leave then."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="10143554cc0b495dc0a1eae5822c4241""Sounds good," the others didn't question that I had asked her to not revisit. They probably thought I wanted to do it myself. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ddff98347f360770d8e1bb9d283f90d8"After she had left I ran out to the room and pulled a chair over to the side of Deirdre's bed. No one followed me. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="013b71b37d0af2e6aebc130041671581""Hey kid. The doc says you should be healed in 6 months. I know better but still, to know that you are suffering... it hurts." I felt a rare tear slide down my cheek. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9cfbce274dada0e6855ad55497996d56""Don't cry dad. You know I'll be fine. In fact I think I'll get up and hug you now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0428e00ef81965fbef6eb16e9015cad2""What, but, if-" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6c47a70af0fc859687e88d88faf8e20c""No buts" she hopped out of bed and into my lap. We rarely showed emotion so it was especially special when we did. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="872e5f398cc2bd51420dc4c8e928c0bd""I love you, dad" I was crying then. No way of hiding it. She was too. I pulled back to look at her. The bruises that were once there were gone already gone. She was so beautiful even if she didn't know it. I knew we would have serious things to discuss, but for now, I just wanted to hug my daughter. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="269688ec8bf3f32e0ae2b6ea5f0e69ef""I love you too, kid." she smiled back at me pulling me in again for another hug./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="477f09081d8e7817a1ded97e5e63899a"~Deirdre POV~/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ebc6188a82cfd0ff7eb2cb60f4bf3de1"I don't know how long we sat there in each other's arms. It was like every hug we never had contributed to this one, making it longer. It was nice. Just having that contact. I knew that it wouldn't take any time at all for me to recover physically, mentally however, I knew it would take a long time for me to be ok mentally. Not that I was ever mentally ok but.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2aa33e3338f27c107ee907d69320993b"Eventually I must have fallen asleep because I woke up at 3am alone but in my bedroom. I got up and made my way to the living room as I knew it was where they would be. I was right./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="85fc3ffb6bf1eaea9d3f90138b3d7d94"I heard the muted voices of the TV on the wall. They were watching a movie? I thought that they would surely be talking about me. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4fa8f258f5886d7de706947bd0720a20"I figured now would be as good a time as any to go inside. I just wanted to cuddle my dad and relax. I steeled myself and opened the door. 9 faces looked up at me, this time instead of hostility I saw confusion on the 8 "other" avengers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b8d834b75d133df94c504ca4c15f01d7""Hi," I said lamely. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="90df6cd74876d93fc1bec8207f76733f""You should not be up," said Steve. I rolled my eyes at him. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8dcdb240759512a978a727f60ad45286""I am fine," Dr. Banner scoffed. I rolled my eyes again. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3c2b6b5a7d006e8cb5e78e1f4b1b4c03""Look." I lifted my shirt showing the fully healed stab wound on both sides. Everyone but my dad was shocked into silence. I took the break in conversation to walk around the people in the room to get to my dad on the couch. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="db970586cc501ae60b71b2329e9ffc36""Hi dad."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="08a85993681010936d5028a9a59c87ba""Hey kid."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="88af50143d826662f035c6057605b38d""Is anyone gonna explain what's happening?" Peter seemed the most confused of all the people in the room. He- as always- was oblivious to the tension in the room. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2003c9b162e0578f0a79284b453dba1""In the morning." I heard dad speak up. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3bbca4a173cf6414827ef8689a571471""Agreed," I was already falling asleep again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf29a4b14e494d8bde38fabeaa0dbe78""I mean technically it is morning, just really early." We all rolled our eyes at Peter. I turned my eyes to the TV where a football game was on. I groaned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="375e80d96ed519e9449adce9c25441e7""Are you ok? Does it hurt?" Dad was suddenly alert again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b354d6e764fd7171633b200c531d64eb""With the number of times you have heard this sound come from my mouth you think you'd recognize it by now," he still looked confused. "I hate football."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a6a2ef1204896dacc2ab7320707296fa""Oh," he said sheepishly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1986506e0ee025b6f742e2639d8db2b0""Can we watch something else?" I was hopeful./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="556395bc4967f847b1363e20b9623640""Oh yes! How about Miss Congeniality?" I froze. I couldn't believe that of all the movies Peter could have chosen, he chose that one. I took three deep breaths. I could do this, I would do this. I couldn't pretend to not want it, dad knew how much I loved it. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30a756698f4aa3eb154d05fa83d7adcd""Sure," I spoke up. My voice sounded small. "I love that movie."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d5de9c2ee97ad32bdf417d4b4d19c35c"Dad flipped to HBO Max and started the movie. Everything went well until that one part. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a2b43ff5abfeb433093f81c2bab4031b""And if all else fails just go for the four sensitive areas on the body..." I was hyperventilating by the time she got to instep./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="33e565c704f73fb1cdb7b19a6529ff98""I'm sorry," I rushed out of the room to the hallway. I crouched down and cried. This was the second time I had cried today. After 5 minutes I knew someone would check on me so I went up to my room and changed. The tears still flowing freely down my face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f7ce2be0de5ca19556fbd05b52607bb8"I pulled on black jeans and a black hoodie. Someone had brought the stuff I had on me when I was attacked up to my room so, luckily, I had my phone. I grabbed the headphones I had in the drawer in my desk and plugged them into my phone. I went to my songs that feel like mental breakdowns playlist and hit shuffle. The song that came on was I Lost a Friend by FINNEAS./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3671c3183493210024fb43bb20ff12ba"I pulled open my window and jumped out using the air to lift me up instead of falling down. I reached the roof and started jumping from roof to roof. I was still in a small amount of pain but at this point I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from that movie, that alley, that memory. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e6fd4107fa9a1838689b68196c511706"I wanted out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5d0dc7ab8b803bdaed48a998e22e3387"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5af95c2b613dccffad5750e10014cdbe"Next Up: I sat back on the bean bag and opened chapter one getting ready for a long night of reading. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ee890fc56f6e950b31e964c6e94b07d3"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8493575794f6c8b4993454650750a9da"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"AN: Hello Humans! Thanks for reading. Let me know if you dislike the different POVs I added. New chapter tomorrow. Don't forget to drink water./u 3/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30222f4cb49d0f7427db3aeee4ccdcf2"~Adaline 3/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7f2125756d18e356bded16d4bd51dda9"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Word Count: 1486/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222;" data-p-id="67ed6ddb7d890b23166c1bef771e9451"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"Edited/u/p