Dry Your Tears Chapter 31
No p.o.v
Amy and Shadow sat side by side, leaning their heads against a wall of one of the halls in the hospital. They'd been in that position for about thirty minutes. Neither knew who should speak first, so they both spoke at once.
"Amy-"
"Shadow I-"
Shadow looked at Amy and nodded for her to go first.
"I'm sorry, Shadow. We've just met but I'm sure I've managed to stress you out. Xander broke down in there, and I didn't entirely know what to do or say. I know you don't have the best of opinions of him, and neither do I, but I think when he's better I'm still going to stay with him. It's just a gut feeling that I should. You can yell at me if you want..."
Shadow shook his head. "It's your decision not mine. Always trust your gut. There's no way he's getting released tonight, so where are you gonna go?"
"Back to his apartment I guess. I'll get things cleaned up and ready for his return. It was never really the cleanest of places to live in..."
Shadow nodded with a grunt and began to stand up. "I'll see you later then-" Shadow stopped mid-sentence as Amy placed her hand over his. "Please...will you come back with me? You can stay there...unless you have a place of your own."
Shadow slid back down to the ground. "No, I don't have a place of my own. I guess I'll stay."
The two remained silent for a few more minutes until Amy spoke again. "Hey, Shadow.."
"Mmm..."
"When my aunt came earlier...you said she wasn't fooling anyone. You said that she knows more than what she's trying to act like. Do you think...do you think she knew that Xander and Vera would be abusive to me? Do you really think my own family member would do that to me...?"
Shadow sighed quietly and closed his eyes. "Sometimes your family doesn't act like family. Never forget that."
Amy wasn't too sure that was the answer she was looking for, but nonetheless she appreciated it. The sound of heels could be heard not too far down the hall. Amy looked up to see Ms. Veronica, the social worker coming their way. She stood over Amy with a worried expression. "It's over Amy. I can see right through all of this. You don't have to stay with this man any longer."
Shadow stood and walked down the hall to give them their privacy. Ms. Veronica sat next to Amy, pushing her glasses closer to her face. "I can find you a new home, Amy."
Amy shook her head and spoke very quietly. "Don't you get it? I'm not a pawn in the game of chess. I don't want to be moved around like a game piece. I'm staying with Xander. Things have changed. I'll even be returning to school sooner or later."
"Amy, are you sure about this? You're a young girl having to make grown up decisions, and in this particular case its perfectly alright to put yourself first."
Amy nodded. "I'm sure. I've been making grown up decisions for years now."
Ms. Veronica gave Amy a solem look and stood back up. She dug in her purse and handed Amy a card. "If you need anything, anything at all, call me. Even if you just need a friend, or a shoulder to cry on." At that, Ms. Veronica walked away. Amy rubbed her thumb over the shiny card and placed it in her pocket as Shadow came back over. Amy stood and looked him in the eye. "I think I'm ready to go now."
Shadow nodded and the two walked out into the chilly air. Amy walked side by side with Shadow as they crossed sidewalks and busy streets. "Do you think I'm a coward for not leaving Xander?"
Shadow shook his head. "I think it makes you pretty brave."
Amy stopped and stood in front of Shadow with tears in her eyes. "Then why am I still crying?! Why am I so hurt..."
Shadow held Amy's face up with his hands and kissed her softly. They kissed in the middle of the sidealk for what seemed like an eternity. Shadow pulled away and let go of her. "You're still crying because no one ever told you life would be this hard." Shadow continued walking ahead of Amy. Amy traced her lips with her fingers as a single tear fell. He was right. No one had taught her about things like that, but worst of all, she wasn't too sure if she knew how to love.