Chapter 2 - Broken Bond
Third P.O.V.
After the talk with Bruce, Elena didn't feel better at all. She agreed with his argumentation, but what he didn't seem to realize was that every time he would go out, she would lay awake until he would return.
She already worries about him every night, she didn't want to have to worry about her little sister too.
Deciding not to confront her younger sister immediately, Elena retrieved into the kitchen where Alfred was already in the preparation of the dinner.
"Miss Aria seems like a nice and polite young lady." He greets her. Over the last two years, the old man has grown pretty close to her. He was always there for her with advice and companionship when needed.
"She is. Although I still can't understand what has gotten into her. Why is she insisting on moving here instead of going to college?" Mumbling more to herself really as she takes a potato starting to peel it.
"I understand, how that might not seem like the smart idea, but I do believe that your sister knows exactly what she's doing."
"But that's exactly my point, Alfred. She doesn't know! Her head is so in the clouds that she can't see what's right in front of her. You out of all people know what I mean, you are up all night too when Bruce is out and I see every day what this city does to the people. I see it every day in the hospital just how bad it gets with every passing day.
"Miss Elena", Alfred turns to the distressed woman looking softly at her. "If you allow. Yes, I do worry a lot about Master Bruce, but I also know that if I would tell him to stop, he would continue with his mission, just without me and that would be way worse not knowing what happens to him." He takes a moment before deciding to go on. "And if you also allow me to say this, but when I was in the military, I saw horrendous things. Now I don't want to scare you Miss Elena, but you'd be surprised what people are capable of doing, everywhere in the world. Some men aren't looking for anything logical like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men simply want to watch the world burn."
She knew that Alfred had seen a lot of unimaginable things, but he hadn't encountered her parents. The only thing that she could think about was, how her sister was about to throw her life and future away.
The elderly man gently puts his hand on her shoulder. "And it's in those moments that the true fighters come out in people and you'd be surprised how many manage to survive."
She knew exactly what he was referring to. 6 months after she had moved to Gotham, Elena had met Scarecrow. Working in the General Gotham Hospital she caught on quickly that he was up to no good, but thankfully a bat was lurking in the darkness to save her.
"Thank you, Alfred. I'll go get Bruce and then we can start to eat."
Arias P.O.V.
Thank you, Alfred, the food is delicious." I smile at the elderly man as we start to eat. Steak, mashed potatoes and broccoli. The smell alone is so overwhelming.
While we continue to eat, Bruce starts to tell me about the city. "So yeah, that's pretty much about Wayne Enterprise but if you're interested I am free for the whole day tomorrow, I could show you around town."
"That'd be wonderful. Thank you so much. I'm pretty excited to start exploring Gotham." And this was the truth. Considering that I wasn't allowed to go anywhere without my parent's permission I'm looking forward to maybe even taking a risk and doing things, I usually wouldn't do.
"I'm at work tomorrow until around 8 p.m." Suddenly Elena drops her fork, staring at Bruce with her eyes wide open. "The party!"
Staring at them confused, Bruce lights me in. "I'm throwing a party on Friday for my friend the district attorney, Harvey Dent and we all kind of forgot about that." He chuckles slightly. "You're more than welcome to join us, Aria."
Shaking my head slightly, denying his offer. "Thanks, but I think I'll just stay in if that's okay with you?" but before Bruce gets the chance to answer Elena groans as she looks at me.
"Aria, Gothan isn't the place for you. Is this because of your hormones? You were never this defiant! Why on earth do you have to be so stubborn and won't listen?" she screams. "This place is full of criminals, lunatics, and psychopaths and besides you just graduated, why don't you start looking for colleges instead of this nonsense!"
"Maybe because I don't want to go to college!" Screaming back at her, guilt immediately takes over me once I realize that I had just raised my voice at my sister, in Bruce's home nonetheless.
A deep sigh escapes me as tuck my head in letting my black hair fall into my face. I try to remain calm while continuing. "Gosh, Lena. Did it ever occur to you that I may not want to live my life how Mom, Dad and you are expecting me to live it? I haven't done one single thing that I've actually wanted to do. I mean I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't have any friends, because no one was ever good enough for you guys. I even dressed how you want me to, because you say my style it shit."
Not my intention to curse at the table, well not even in general. Cursing just seemed to be unnecessary, but I was getting so mad and a little part of me was glad that I was finally getting to say everything I'd been holding inside for my whole life.
"I haven't even colored nor cut my hair, because everyone was making such a fuss about it. Mom even said if I dared to color it, she wishes for my hair to fall out completely and that she'd kick me out of the house." Frustrated I ran a hand through my long black hair, which went past my lower back.
"Oh, so you haven't done anything. Saint Aria has done nothing wrong at all." Her voice is bitter and full of hate.
"Lena, don't!" I warn, knowing exactly where this was going. Knowing that sooner or later I would hear the dreadful words from my sister.
"Hey, you knew best when you decided to go to that party. You desperately wanted to go to this prom, feeling that you'd miss out on something if you didn't go. And then long on behold Aria gets cold feet, so mom and dad had to come pick you up."
All eyes are now on Elena as she keeps talking. "So yes, it is your fault! All of this is your fault. Mom and Dad are dead all just because of you!"
Swallowing hard I can feel my tears on the verge of spilling and in that moment Elena seems to realize just what she has said.
"Aria I'm sorry. I didn't.." She starts to mumble an apology, but I'm in no way interested in hearing it.
"Yes, you did. You're right, Lena. I dared one time to disobey our parents and they are dead all because of me. But you seem to forget one thing, sis. I was there the whole time trying to put the pices back together, but where were you?"
Starring daggers at me. Warning me not to go there, but it's far too late to stop the words from flooding out of my mouth. "Yeah, you were here. You had people around you, helping you to get through it while I was completely alone. In that house. I've stayed behind in that town, Lena. Still managed to finish High School. Do you have any clue just how much more complicated I had to walk to school just to make sure I wouldn't come across that bridge? And through the whole time, you barely called me, let alone offered to come and see me. Heck you weren't even at Mom and Dad's funeral! So you can sit here and pretend all you want that you're the perfect sister just looking out for me, telling me that I'm ruining my life, but the matter of the fact is I am staying in Gotham whether you like it or not."
Once I'm finally finished with my rant I realize that Bruce and Alfred just keep on exchanging looks with one another and again, guilt covers me completely as I let myself sink even more into my seat.
Awkwardly clearing his throat Bruce chips in "Aria I'm more than glad to have you living with us. I am sure you will settle in very well."
Turning around to face my sister. "And Elena as for the party don't worry, Alfred and I'll plan everything so you can focus on just enjoying the night. I wanted to surprise you, but why wait? I've bought you that blue dress that you liked a while back."
"And Aria, the offer is still up if you decide to change your mind."
"Thank you, but I'd rather just stay here."I've never been particularly interested in posh parties and I've never really been going out anyway and the only time I've been has ended in tragedy.
"Of course and besides Alfred will also be here if you need anything." Bruce seems like a pretty decent guy. I see why Elena likes simply complement each other perfectly.
We continue to just sit there for a couple more minutes in silence before Alfred stands up and starts to carry the plates back. I follow his actions taking some of the dirty dishes with me.
"Miss Brooks, you don't have to." Reaching for the plates, but drops his hands as soon as he sees the look on my face.
"I'm sorry for what just happened," I mumble feeling my cheeks slightly heat up.
"No need to apologize. I'm sure that your sister was just overwhelmed with the day as a whole. If I may say, tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to start fresh."
After everything was clean again, Bruce announced that he needed to go back to Wayne Enterprise for an urgent project. Passing their Master Bedroom Elena is already in bed and reading in one of her medical books. Before she became a nurse and moved out of home I used to stay up with her to help her learn for her test. After she received the job offer in Gotham our whole relationship just changed and considering tonight's dinner the chances of a recognition aren't looking as promised as I had hoped for them to be.
Going into my room, I take out my pajamas which consist of a baby blue tank top and some black sleeping shorts. It's pretty warm in Gotham, considering it's only April, well close to May actually.
Throwing my hair into a messy bun I make my way into the bathroom. Turning the shower on and stepping inside I'm greeted by the warm water hitting my body as my mind wanders off I start to sing, which is something I would never do in front of someone.
"I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself 'cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way, to never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even a whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only myself but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I wanted you to die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better
Than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you"
Finishing up, careful not to make the floor wet as I step out of the shower put my PJs on and let myself fall into the bed. As soon as my head hits the pillow I slowly start to drift off into arestless sleep but just as I was dozing off I could've sworn that I felt like someone was creasing my cheek.