Healing closed wounds

Part 17 - together again

~ ALICES POV ~

I'm seated beside dad at the end of the table. Beside dad is Harper and then Grayson.

Across from me is Owen, Ivan, and then Laura. I can't really see the other half of the table unless I move my head all the way to the right.

After eating a bit conversations begin to start and the noise increases. It's not too loud but it's also not quite.

"Aly how are things at school now that you have time on your hands." She says obviously referring to me not cheering anymore.

"School has been pretty good." I say.

"What school do you go to?" She asks before taking a a sip of her drink. "I go to Eastwood high." I smile.

"Where do you go?" Owen asks Ivan who sits beside him. "Kingston high" he reply's making Owen smile.

"That's exactly where I went!" Ivan and Owen start talking about Kingston high as I finish eating my food. Here and there I glance up at Ivan as he talks to everyone around the table. I want to talk to him I just don't know what to say.

I accidentally flinch when dad moves his hand to grab his drink. I try to cover it up by shifting in my seat. I try to steady my breath as I look up to see Ivan and Owen looking at me.

I look back and forth between them. "What?" I say innocently and they both shake their heads. "Nothing."

"May I be accused I need to use to washroom really fast." I ask Laura.

"Oh sweetie don't even ask go right ahead!" She smiles.

I smile back as I get up and start walking towards the washroom. The layout of the house is the same so I know exactly where to go.

I sigh as I walk inside and lock the door behind me. I really need to refresh my face with water but I have makeup on and that would not be good. Instead, I pull up my sleeves and wash my hands hoping it will relieve some of my stress.

I look down at my hands and see the marks that were left there and my breath starts to pick up. No I need to breathe. Not here.

I start to panic when I can't control my breathing. I cant panic. Not now.

I slowly slide down the wall and count down from 100. This doesn't seem to work but I keep on counting hoping it will soon. When I get to 47 my breathing goes back to normal.

I sigh quietly and get up. I quickly fix my hair before walking out.

When I walk out I see everyone starting to clean up the table. I go to help but I'm stopped by Laura. "Why don't you and Ivan go to the living room and catch up?"

She looks at Ivan and I. I nod as Ivan starts walking to the living room.

When we both get there he sits on the ledge near the window. I take a seat on the opposite end of the ledge.

We both don't speak.

"Are you okay?" He asks suddenly making me look up at him.

"What do you mean?" I say.

He lets out a little breath. "At the dinner table I saw you flinch when your dad moved his arm."