Without A Doubt

Chapter 54.

When Liv had composed herself a bit she wiped her eyes one more time then looked at me. For the first time in a while I felt like she was really looking at me. The clouds that had overcast her eyes were slowly starting to recede. She gave me a sideways smiled and then put her hand on my cheek. The contact felt good, her hands were warm. She pulled me into her and placed her lips on mine. As her fingers slid down to my neck I flinched back when they accidentally graced the cut I'd made earlier.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Instinctively my hand went to cover the open wound. I know that this is a dead giveaway but it's just a reflex by now.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Upon further examination Liv looked at me and said,

"When was the last time you ate?" In all honesty I couldn't remember. Did I eat breakfast? I know I missed lunch.

"I'm not sure." Liv shook her head somewhat annoyed.

"Let me see." My hand was still covering the cut. Hesitantly I moved my hand away from my neck and moved my hair so she could examine me. I felt her fingers trace around on my skin around the cut. Once she'd removed her hand, I let my hair fall and then looked at her. When I saw her though she had tears in her eyes again.

"Woah wait, why're you crying? I'm okay I promise." I huffed out anxiously. I wiped the tears away with my thumbs and tried not to panic.

"Did you have a panic attack because of me?" I thought about it for a second.

"Yes and no." I laughed.

"What?"

"I sort of got trapped in ISS, and I don't know, I just kind of freaked out. I knew you weren't okay and being trapped in that tiny room just made me anxious. I made my mom bail me out. I was okay for a while but when I got home I just sort of spiraled." Liv was just staring at me.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be sorry. It isn't your fault. I promise." Liv nodded then said

"Okay." I pulled her into me and kissed her lips again.

"I'm okay. I promise." She smiled at me again and said

"Okay. But we need to get you something to eat."

"Okay."

Liv and I picked up something to eat, and then I dropped Liv off at her house. I wanted her to spend the night but she said she needed to get home and talk to her dad. After I dropped her off I remembered my phone. I had muted it right before I got to Liv's. When I opened it I saw all the texts from my mom. The most recent one said 'Get home now.' I'm in so much trouble.

The second I stepped through the garage door my mom was waiting for me in the kitchen. I could feel her anger from the door way. I knew from the look on her face that she was more worried about me than anything, and with every right. I text her out of nowhere to get me out of class, then I just dropped off the face of the earth, and I wasn't here when she got home. Anyone would be worried. I inched my way into the kitchen and stayed perfectly quiet.

"Where have you been?" Her voice was low and quiet.

"I was with Liv."

"Would you like to explain to me why you were in ISS?"

"I got caught trying to leave." My mom pinched the bridge of her nose and looked down at the ground.

"Why were you trying to leave Mayson?"

"I was feeling anxious because something happened with Liv and she wasn't texting me back. I started to panic so I was going to leave, but a teacher caught me and sent me to ISS, and then I started panicking more and that's when I text you."

"The alarm says you got here at 2:15."

"I did. I came home." I hesitated a bit but continued.

"Then Liv called me and I went to get her and we talked then we went to get something to eat because I don't think I'd eaten today." My mom was just staring at me. I could tell she was debating on whether or not to be mad.

"How bad was it?" She's talking about my panic attack. I felt my hand on my neck.

"It wasn't that bad." I lied. My mom knew I was lying but she didn't push me on it. She just walked over to me and hugged me. I let her and even hugged her back. She was still hugging me when she said

"You're grounded by the way. For a week." I let out a somewhat annoyed but still understanding sigh and said

"Okay."

"Give me your phone."

"Can I at least tell Liv first?" My mom nodded her head and let me tell Liv. I just sent a quick text saying 'I'm grounded. I love you. Be safe. See you tomorrow.' I then handed the phone to my mom and watched as she turned it off and put it in her purse. I just looked at her, then I went over and hugged her again.

"I love you mom." I could tell she was confused at my sudden display of affection.

"I love you too." She hugged me back and kissed my forehead.

"You're still grounded though."

"That's okay." I laughed. At this my mom gave me a funny look. She then asked me for the whole story and not just the bits I had told her earlier. I sat down at the table and started going through the events of my day. I told her everything about Liv and her mom. Once I was done my mom just looked at me. She didn't say what she was thinking. And I know it's because adults, especially moms see things a little different than we do. But I know she still felt the same way I did. After everything Liv told me, I have so much more appreciation for my mom and everything she does for me. I'm lucky.