Chapter 7
795 Words
Ophelia
I awoke lying on a very soft bed with blankets that were just as soft. I pushed myself to sit, but fell right back again as the room stared to spin and I groan.
"Don't sit up yet, sweetie. You'll feel groggy for a while still." Turning my head slowly I see Mrs. Graham sitting in a chair by the window. She set down the book she had in her hands and made her way over to sit on the bed. Remembering everything that had happened I start to tear up.
"I'm s-sorry I ruined your dinner." I say, my voice no more than a whisper. Mrs. Grahams eyes start to glisten with unshed tears that she blinked away. She shook her head and took my hands in hers.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, my sweet girl. If anything you made the night. Between you and me, I think everyone was getting bored." Her voice dropped to a whisper toward the end, a hint of amusement behind her words that caused us both to chuckle. After a moment her face became serious again. "Your father showed up not too long ago."
I freeze.
I knew he would come looking for me, but the punishment would be worse since he had had to find me. I try to get up again but am forced back down to the bed by Mrs. Graham. "Oh no, you are staying right there. I put that man in his place as soon as he arrived. Sitting on my front porch making demands that you leave with him. I will do it again if need be." She tells me sternly.
The tears come faster as I sob. "I have no where else to go. I have no family, no money." In the next second the door slams open and Ezra stomps his way over to me.
"You will stay here! We are your family! I've told you countless times that you are the sister I never had and I meant it! You aren't going back there, O." His chest rises and falls as he seethes in anger. I know it's not anger directed at me, but at the situation. More tears fall as I look at my best friend. Ezra had always been there for me when he could, never letting me push him away like everyone else.
He sits beside me and pulls me into a crushing hug. "Why wouldn't you just let me help sooner? You know I hate seeing you like that. We could've helped." Ezra chokes out as he starts to cry as well.
"I'm sorry, Ez. I didn't want to burden your family with this. You had already been doing so much."
"You have never been a burden!" Mrs. Graham states firmly. "We have, and always will, love you like family. I would have gladly fought for you to be ours." She sniffles and quickly wipes a few stray tears away. Before I can respond her phone starts to ring. When she checks to see who it is she answers immediately.
"Hello?" She listens for a while before answering again. "Alright, I'll let them know. We have everything under control here. We'll see you tomorrow." Mrs. Graham hangs up after that and shoves her phone back into her pocket then turns to Ezra. "Your cousin will be here in the morning. He's already booked a flight and is on his way to the airport right now." She says with a smirk.
Ezra breathes out a short laugh. "Uncle Keegan called it."
Their attention turns back to me.
"Let's get some food in you." Mrs. Graham says cheerfully before opening the door and leaving the room.
I face Ezra and he gives me a warm smile. "Come on O. I'll give you some clothes for tonight after you eat." He takes my hand and pulls me up, then we make our way out of the room.
A few steps down the hall I stop. "Hey Ez?"
"Yeah?" He asks.
"What about my stuff at my dad's? I have a few important things there."
His brow furrows as he thinks about it. After a few moments he meets my gaze again. "We'll go tomorrow afternoon to get it. You aren't going inside alone either." He gives me a pointed look. "I mean it, Ophelia, you aren't going into that house by yourself."
I want to argue, but I just nod, knowing it's for the best. "Okay."
Ezras face breaks out into a grin. "Did you just listen to me?" He asks, making me roll my eyes.
"It will never happen again. Promise." I say and we laugh as we make our way down the stairs. For once, I feel like I could sleep in peace.
- Writer
