Headaches #4
The woman nodded, “Of course. Let us know if we can help.” Trit nodded. How about no? Do not trust those two people. My mind was reeling as my head started to pound again. Before I could say anything, I was pulled away.
I screamed, because my head hurt being yanked back. Several people looked towards me in shock. Astonishment lit in all my brothers’ eyes. My grandpa though, sorrow and fear flashed in his. Yeah, my being here probably ruined his plan since I knew he wanted nothing to do with me.
The man had the audacity to run after me, “Odette, please wait. Let me explain I….” I was gone before he could. I didn’t think I wanted to go back there for the rest of the weekend. I spent all my time with Keaton, avoiding my email and my phone.
Which had blown up with notifications. I knew it was my brothers. I just didn’t know what to say. Caspian would never understand how much his words meant to me, and I didn’t know how to express it yet.
My big brother wasn’t doing the easy thing for himself, his mob connections, or the people he knew. He was standing by me. It was a new feeling. I had to find the right words to thank him. Until then I was doing what I did best, avoid the situation.
My grandpa was another story. Sorrow filled me when I thought of him. I’d always watched enviously on grandparents day in my schools, when everyone’s came. I always wanted that, but no one was ever there for me. The teacher usually did all the activities with me.
Now, I guess I had a grandpa. One who willing to give me up for my mom’s life. On one hand, I understood that given he didn’t know me. No one ever wanted me. So, why would he? I shook those thoughts away.
School passed by as thoughts filled me. Sassy was a little somber too. Keaton was what kept us grounded from this depression I was spiraling in. I didn’t understand my reaction. My brothers and Noxus wanted me.
Why did the fact that my grandpa didn’t care if I was miserable, my entire life, mean anything? I didn’t know him. I was used to people not wanting me. Sassy was really sad about it too though. I knew I was in a fog. Immy looked worried about me a few times when we weren’t with Keaton.
I was totally unprepared for Lisa to be in the school parking lot. Sassy was hissing in my head. What was with this girl and her tears? Sassy totally lost it and ripped off Keaton’s shirt which made Lisa really mad. Hats off to Sassy though.
Keaton’s shirt wasn’t her personal tissue. That was weird. Not to mention ridiculously gross! Lisa reached for Keaton, but Sassy made me grab her hand. I squeezed tightly and she looked into my eyes. Keaton’s ex shrieked loudly. That was not a normal sound, Lisa needed to get a grip.
We stared at each other. Sassy was hissing and clearly warning this girl. For some reason, I was certain that Lisa knew what I was doing. I knew one thing; I wasn’t leaving the snot smearer with Keaton. She had an agenda.
Lisa was an abuser and she didn’t like that Keaton wasn’t under her control anymore. I should know, I had one of my own. Actually, I had more than one. My mom, Luke, and honestly it sounded like Alon would join their ranks.
I decided to show Lisa exactly who Keaton’s girlfriend is. It wasn’t the most mature move, but I still kissed him making sure she knew. Sassy was definitely on board and smugly sang her song. Lisa just wasn’t going to let it go.
When she said that Keaton and I didn’t know each other our whole lives like they did, an intense anger filled me. I slammed the truck door shut, but not before I saw the look of smugness on Lisa’s face. Well, she could shove it.
I wasn’t upset that I didn’t know every detail about Keaton’s life at this point. I was pissed that his ex knew him longer than me. I looked out the window and whispered, “I should’ve known him this whole time.” I knew that thought didn’t make sense and wasn’t rational.
My head was pounding again, but everything in me believed I should’ve known Keaton longer than she did. It annoyed me that she was there when I wasn’t. I could’ve played with him when we were children.
I could’ve been there, and then Lisa never would’ve been in the picture. I winced as my head began to feel like a spike was going through it. I needed to take my mind off it. I wanted to do a driving lesson and not focus on how life would’ve been so different.
If only I’d met Keaton before I moved from Tennessee the first time. We wouldn’t have our toxic ex’s or have this drama and baggage around us. Keaton didn’t understand, but I didn’t expect him to. I knew it sounded crazy that I was upset that we should’ve known each other.
I couldn’t explain why I felt that way, and I might throw up from this headache if I tried. I was wiping tears away while Keaton talked to his uncle. His uncle was pissed. Keaton ended up wanting to plan spring break.
Sassy happily hummed in my head. I just wanted to make sure planning a trip didn’t stress Keaton out as much as Valentine’s Day had. I wasn’t like Lisa. I wanted to leave Keaton on a better note and had sexy ideas.
Other girls in my old school’s talked about quickies. We could do that; this was a thing. Sassy was laughing her song. How could one laugh while singing? I wasn’t sure but Sassy was. I wanted Keaton and I to be connected. I wanted him.
I wanted to be like those other couples I’d seen all over the country. I didn’t want to be with Luke in any capacity, I only wanted Keaton. I felt this energy between us, I never wanted to change. I wanted the tingles forever and always.
When we kissed, I felt as if Keaton somehow invaded my very soul.
Sassy was not laughing now. She was singing her song beautifully and more contently than she ever had.
The quickie didn’t happen, it couldn’t. We were both so happy.
I could swear that I felt Keaton’s lust and elation as if they were my own.
When he dropped me off, I ran past a smirking Ken to my place. I got inside and looked at Tatum. I said, “Weird things keep happening, Tatum.” My puppy yipped happily then I went into my office space. I opened up my laptop at the same time; I was getting a video call.
I answered, “Hi, Caspian….” I trailed off realizing all my brothers were there. I added, “and everyone. You’re all here.” They looked rather relieved. Cython groaned, “I did not need to see her with ‘I just had sex’ hair.” I blushed and quickly threw my hair into a ponytail.
Caspian spoke, “You haven’t been answering us.” I blushed, “Umm I was a little busy this weekend.” I heard several people snicker off camera. A man yelled, “She means getting busy!” Cython yelled, “Harish!”
I asked, “Who is Harish? Is he one of my nephews I didn’t know I had?” Caspian snorted, “So you heard a lot of that conversation then?” I crossed my arms, “Maybe.” Cython answered, “Harish is my song, and he’s a shit starter.”
I replied, “He seems funny.” Harish yelled, “I’m hilarious! They are testy. They thought you were mad at them.” I winced, “No, I’m not mad at them. I actually just don’t know how to express this and I’ve been trying to think of a way to say it right.”
Trit said, “Just tell us, you don’t need to craft your feelings to us.
” I explained, “It’s just everyone leaves me, but Caspian refused.
He stood up for me without knowing I was there.
He refused to leave me behind, and I could see it on your faces you agreed.
” Tears filled my eyes and I tried to subtly wipe them.
I whispered, “You weren’t going to abandon me and do what was easy. It means everything to me. I love you guys, and I miss you. I’ve been kind of depressed about the fact that my grandpa doesn’t care about me.”
“I don’t know why it even matters, but even Sassy is sad.
We’ve been in a funk because he doesn’t accept us.
I don’t even know why I care. Other than the fact that I've always been jealous of people with grandparents. Mine doesn’t even want me, but that’s not surprising. No one has wanted me, even mom.”
I took a deep breath, “I’ve been sad and happy and now…” I trailed off because I felt Keaton struggling with something. How did I know it was Keaton? No clue. How could I feel it? Also, no idea. I was getting weirder by the actual second.
I shook myself, “Anyway, I wanted to thank you guys. For not abandoning me and if you want to visit, I’m in….” I started to choke. I jumped up to go get some water then came back when I stopped coughing and choking. That was weird. I sat back at my desk.
Caspian said, “Odette, I know this doesn't make sense to you but you’re not going to be able to tell us where you are. We’re working on it.” I rubbed my head because the pounding came back. Trit asked, “What’s wrong?”
I whispered, “My head has been hurting a lot. This weird lady that keeps appearing in my dreams said it’s because I’m trying to get around her magic. Pretty sure she thinks she’s a Witch. My subconscious is weird like that now.”
Caspian urged, “Let’s just talk about other things and see if that helps your head, ok?
” I nodded my agreement. Caspian said, “I want you to know that I will not ever abandon you. That goes for us all. You are our sister, and we will NEVER hand you over to, or leave you with, the Merrick’s.
” I snorted, “Grandpa would.” It hurt more than it should.
Cordelius chimed in, “He really wouldn’t.
Grandpa’s going through a rough time, and he said things he didn’t mean.
We’ve all been arguing for a while, as I’m sure you could tell all our tempers with him were quite short.
” So, Cordelius was holding onto grandpa not being bad, but I saw Alon for who he was.
Cordelius continued, “Grandpa has been beside himself since you left and weren’t answering us. He thinks he’s ruined everything between us and for himself.” I said, “Well, it’s not like he and I have a relationship to ruin. I definitely won’t trust him any time soon or ever.”