Sorry it took a bit but I’ve got the next chapter for Larissa and T 🩵🦋
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Or if you’d rather read it here⤵️
Summary: Things are tense at best with your family, you’re tired of being in the middle and as Robby says “set it on fire”, right?
Chapter 20: Where Only We Know
The soft morning light floating through the curtains woke you up today. You knew eventually the rain would take control like it always did so for now you’d enjoy it. You got up and made your bed, walking to the kitchen to make your coffee. You grabbed your journal and sat down.
Journal Entry: November 26th
So Larissa is my girlfriend..that feels weird to say. I mustered the courage yesterday after lunch. She almost spent the night but we decided against it, it’s much too soon for either of us.
Shania is coming by today, I have some stuff for her from Dad since he doesn’t really want contact with her. She’s bound to be upset about it, I just hope it doesn’t cause any issues. I don’t want to lose my sister…again. I know how she assumes that I am Dad’s favorite so I see this going sour anyway.
Shania walked through the door at half 8 and sat down next to you at the table.
“Good morning, sister” she said
“Morning, Shan. How are you?”
“Tired, I ended up hanging out with a guy last night”
“Just don’t get pregnant”
“Why do you assume that would happen”
You both laughed and you got her a cup of coffee to sip on while she went through stuff.
“So, there’s a letter from Dad..” you said cautiously
“Let me see it” she reached out
You handed it over quietly and went to do dishes while she read.
I know things have been hard and I apologize for that. I love you as your dad but as a person I cannot have you in my life. You are far too much like your mom and I don’t want that reminder in my life. I only want the best for you, that’s why I’ve sent these things to Tristen for her to give them to you. They are my final gift to you, my first born. I’m sorry that I won’t be here to show you through your ability the way I was for Tristen but I cannot change how I feel. Moving forward I wish to have no contact with you, if you need something you can go through Tristen to get it from me.
She slammed the letter down causing you to jump a little and turn around,
“He doesn’t want me in his life” she said with tears in her eyes
You knew what was in the letter, you hadn’t read it but you had talked to your dad. Before you could say anything else she broke down completely.
“He says he loves me but doesn’t want me?! That I have to go through you?!” She almost yelled
“Do not” she warned, “did you know?” She demanded
You were silent a beat too long, she stood up and came up to you.
“You knew, didn’t you? You KNEW HE DID NOT WANT ME.” She yelled into your face
“Shania” you said softly, “sit.”
She scoffed and slammed back into her chair, staring at you.
“I was aware that dad did want no contact…yes” you said slowly
“You let me get blindsided by my own father.” She spat
“Shania you can’t tell me you didn’t see this coming.” You said
“Shan…you’ve been awful to dad since the divorce. You refused to see him, you called him names, lied to the courts. Of course he wants nothing to do with you.” You recalled
“You were 19…” you eased in
“You aren’t, you just want a parent to lean on since mom passed and we’ve found all of this out.”
“He’s supposed to be that parent”
“He might’ve been if you hadn’t tried to ruin his life, Shania.”
A sudden force hit your cheek at once, stunned you turned to her and she was shaking her hand out.
“Get out.” You said calmly, “don’t come back”
She huffed and got up, “I should beat you for that”
“I wouldn’t lay another hand on me if I were you.”
“Get out.” You said barely above a whisper
She left slamming the door.
You laid your head on the cool wood of the table hoping to soothe the sting on your face. Tears fell against the table, you didn’t want to be in the middle but it’s where you’ve found yourself your whole life. Your chest ached with unshed sadness, throat burning and tight. You sat up and went to check your face in the mirror.
You next move was to call Larissa, she is always awake by now.
It rang once, twice and she picked up at the third
“I’ll be right there, is she gone?”
“Yeah, I kicked her out after she did it”
No longer than 20 minutes past before Larissa knocked at the door and you opened it.
She looked over you, eyes wet with tears, a red mark forming on your cheek, slow shallow breathing, and slightly shaking.
She wrapped her arms around you and pulled you close,
Once you were seated on the couch you started telling her what happened. You started with your journal entry and took it until she finally left. Larissa never once interrupted and asked to read the letter. You could see the horror on her face while she read it.
You were fidgeting with your rings when Larissa got your attention,
“I know you didn’t want things to be sour again, but it seems like you knew what would happen.” She said
You nodded, “I did, I just didn’t think she’d hit me. The crying I expected, maybe even the yelling but never the hit.”
“I’m proud of you for not hitting her back, I know some people would just do it.”
“I’ve never been much of a fighter.” You shrugged
“She’s hurting, Tristen. You both are.” She added
“Hurt people hurt people I guess” you huffed
“Her upbringing is the reason she is the way she is.” Larissa shook her head
“Normies are taught that hitting is acceptable. They are brought up cruelly so they release that to other people.”
“She’s not a normie though..”
“She was brought up as one, she was raised to act this way.”
“Larissa, not all Normies are like that.” You said defensively
“Wow.” You said standing up
You knew Larissa still held her wary beliefs of Normies but now she was talking about your sister. It caused some nasty feelings to resurface.
“I think I want to be alone” you admitted
“No. You hate normies and my sister hates me. I just need some time to think.” You started to pace
Larissa nodded and stood up, kissing your head and leaving.
Once the door was closed you picked up your phone and texted the only logical person left: Robby.
TRISTEN: Robby are you busy
ROBSTER: Never to busy for you
ROBSTER: Come on down, we are about to go get coffee
You put some shoes on and headed down the hallway. You passed Larissa’s office and could hear her talking to Morticia but you didn’t stay to eavesdrop.
“I think I may have upset her.” Larissa admitted
“What did you say?” Morticia asked
“I made a generalized statement that Normies are taught to be cruel to others.”
“Chèrie, you know that isn’t true.”
“I know, I was just upset.”
“She asked to be alone for a little while, hopefully I didn’t damage it too badly.” She sighed
“Have you found a new therapist yet?”
“I have, I start with him next week. He seems like a wonderful person.” Larissa smiled
“Remember what I said, she deserves the best version of you. That means you can’t spew your fear at her even when you feel like it’s correct.”
“I made a mistake, I just want to move past it now”
“That’s entirely up to Tristen and not you”
Once you got to the weathervane and inside out of the cold November air you took your jacket off and went to your booth. You sat across from Robby and looked at your hands.
“So she really hit you?” He asked
“She did, then Larissa made it worse” you groaned
“I’m sure that wasn’t the intention but I can see the damage it caused.” He agreed
“Robby do you think I made a mistake?”
“Not telling Shania ahead of time.”
“Maybe so, but she wouldn’t have reacted any differently. I know she’s your sister but she’s explosive and unstable most of the time.”
You sighed as the barista came to get your order.
“What can I get for you?” She asked
“Hi, can I get a red eye please?”
“Of course you can, Tristen.”
“What can I get for you, Robby?”
“Can I get a flat white please and an Americano for Scotty, please?”
“Sounds wonderful so I have a Red Eye, Flat White and an Americano?”
“I’ll have it right out” she smiled
“Thanks, Milly” Robby waved
Robby turned to you and raised a brow,
“What on earth are you doing ordering a red eye”
“It’s espresso with coffee”
“It sounds like self harm”
“I’m worried about you, Tris.”
“Because your mum died, your sister came back, Harper is psychotic and your girlfriend is afraid of people.” He said smoothly
“Well when you say it like that it makes it sound like I’m going through a lot.”
“You are” he put his hand on yours
Soon your coffee was brought to you and sat down, you took a slow but long drink and let the warmth spread through your chest. You sat back and looked out the window at the rain that was starting to pour.
“The weather is a great mood detector” you said humorlessly
“It knows you’re hiding something.” He said
Silence fell over the table again until Scott cleared his throat,
“Tris, you can talk to us”
“I know I can, I just don’t want to say it out loud” you shook your head
“You’re safe enough to do so though.” Robby pointed out
You stayed quiet for a few minutes
“I just feel like I’m being pressed under the weight of a failed family.” You finally said
“Then get out from under it.” Scotty said
“Stand up, Tris. You aren’t responsible for these clowns. They are all adults and can conduct themselves as such and if they can’t then that’s not your problem. You’ve carried more than you’re able for years with this stuff, set it down or set it on fire.” Robby said calmly
“Yes let me set my family on fire”
“You know what I mean” he laughed
“I know” you wrapped your hands around your mug and listened to the rain hit the window.
Larissa was answering an email when Morticia knocked on the door,
“Chèrie, I have a question”
“Is everything alright?” She asked
“Wednesday would like to extend the poison section we are on by adding a few.” She said
“Like what?” Larissa asked
“She would like, don’t freak out, to add Deadly Nightshade” Morticia said softly
“Absolutely not” Larissa slammed her hand down
“It would be helpful for the students though.” Morticia tried to reason, “That way we know what to do if..”
“If what? If it happens again?” Larissa demanded
“Larissa, darling, we have to move past this.”
“I am trying, Morticia.” She said
“This is a step in the right direction, I promise.” She promised
“Fine, but keep it away from me. I don’t even want to hear about it.” Larissa returned to her email.
“That’s not healthy, Darling”
“Neither was being poisoned but I see I won’t have a choice this time either, will I?” She scoffed
“I’ll try to keep it quiet for a little while.” Morticia said
You walked down the hall and saw Larissa’s door open slightly, you fought with yourself on whether to knock or not but you lost.
You knocked on the door softly,
“Hello Darling, come in” she smiled
You walked in and closed the door behind you, you stood at the door for a moment before walking forward towards her desk.
“What’s the matter?” She looked at you over her glasses
“Have a seat, I’m all yours.” She said
You sat down and crossed your legs, you looked at her for a moment and then said,
“What happened this morning can’t happen again.”
“I’m aware that I was out of line with what I said. I apologize.”
“I can’t be with someone who hates them that much, Harper ruined it for me. I know most of it is out of your control but you are responsible for your own healing.” You said
“I know, I see Dr. Reese next week. I promise you that I will be more cautious with my words moving forward.”
“Thank you..for apologizing.”
“An apology was owed, it’s really simple”
“Tristen what else is going on?”
You felt yourself shrink a little bit, you sat back in the chair and sighed
“Robby made a good point earlier and now I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Essentially to light it on fire, not literally because that’s murder but to set it all down and walk away.”
“Yes, I can’t do it anymore. I thought I could hold everyone tight enough but I can’t.”
“That’s alright, my love.”
“If Shania comes back when she calms down, I’ll gladly accept her back because I want to help her but I can’t play middle man anymore.”
“It’s not, it’s simply a surrender.” She said
You looked around the room then, taking in the smell of the polish and wood. You paid extra attention to the crackling of the fire and how the rain sounded against the window. Larissa’s perfume hung in the air around her. A soft jasmine and sandalwood scent with an under note of death. You smiled then, a real smile.
“I think I’m where I’m supposed to be, with who and what im meant for.” You said
“A grand realization for the day.” She smiled
“I still can’t believe it”
“That I’m dating the headmistress.”
“Well that is quite the feat, so I’m told” she smiled
You stood up and rounded her desk, she slid her chair out and you sat down on her lap.
“Help me write this email, will you?”
“Of course, Headmistress”
“That sounds like self harm”
“Not when it’s with you” you softly said
“Somewhere only we know” you smiled