Archive of Our Own

Y/n's pov: 

We walked downstairs into the dining room where the big, oval, oak table with matching chairs was. I looked at Nat to see if she was okay and not overwhelmed, but in exchange I recieved a big smile and her chocoloate eyes filled with excitement as she saw Helena walk into the room from the conjoined kitchen, with plates in her hands, full of spaghetti. 

My stomach clenched. Or atleast I thought it did. I tried to suppress the thoughts as I sat down, with the plate in front of me. I grabbed the fork and took a deep breathe, slowly breathing it out with my eyes closed. I was trying. I really was. I brought the fork to the meal and started turning it, making the macaroni stick around it. 

I put the spaghetti in my mouth. The only reaction I had was "Mmmmmm" with my eyes closed. Fuck. I said that outloud. I looked around me to notice Helena smiling at the end of the table and Nat giggling beside me. I nudged her arm, signaling for her to stop. Nell just had a warm smile and the words "Im proud of you" all over face. 

She knew I struggled with eating and sometimes felt like I couldn't, but I never told her I used to starve myself for days. I knew I could trust her. Nell's the only person that knows and honestly I don't think I would've come this far without her. 

"Oh ye, Y/n, how was the competition? Nell told me about it" Helena began, breaking the silence. "Oh it was good. Our team ended up winning with 36 or 38 points ahead of the team that took 2nd place" "And umm, is that big difference or not..?" Helena asked confused trying not to sound rude " Yes, thats a VERY big difference. Usually there's like 1-5 points difference" I chuckled at her cluelessness. 

"God dammit Y/n! Why do you always have to be such a math nerd! 'Now Mr. Zombie' will compare us all to you! Ughh I'm skipping maths for the next 2 months..." 

Nell always reffered to Mr. Zomboro like that because, according to her, he always talked like one. I think he's a good teacher but Nell doesn't share the same oppinion... probably because she sucks at maths and he keeps on failing her. 

After we finished eating, I opened my phone to see when the next bus will be here. "Ok Nat. Quickly grab your stuff and let's go. The bus will be here in 8 minutes so we don't have much time" "Ugh-" "Don't even try your puppy eyes cuz they're not gonna work on me today anymore!" She sighed, knowing she lost this battle. As she slid off the chair, Helena interrupted. 

"No! You're not going to be going by bus now. I'ts late and cold, not to mention that you're 2 young girls. That's like a dream-come-true for pedos and others!" Helena argued, standing up and walking towards us. She placed her hand on Nat should looking at me. "Just give me the address and I'll drop you guys h- ..there" She calmly offered, trying to percuade me. 

"Oh no, we've already stayed for dinner. We couldn't possibly allow you to also drive us around. Please, we are fully cappable of getting there safe" I insisted. " Well you won the battle with Nat, but you just lost this one. Honey, grab your stuff and wait in the car, we'll be there in a sec, ok?" She added to Nat, getting a nod with a bright beem on her face. She looked at me, sticking her tongue out to me in victory. 

I rolled my eyes and noticed she ran up to Nell and hugged her. That's her way of saying thank you to people she knows they understand her. "OMG SHE TRUSTS NELL AND HELENA!!!!" The voice in my head was screaming as Nell happily skipped towards the living room and back, to get the car keys from Helena. 

I looked at Helena with defeat in my eyes, as she walked over to me "Sweetie, you could never be a burden to us. Not you or Nat. Remember that!" The woman marked the last 2 words and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back, feeling safe. The only hugs that make me feel safe are from Helena, well, now... 

"Ok so what's the address? Helena asked once we were all in the car, with me and Nat in the back. Nell stayed back at home to do some homework that I managed to do on the bus. 

As we drove, Helena put some light music on from her CD. Ye ok, Nell was right. Her music taste is... specific... 

Anyways as Helena was in her own world, vibing to the songs, this gave me a chance to talk to Nat about the lunch money thing. 

"Nat, I need to talk to you. It's about the lunch money. I found it in your bag - the one I gave you for food. Why didn't you buy anything?" I questioned concerned. Nat seemed quite confused at that but answered either way. 

"Oh that, ye, Lia got some popcorn for lunch that she didn't like, so she gave it to me and I still had water left over from yesterday. Why are you asking?" Nat seemed confused at my worry. 

"Oh I dunno, maybe cuz I fucking care for you and don't want you walking around starving!"

"Ok jeez chill. I'll go waste your money tomorrow, since we're so rich!" "Girls what's going on? Why are you's fighting?" I sighed while Nat looked at me as if she was asking me that too. 

I don't know. I don't understand why we were fighting. It was something I hated. Fighting with Nat, since she's one of the only people I've got left - same for her. 

"It's nothing. Sorry" 

I turned my head towards the window, looking as the raindrops chase eachother and join together. I didn't need turn around to know Nat was doing the same. She was doing it for fun. I was doing it to gather my thoughts or forget about the entire world and just focus on the tiny droplets. 

~Time skip~ 

"Girls? We're here." Helena turned around just to see Nat sleeping, head against the window, and me zoned out deep in my thoughts. 

"Y/n, you ok?" I got pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of my name. "Oh ye sorry, just zoned out" I turned around to Nat. "Omg, thank god she's light. Anyways thank you again sooo much for taking care if her, for the food and the drive. I don't even know how to thank you-" "Don't. Just know you can always ask us for help and we'll try to help yous as much as we can." She cut me off in a soft whisper and a warm smile. I smiled back and got out. 

I walked around the car, trying not to step in the puddles. I slowly opened the trunk to get Nat's bag and put on my back, before opening the door on Nat's side. I caught her head and ushed her not to wake up as I unbuckled her and pucked her up. She swung her arms around my neck and nuzzled her face into my neck. 

I looked up at Helena, to see she had watery eyes. I shot her a confused look. "It's just you look like Billy and Nell when they were younger" 

Helena walked up to us and gave both me and Nat a kiss on the forehead. "You sure you can carry her inside, I can do it if you want" "Thanks for the offer but it's fine. Plus they might lock you in. Happened once to Oscar's aunt. They were looking around the whole building for the headmaster for over and hour to unlock the doors so she can get out!" I quietly chuckled so my sleepy-head wouldn't wake up. 

"Anyways, goodnight Helena. Drive safe!" "Ye will do, Boss. And you be careful and goodnight to yous too." 

I walked up the old, semi-broken concrete steps up to the ancient front door. I turned around to see Helena opening the door from the driver's side before looking up at us. I tried waving her goodbye without dropping Nat, getting a blowed kiss in return. I smiled and walked inside. 

~Time skip~

"Huh? Where am I?" I heard Nat mutter. "We're back- uhm... you're in bed. You were sleeping so I carried you inside and changed you." She looked around and on herself before turning back at me "Oki thanks, but I- uhmm... well I had a nightmare last night. And the night before. So can I sleep in your bed tonight, pleaseeee?" "Yes of course! Come on in" I picked up my duvet, inviting her in. 

Nat snuggled into me, burrying her face in my chest. "Nat, can you tell me what the nightmares were about?" "Ye, they were basically the same as the always are: 'they' were yelling and walking up to me while I was curled up in a ball in the corner, crying" 

Nat always referred to her parents as 'they' or 'he' and 'she'. According to her they didn't deserve that title. I agree. 

"I was trying to stop them but they ignored me. As always. 'He' took off his belt and did the same as always and 'she' just slapped me in the face while laughing and sipping on beer. When 'he' finished he pulled his pants down and started peeing on me." Nat sighed, trying to forget about it. 

I knew the way 'they' treated her. Most of the other kids knew too. It wasn't hardto guess. Someone raised they hand or shouted or even mentioned 'peeing' and 'belt' and Nat flintched. Most kids did. Others didn't cuz they lived here they're entire life. I was different. No one was in the same situation as me or even close. But there was one thing we all had in common was that, in here, we were all ignored. 

The workers only cared when we did soemthing bad and that was just to take our weekly money off of us. 

I hugged Nat closer to me and she hung onto my waist as if I was the last thing keeping her alive. This broke me each time, just as her tales - even if it was always the same.