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Chapter16
We are finally back at the Addison. Harley was lying on my bed next to me while the others went to get us all the food. I couldn't handle being in the noisy dining room tonight. I was exhausted emotionally and physically. It had been a long day and I had had at least three panic attacks. We had found out at the end of mediation that Mr Black was arrested as Harry informed the police he was part of the plan to murder my mother and he was supposed to get rid of me. He had been the one to pay my legal aid lawyer at the beginning to lose the case. To say my family was furious was an understatement. The whole thing was a plot to send my father spiralling into bankruptcy. Instead, I was the one who suffered, I guess my family did too but ultimately I was the one who came out with the most damage.
At the end of lunch, Bryson asked to give me a hug which I agreed to and promptly broke down crying because it was the first time in years since someone who was family, has shown me affection and love. He panicked and so did my family but I reassured Bryson that I was ok and that I just hadn't felt love from my family in over 4 years and I was overwhelmed. Once we broke the hug he went over to let my family know why I was crying. Aunty Amelia had to be comforted by her husband and Sian was stopped from approaching me by Bryson. Sian was the same age as Lucas and looked like her dad or the female version of Bryson.
An agreement had been made that I was allowed to remain out of my father's home and we would be seeing a counsellor weekly as a family to deal with everything that had happened and for me to tell my family what I had been put through. My family were able to call me on Wednesday night between 7 pm and 8 pm and also on Sunday between 7 pm and 8 pm. They would cover the costs of uni so I would not take a HECS debt but I would still be financially independent. They would provide a credit card for me which I could use in case of emergencies but I knew I never would. They would also be paying for health insurance for me. Spending the holidays with my family would be my choice and discussed during one of the counselling sessions. My dad was still my legal guardian but he would not make decisions for me without my consent. The protection order was removed but my family took an undertaking saying they would not harass, stalk or approach me at all. They promised to keep their distance and respect my boundaries. If they broke this I could seek an emergency protection order from the court within 24 hours.
Harley and I were lying in silence but it was comfortable. He hadn't let go of my hand and it seemed to be grounding me to the here and now. "Thank you," I said. "For what Tilly?" Harley asked. "For being here with me, for grounding me to the here and now". "Till" he began before he was interrupted by a knock on the door. Harley got up and opened the door allowing the rest of our friends into my room. Instead of food from the dining room, they walked in with bags full of McDonalds. "Up you get Tilly time for Maccas, a movie and then ice cream," Tommy said. I sat up in the bed and saw all of them carrying huge bags of Maccas and Tommy waving a plastic bag which I assume contained ice cream. I laughed and said "You sure you got enough food there?" "Yep now get your pretty butt up and put the ice cream away before it turns to cream so we can eat the maccas while it's hot" Brad said. I laughed and shook my head before getting out of bed and taking the bag of ice cream to shove it in the little freezer in the bar fridge in my room.
They all sat down and spread the food on the table and bed. I headed over to sit down but there was no room for me. Harley patted his lap to indicate for me to sit with him. I raised my eyebrow and he just smiled "Come on Till we want to start the movie" Harley said. I sat in between Harley's legs with my back resting on his chest. "So you guys a thing now?" Levi asked. I turned my head back to look at Harley and then shrugged my shoulders. Harley smiled and shrugged his shoulders too before offering me his nuggets. "Oh you are a thing, Harley never shares his nuggets" Brad laughed. "Talk later Till" Harley whispered into my ear before kissing me on the temple and I just nodded and took a nugget from the box. Tommy turned the movie on and we all sat watching the movie and eating the maccas and ice cream.
By the time the movie ended, it was 9.45 pm and it was time to start preparing for curfew. My friends headed off to their rooms but Harley remained there. He closed the door after saying good night to all our mates. "Till, I like you" Harley said and put his hands on my waist. "I like you too Harls" I replied while looking into his eyes. "Harls?" He said and I just nodded. Harley laughed and then asked, "Till will you go on a date with me? Just you and me, the goofballs can stay here". I looked down trying to hide my face from him but he got the wrong idea because he dropped his hands off my waist putting them in his pockets and said "It's cool if you don't want to, forget I asked it was stupid". I snapped my head up looking him in the eyes "Harley, I didn't say no, I. I um just have never been on a date, actually I have never been asked on a date. I spent my teen years in juvie" I said. Harley stepped closer to me and said "Till are you saying yes to a date?" I nodded and smiled. "I will pick you up Friday at 6, be ready Till" he said before pecking me on the cheek and walking out of my room.