Angry voices. Furious words.

Ivy remembered that night clearly. Her mum had been yelling at her dad, both unaware that a 14 year old Ivy was under the stairs, frozen.

The door had slammed shut. When Ivy has checked her parent's room, all her Mum's belongings were gone. Her Dad was sitting on the sofa, his face pale.

Four years ago.

Finally, she shut the door and stepped outside. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. School. A distraction from home would be nice.

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"Emma?" Ivy asked, her voice soft. She knew Emma had a lot of friends, but right now she needed someone who understood, without her having to explain.

With a quick goodbye to the girl she was talking to, Emma turned to Ivy, concern written on her features. "Ivy? What- Oh. Is it today?"

"Yeah." Ivy let out a sigh, massaging her forehead.

"Ivy... I'm so sorry." Ivy nodded. In the past, Emma had been the only person Ivy could tell. Nothing could really help, but Emma always tried.

"You know what? Sleepover, tomorrow night." Emma's eyes glazed over, as she planned it out.

"Hey." James's voice greeted them, but Ivy didn't respond with Emma. As the two talked, Ivy tried to join in but felt her heavy thoughts dragging her away.

As the day continued, Ivy found reasons to ignore James's questioning looks, answering him with a few words, if at all. This continued, though he just became even more persistent.

"Ivy." Despite James's tone, Ivy slipped through the halls, evading him. Focused on getting to her class, she didn't notice anything else, until a hand grabbed her wrist.

Her panicked green eyes turned to find two annoyed blue ones. Letting go of her wrist, James crossed his arms.

"What's going on, Ivy? What happened?" James's concern battled with his frustration, as he tried to decipher Ivy's thoughts.

Keeping her face perfectly blank, Ivy shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing's going on."

"That's not true." James's simple words annoyed Ivy more than she thought they would. "What is it, really?"

"That's all." She snapped angrily.

"Just... just leave me alone."
Her voice wavered at the last sentence, but her feet carried her away before she could take the words back.

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A sharp whistle pierced the air, snatching the class's attention.

"We will be playing a proper game of basketball today. Remember our previous lessons where you learned the rules." The coach finished and swiftly split the class up.

Ivy looked to the other side of the room, where Emma and James were talking with their team.

"Just get the ball to me." She told her huddled team, ignoring the wave of annoyance that was thrown back at her.

The game started, and in moments Ivy had intercepted the ball and was quickly dribbling down the court. Once she had outrun the other team, she made a beeline for the goal.

Suddenly a hand reached out for the ball. James had kept pace with her, and was attacking relentlessly. The two of them locked gazes.

Ivy moved on instinct, the sport familiar. As she made quick moves to throw James off, a voice in her head gave her instructions. Her mother.

Ivy stopped. Her eyes were wide and filled with pain. Her mother had loved basketball. Endless afternoons were spent practicing the sport.

James stole the ball, and Ivy ran to get it back, hating her weakness.

They couldn't beat each other, and after a while, the coach ended the game.

Before Ivy could leave, the coach quietly spoke to her. "You and Mr. Doyle could become amazing athletes. I suggest you train further with him." To this, Ivy could only give a stiff nod, remembering her last words to James.

Even after the delay, she was finished changing before most had started. The day passed, and Ivy felt heavier and heavier.

She ended up in a group with Emma and James in Science. Working until the class ended, she remained silent.

The lesson finished with an agreement to meet at Emma's house that afternoon.

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A steady clock ticked every second. Falling into its rhythm, Ivy kept staring at the picture.

It framed a man with sandy hair and green eyes. In his arms was a woman, her dark brown hair falling down her back, and warm brown eyes sparkling.

Finally, in their arms, was a little girl. She had her father's green eyes and her mother's dark hair. In the picture, she was glaring at the camera, her arms crossed with impatience.

Ivy remembered that day. She had wanted to go to Emma's house and was fed up with the wait.

Her phone buzzed, snatching Ivy from her thoughts.

Emma: Sorry, I can't come tonight. Have some stupid dinner with Dad's friends.

Ivy: Come to what?

Emma: Ivy! The Science project that we were going to work on at my house. It's been moved to James's house.

As Emma texted her the address, Ivy grabbed a jacket and left the house.

James house wasn't far, but when Ivy saw it she was surprised. It was big, to say in the least.

There was a miniature waterfall in the front, leading to a large two-story house, with a balcony at the top. Through the back, Ivy could see a path, leading to a large park, though it may have been their backyard.

Swallowing her doubts, Ivy knocked on the door. She heard James yell something, and soon the door opened.

"Ivy. You came." Ivy watched his face carefully, but there was no emotion she could see. "Come in."

"We can use the entry lounge," James told her before they walked further into the house.

Nodding Ivy sat down, trying not to read too much into it. James returned with some workbooks and a laptop.

An hour and a half later, they had gotten through most of the project. Through all of it, they had remained silent, only talking when necessary.

"We can finish up now," James spoke suddenly when Ivy had tried to hide a yawn.

"James," Ivy began, uncertainty in her eyes.

"Yes?" James asked when Ivy found she couldn't talk.

"Today, I..." Ivy blinked. "It's because-" Again she stopped.

"Ivy, what happened?" James asked, in a kind voice Ivy had missed.

"My parents." Ivy sighed. She didn't look at him. "Four years ago, from today, my mum left. I haven't seen her since. Today just brought up those memories."

"I'm sorry," James said.

Ivy nodded. "Not much you can do, though."

"No. I mean," He took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for pressuring you into telling me, and ignoring you when you were sad." James looked so regretful, Ivy smiled.

"To be fair, I told you to leave me alone." Ivy reminded.

"I know. But I messed up today." James sighed.

"Is there anything... I mean, is today-" Ivy cut James off.

"Yes." Her words were clipped. "She left a week before my birthday." James inhaled a sharp breath. They were quiet.

"I know you have Emma, but you can always talk to me." Ivy features softened.

"Thanks, James. Guess I'll see you tomorrow." They were standing up now, and Ivy shot him a quick uncertain smile.

"Bye."

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