Easter Break 2.

A couple of hours later, the place was looking considerably better. All the windows were open and the chilly but fresh April air seeped in and gradually replaced the linger of smoke. Most of the glass was all vacuumed up too and she had filled up two paper bags with empty bottles.

Currently she was standing by the stove, making carrot pancakes, feeling rather responsible and grown-up. Every other minute, in between the flipping, she would walk over to the bathroom and listen for a small splash or any sound indicating that the person inside was awake and moving and not drowning. Just as the last pancake was all flipped and ready, Thomas entered the kitchen with an embarrassed and apologetic countenance. 

"So I wasn't imagining things", he murmured first, then quickly added louder, "I'm so so sorry for all this and... thank you. So much."

"My pleasure!", Liv interrupted and gave him a broad grin, "I made pancakes."

"Looks great. I'm not too hungry though."

In disbelief she stared at him.

"It's the... nausea you know. I''ll have some later when you've left."

Sighing, she walked a bit closer to him.

"I'm not leaving Thomas", she said slowly.

The fact that she had not used his nickname caused him to do a double take.

"I- Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful. It's just... You really ought to get back home. I'll send you over some money for the trouble."

"I don't want your money", she snapped, "And I'm not leaving."

"Liv!", he exclaimed, frustrated, "Sorry - But I really, really can't have you here right now. The smoke and stuff will mess you up."

"Cut the crap. I know about your father and I know what you're doing and I'm sure as hell not leaving."

Standing real close now they both glared at one another.

"Jesus, you think I'm blind or something? The state of you when I got here, the fact that you look as if your BMI is about half of what it should be."

Thomas's eyes widened and color rose up on his cheeks.

"Oh yeah, I know you don't eat. You know you... shit, you're really scaring me Thomas."

Her voice turned slightly brittle, which made his expression soften a bit. There it was again, the full name, used against him like a weapon. He wondered if she was aware of the effect it had on him, on his heart.

"I'm dealing... I'm just dealing with this in the way I need to, for a bit", he said.

"Yeah and how's that working out for you, huh? What you're doing here is literally suicide and nothing else."

Neither of them said anything for a while. Suddenly Thomas noticed that Liv was still wet from the bath, leaving small drops on the floor.

"God, you must be freezing. You can go upstairs and change."

"Will you have a pancake while I do?"

"I would. It's just... the cigarettes fuck with my appetite."

"You can manage one, Tommy."

Dressed in one of his hoodies and a pair of jeans, that were much too long for her, she returned, twirling proudly. The blonde hair fell in half dried soft curls and her feet were bare on the green checkered floor.

"Nice", he got out, stunned momentarily by the wave of awe and affection rolling over him at the sight of her in his clothes. Then, in an attempt to be casual about it he added, "We'll put your wet clothes in a plastic bag and then I'll walk you home."

"I've already texted mom that I'm staying with Wilma over the weekend", she replied just as casually.

"Don't be stupid. You know I can just tell your mom you're lying to her."

All the lightness was gone from his voice and he got a more or less grim expression on his face.

Liv tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at him.

"If you do that then you'll be the stupid one. You know she'll take one look at you and then force feed you herself. Plus I'll call Arvid and tell him what you're doing. It's either that or I stay here with you until you get better. You choose."

Backed into a corner, he decided to try another method. Everything was still a bit slow and he was not quiet sober yet but he carved out the bitter words without much effort.

"Listen. You're 15 or something. You don't even know me or anything about the relationship I had with my father. There's nothing you can do for me and I really, really, don't want you here. Just please. get. out."

The words echoed hard and false between the walls, cut through the pancake fumes. Liv did look immensely hurt for a second but then she just shook her head and looked him dead in the eyes. When she replied she imitated his demarcated way of speaking.

"I know what you're doing. It's not going to work this time. I'm staying. And I know you did not eat that pancake, you just threw it in the trash."

Eyes narrowing, he swore, got up and walked out of the kitchen.

"And you know damn well I've turned sixteen you idiot!"