Farrington-Gores: Apologies

'Edward? I've brought Hazel to apologise.'

'I'm sorry.'

'...Th-that's okay. Well, I'd like to just put it behind us now...'

'Good. Can I go now?'

'I suppose so.'

'Bye, then.'

'Tony, you didn't need to do that.'

'Of course I did! I still feel like I'm letting her off too lightly, but-'

'Really, it's fine.'

'Are you okay?'

'To be honest, no. I'm not okay.'

'I'm sorry. That must have been awful.'

'I don't want to dwell on it.'

'I bet. The thing is, I'm really sorry, but I have to ask... did you really attack her dad?'

'Oh God...'

'...Wait, did you?'

'I...I can't lie...'

'Shit... I didn't expect that at all. I thought she was making it up.'

'No, I did do it.'

'Christ, Edward...'

'L-look, let me explain, okay? It's a long, long story. I didn't do it unprovoked. That man... he's evil.'

Elsewhere...

'Hi, Aria.'

'Hey.'

'Where's Stan..?'

'In the toilet, but it's been a while. I think he might have drowned.'

'Oh dear! It was curry night last night...'

'What is it with people getting shits from curry? It's never happened to me.'

'Me neither. I guess some people have delicate stomachs.'

'Stanley does anyway. We once went to the gym not long after having Mexican, and... yeah, it didn't go well. He let rip right next to this poor vampire woman. She's probably still choking.'

'Oh, that's terrible.'

'It is. How're you anyway?'

'Pretty good for once! What about you?'

'Eh.'

'Ah. That doesn't sound good. I heard about what you did to Tate...'

'I hope it left a bruise.'

'Mm... I hate violence, but I'm struggling to disagree. Poor Roxxi's pretty desolate right now.'

'I'm so sick of his shit. Just when I thought I was rid of him, he has to start fucking up people's lives again. What next? Another bastard baby? Persecution of aliens? Running for president?'

'Oh God, that last one...'

'Yeah, let's not even go there. Ugh.'

'Hey... don't let him bring you down.'

'I'm trying. I really am. But sometimes, I just think he's damaged me beyond repair. I'd been getting a better hold on my temper, but he's gone and wrecked that now.'

'I'm sorry, I don't know what to say.'

'It's okay. I know, lashing out is wrong. I just get so angry... It's as if I've been taken over by someone else. Damn it, I can't go back to being the way I used to be.'

'The way you used to be?'

'Nyla, I was horrible when I was younger. I screamed and shouted at people, mainly him, and sometimes I did resort to using my fists. Once I was away from him, I started to improve. I took up martial arts and tried to better myself. Because it's not fair for everyone else to have to tread on eggshells. Especially Edward, shouting really freaks him out. Fuck... I'm so shit.'

'Aww Aria, you're not. You're really nice. It's not your fault you've been exposed to so much.'

'Well, so have a lot of people, but they don't react the way I do.'

'Come here. Stop being so hard on yourself. Jeez, it's better than what I do. At least you don't let yourself be a victim.'

'Thanks. But don't you start talking shit about yourself either. You protected yourself and your kid when it mattered the most. That takes some damn balls.'

'I really appreciate that, thank you.'

'Not a problem. Anyway, I'll be okay. Like I said before, Tate won't get the better of me.'

'Edward, I don't know what to say. That's horrific. I had no idea... The mayor being so fucking evil, and Miles...'

'Well, now you know.'

'I'm so sorry.'

'Thank you. I must admit, telling you and going through it all again... it's not good for me.'

'I understand.'

'Do you?'

'Yes. The thing is... I have PTSD too. This is my first teaching job. Before that, I used to be a soldier. Some horrendous things happened out there. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but you can probably tell by looking at me, right? I was blown up. I lost a leg. And my best friend...'

'...Oh God, Tony, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to sound like I was dismissing you!'

'That's fine. I've been working quite hard on my recovery. But yes, I do know how trauma affects people. I know how little things can set you off, and how having to recall something so awful in detail can fuck up your mood for the rest of the day- no, the rest of the bloody week, sometimes. And shit, it doesn't just happen to soldiers. What you went through is way beyond the pale. It'd be a miracle if you weren't still affected.'

'So you really do understand...?'

'I do. As for Miles, I don't blame you in the slightest. He really had it coming. And despite your fear, you still managed to confront him...'