It was 01:52am and I couldn't sleep. Thoughts of the last month played in my head on repeat.

My fling with Leo, who didn't remember me.

Alex slapping me.

Getting worked up over nothing.

Alex putting Leo in hospital.

It's been about 4 or 5 weeks since that happened, and I'm still on edge. Leo's been given the go-ahead to continue training, but he's only at sessions with me on a Tuesday and a Friday now. It's frustrating because he's my best friend, and I feel like it could go either way now. I didn't want to trouble Alex by talking to him about this, and I couldn't speak to anyone else, because I didn't have anyone else.

Me: U up?
Leo: yeah
Leo: wbu
Leo: no wait that was stupid don't answer that
Me: haha
Me: wanna go swimming
Leo: yeah

###

Neither one of us talked on the ride to pool. I was surprised that the pool was actually open at 3:16am, but I guess that I should've know, seeing that there's a sign in it saying

OPEN 24/7

Me: Leo? Why were you up at 1 in the morning?
Leo: It's been, well, difficult for a while, but I guess I just lost track of time. C'mon. Let's go swim before the manager asks why we're here this time.

That was the end of the conversation. We went into our separate changing rooms, and we didn't speak for the few hours that we were swimming.

###

Leo: Thanks
Me: What for?
Leo: For being chill after everything, and staying cool around Alex even though he's... umm... and thanks for being crazy and spontaneous with me, I guess.
Me: Oh. Cool.

###

Leo dropped me off at home at around 5:30 am. Alex was about to leave for work, so I knew I was screwed. I quietly opened the door, and crept into the kitchen. I poured a bowl of cereal and began eating it.

Al: Where the fuck were you
Me: Hmph?
Al: I woke up to an empty bed and I couldn't find you in the bathroom or on the sofa. I was beginning to panic, but then I heard you eating cereal. Next time you're gonna go do something dumb, tell me so I don't shit myself!
Me: Oh... Sorry, babe.

I carried on eating my cereal, and it seemed like everything was going to be okay. That was, until, Alex was leaving.

He beckoned me over, and I went to where he was standing. He was taller than me, and towered over my presence. He pulled out a pair of scissors from his pocket.

Me: B... Babe? What are you—

He put one o his fingers on my lips, and silenced me. He took the scissors and opened the blades. He trapped some of my hair betweens the sharp pieces of metal, and began cutting.

I cried.

I have no shame in that, either. I cried and screamed and yelled and shouted until no more emotions would flow anymore. I was ruined. I'd been growing my hair for 6 years now, and it meant so much to me.

###

"Mummy?"

"Yes, sweetheart? Are you okay?"

"Yes, mummy. I was just wondering if you could brush my hair for me. I have a really big tangle in it."

"Sure, Cath. I love your hair. Promise me that when you're old enough to decide how you want your hair, you'll grow it long some day."

"Okay, mummy."

"Thank you, darling."

"Thank you for brushing my hair mummy."

"No problem, Cath. Now, run along and play with Leo. You can both go swimming after that!"

"Okay, mummy!"

###

It was a part of my life for years, and now it's gone. I felt violated, and ruined. He'd never gone this far before, but, as he always said, it was good for me, and what I needed.

However, I had the slight feeling that he was wrong...