Breaking through silence

A fragile conversation

Katie stood in the doorway, her sharp blue eyes scanning Izzy like she was trying to piece her back together. Izzy looked away, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

"You look like shit," Katie finally said, her voice softer than Izzy expected.

Izzy huffed out a humorless laugh. "Cheers."

Katie took a hesitant step forward, then another, before sitting on the edge of the desk chair. "The girls said you had another seizure last night."

Izzy tensed. "Yeah. It happens."

Katie's jaw clenched. "It shouldn't have to."

Izzy felt irritation prickle under her skin. "What do you want me to do about it, Katie? It's not exactly something I can switch off."

"I just—" Katie blew out a frustrated breath, rubbing her hands over her face. "I hate that you're going through this on your own, they had calmed down in Dublin"

Izzy scoffed. "I'm not on my own, and that was ages ago"

Katie gave her a look, and Izzy immediately regretted her choice of words.

"You barely let anyone in," Katie said, voice measured. "Even the girls you live with."

Izzy shifted uncomfortably. She wanted to argue, to tell Katie she was wrong, but the words wouldn't come.

Katie exhaled, the fight leaving her posture. "I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm not going anywhere. You can keep pushing me away, but I'll still be here."

Izzy swallowed past the lump in her throat, suddenly feeling more exhausted than ever. "I just don't know how to do this," she admitted quietly.

Katie's face softened. "Then let me help."

For the first time in years, Izzy didn't immediately shut down at the offer. She didn't accept it fully either, but she let herself sit in the space between.

It was a start.