Neji came back. When Neji saw the empty plate, Hani closed her eyes and waited for Neji to hit.
Neji didn’t hit. Neji made a weird face and left the room. The weird face made Hani warm, for some reason. Like there was something warm inside Hani. Under the hurt.
Neji came back. Neji put lots more of the sweet stuff in front of Hani. Hani reached out for them, and Neji raised his hand. Hani closed eyes.
“No, no, Hani’s sorry!” Hani cried. Waited for Neji to hit. But Neji didn’t. When Hani opened eyes, Neji was making the weird face again and holding up some of the sweet stuff. Neji is eating sweet stuff, too.
“So you can talk.” Neji says. Hard to hear Neji through the sweet stuff. “I was wondering if you could. I mean, with all you’ve been through, it must’ve been tough.” Neji reached out for Hani’s head.
“No!” Shout, keep Neji away. Don’t let Neji touch. Don’t let Neji hurt.
Neji pulls hand away. “Sorry.” Neji tells Hani. “You tell me when you’re ready, all right?”
Pull away. Cold. Wrap arms around knees. Hurts. Bandages hard to move in.
Neji looks away. “You look like you’re not even six.” Neji says softly. “Funny. How could someone abuse a little girl like you? No wonder you’re scared.”
Don’t understand what Neji is saying. Reach out for the sweet stuff. Grab and eat.
Hani’s warm now.
