the heartless [e.c]

15 | visiting day

MY HEAD WAS pounding. The sunlight was shining directly in my eyes , causing me to squirm beneath my sheets. I stretch my arms and legs , freezing immediately. My eyes snap open and I sit up in a room I did not recognize , a bed I did not recognize.

I lift the sheet up to see that I am fully clothed , except for my pants that must've been kicked off during the night. I let out a breath of relief , burying my face in my hands.

I couldn't remember much from last night. Only getting on the train to play a game of dare , a game I didn't even participate in. After realizing there was no point of trying to remember , I dress myself and decide to make my escape from.

But first the bathroom.

I take a guess in which door was the bathroom , making the correct one , and stop at he sight of myself in the mirror.

My eyes were red from the lack of sleep and I had a bit of makeup smudged on my eyes and lips. I looked like an absolute mess. There was a moment when tears formed in my eyes , but I composed myself before they could fall. I couldn't let myself cry , not right now.

After finishing my business , I tiptoed through the room. Gathering my shoes and jacket as I did and made my way to the door. My hand was on the handle when I heard the should of pots clanging from the kitchen.

I take my hand away , and for some reason decide to see who's room I was in. Maybe because a part of me knew who it was.

And I was right. Eric stood shirtless in the kitchen , he was mixing something on the stove. Holy shit , he's shirtless.

I look away for a second , then decide to make myself known. "Good morning," I say quietly.

Eric doesn't look at me. "Good morning sunshine ," he says. "Care for some breakfast ?"

"Sure ," I say while sitting down at the bar table. It's quiet for a moment. Then I speak again , "What happened last night ?"

"Last night ," he says , as if he was trying to remember. "We played dare , you got drunk , you called me a asshole ... no , no , a selfish fucking asshole. That's what it was."

He sits a plate with eggs and toast in front of me. Not knowing what to say , I only mumble a 'thank you.'

"I took you here after you began to dance on the tables at the bar ," he continues. "Didn't think you spending the night in the dorms would be a good idea. Especially with Ashley there."

"Eric ," I say. "I'm sorry - I didn't , I don't remember saying any of that."

"It's visiting day today ," he says. "Eat up and make your way to the Pit. Your family should be here soon."

He walks out of the kitchen and into his bedroom. I call his name a couple times , but just leave when I realized he wasn't coming back.

•

The Pit was already crowded with families by the time I made it there. I wasn't sure where to look to find mine , so I searched for Harmony instead , spotting her family's bright colored clothing almost instantly.

"Harmony !" I yell out. She looked happy to see me , but I could tell she was disguising the hangover from last night. "Stevie ! Just the person I was looking for , these are my parents."

I smile awkwardly as the women pulls me into a hug. "It's so nice to meet you ," she says. "Our daughter has said so many wonderful things about you."

The man just nods at her words. "It's nice to meet you too ," I say as politely as possible. "And I would love to chat but I was wondering if you had seen my sister , Harmony ?"

Her face instantly dropped. "I think they're over by the Chasm , but Stevie you're more than welcomed to stay with us."

"It's fine ," I say as I begin to walk away. "I'll see you later , it was nice meeting you guys !"

All the anxiety about seeing my parents disappear as I see them standing next to the rushing water. I had never truly realized how much I missed them. Ashley was already there beside them , a smirk appears on her face as she sees me walking up.

"Mom , dad , I've missed you so - " My sentence is cut short by a stinging sensation on my face.

My mother's eyes are full of anger. "How dare you come over to us after causing so much disappointment."

I reach up to hold my face , "I don't understand."

"Sleeping with your instructor to ensure you top position ," she yells causing people to stop and listen to us. "Did you think we wouldn't find out ? That your sister wouldn't tell us ?"

"She's lying ," I say. "Dad , please tell me you don't believe this ?"

"Ashley says you were with him last night. That's why you were late today ," he replies. "Is thah true ?"

"I - no , no I wasn't with him."

"She stuttered ," Ashley joins the conversation. "She always stutters when she's lying."

"You little - "

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Stevie Carrier." My mother scolds me. "Now you tell us the truth this instance."

"Fine ," I say. "But it wasn't like that , he was just helping me. I was drunk !"

The last few words slip out and I mentally curse myself for letting them. "This behavior is unacceptable. I knew we wouldn't be able to trust you ," she says.

"Yes you can , you can trust me ," the tears are coming back again.

"No , I can't. No daughter of mine would act this way.

"Mom please ," the first tear spills over.

She turns her back on me , "And you are no longer a Daughter of mine."

•

WORD COUNT : 975

A/N : :'(