Where We Began

Hayden North

The tape was clear evidence that he did die a victim. Like I don't want to believe he did. "I don't have much time. He is after me. I just know it. They stole from my daughter. Nearly, ten thousand because of me," my grandfather had rasped on the tape. Heartbreaking. That much money was lost from is because of their deadly friendship.

They stole money from us that could have helped us. My grandfather thought he had a good friendship with this man. A man that stabbed him in the back with no heart. The words, playing over and over in my head. Liam broke me to pieces.

There was no way I could wish that it didn't happen. Our reputation crumbled to their feet. My hand It's an embarrassing and tragic event. Nobody knew how it was to be on the receiving end of the harsh remarks and rumors. More than you think it sucks.

I've listened to the tape ten times, memorizing every panicked breath he took and spew of words. He was frightened that his friend of all people was coming after him because of money. An evil entity that is the currency t everything that we want in this world. It gives and takes in seconds without you knowing. Some would sell their soul for it. A sad life. Liam's family stuck with it to the end.

They will never stop because all their life has been about money. We had no part in this but, because of their choices, it impacted us. Liam swore with everything he had that he was nothing like his brother and father that he is on my side with everything that I found out. The uncertainty is still there. That is part of the reason why I was fighting his reassurance. Hoping things could be different. I didn't have this to deal with or be the way that I am.

Though, it's so hard to look on the bright side of things. My parents are playing it safe. The pick and choose when it is time to tell me what happened in our family. I should know from day one. What's the big deal about it? We aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other.

At least, not that any family does. We stick together and never look back. My mother thought that's what would be best. She has a strong mindset and, she gets it from my grandfather. The whereabouts of his wife are unknown. Every day I go to school again to sit and hear lectures about doing the right thing and the right way to do things in life. My hand is next to almost healed.

The wrapping of it constantly helped me a lot. The ridges of my knuckles are back to a healthy color. I can't stop thinking about how much I was scared of myself. Nobody around me follows the rules or work to do it the right way. They cheat in life.

I'll be graduating in the coming weeks. I would hate to see my principal's face of disgust every time he turns the hallway to see me talking with Liam. I know he would go as much as to make up an accusation to get me in trouble. Life is rough. Work is dull to me.

It's just continuous hours of labor for fifty or forty dollars a week. Money doesn't excite me anymore. Neither does the world. I can put on a strong smile whenever people ask me how I'm doing like, Chelsey. She doesn't worry about the world surrounded by all her friends. I'm stuck feeling like nothing matters anymore.

Therapy is an oncoming cycle of the same answers. One day, my dad pulled me aside before my mother got home. He wanted to ask me why they never received the prescription for my medication. I want to lie to his face. Frankly, I don't want to take them.

They're good for me but make my self-esteem feel like shit. Other people walk around without having to take medication to stop them from randomly yelling or hitting something. The ends of my hair can reach the start of my back. I still wear a beanie to cover that part of that's feels regret. Liam and I are what you call a weird relationship.

One minute, we could feel like we're closer becoming a thing, and then the next, I am making the smallest thing the biggest argument. It's an uphill battle that Liam always finds a way to calm. No matter what, it didn't get in our plan. To help my grandfather's past be justified. I've started using my phone more often to call and message Liam about releasing the tape online. Some parts of the recording hurt me to hear.

The parts I would be sure to cut when I upload it. My parents haven't found the tape. I hid it in my closet under the leather jacket. For laundry, they never go in there anyway. Other than that, life is too quiet for me. I'm expecting things to go wrong any minute or second when I'm occupied with something else. Today, I was chatting with Liam. He brought his mother. It's a topic I am careful about bringing up.

"I want to see her. Maybe next week. By then, the tape would already be out," Liam said to me. I chewed on my fry from Wendy's. Lunch just started and, we both wanted to get out and eat actual food.

"She'll be glad to see you. I know you are fond of her," I play around with the napkin between my fingers. Liam moved in his seat.

"You can say that. If she does remember at all." I went on top of his.

"Don't say that," I held his hand. She would remember. That is her son. Liam isn't closer to anyone else but her. He told me he feels like the world is moving farther apart from him. His brother and father are digging themselves a grave. Not everyone else can tolerate manipulative lies.

"Can I?" I ask hesitantly moving, my hand from his to the necklace dangling from his tank top. Liam nodded slowly. I place my hand behind it to see the beautiful shimmer of it. The light from outside creates a glow. She did like her jewelry. I can tell. How could someone make fun of something so dear to someone else? because they don't understand.

"As long as you still believe in her, she will believe in you too. In your heart, she will always be there," I let go of it. Liam's eyes looked deeply into mine. He was so engrossed with what I said. The lovely spark to him grew bigger. Liam took off his hat to shake his hair. Then he placed it back on top. The dye is almost gone. The reason why he is wearing that hat.

My legs feel the cool air that came from the air conditioning. The humidity is sparking high. Almost the end of May. I lighten the mood by dipping some of my fries in the frosty to smear some on his nose. He does something I least expect. Liam's hand grabs my chin to pull us from nose to nose. The mess on his face got on mine. I grumble playfully to myself.

The way he looked down at my lips made me sweat more than I was. The little moments happen again. My face lights up to feel his lips on mine. We kiss with no intention of rushing. People are still around. I push him away coyly. Liam leans contented.

We ate and talked some more. Lunch finished as I head back to school. The ends just as fast. I got home to retrieve the tape. It was recorded on my computer and posted to a public social media account. Within minutes, it got views.

Not many yet but enough so far. My father is asleep. I know the first person they would point a finger at is me. This is serious because it was a murder hidden away. The caption to the post explains just that and the area it happened. I call Liam to tell him that I posted it earlier than expected.

"That's good. In no time, we should see results," he said.

"Yup, how's the reality of graduation coming for you?" I ask. Liam sighed,

"Just another day." That's a mood. After High school, it's college. The learning never stops.

"I'll talk later with you. I hear my brother coming," he grumbled.

"Okay, bye." I hang up the phone. Someone opens my bedroom door. My mother. The tape wasn't in my closet. Rather still on my desk. That's the first thing her eyes locked on before me.

"You have explained what to do, young lady," she yelled. No, she doesn't deserve an explanation. All they did is lie. Her hand wrapped to grab the tape and examine it.

"Where did you find this?" she asked me once.

"Why did you lie about your dad and how he died?" I send a firing question her way. Her eyes lowered to a dangerous look. She didn't want to answer. Doing that would be like disrespect for the reason she put it in her past.

"It was to protect you from knowing. This is old history that does not concern you," the door opened ajar for my father to poke his head in.

"What's the matter in here?" he got in between our argument. My mother had turned into a beast now.

"Hayden North, where did you get it?" she asked another time. The last time she did, My father had no clue what was happening until he as well saw the tape recorder.

"Stop hiding shit from me. I'm sick of it. He didn't die from unknown causes. Liam's grandfather killed him for money!" She backhanded me across my face. My father was pulling her back by the arm. My cheek stung. The pain remained.