Here comes the sun - Larry

CHAPTER 2

I roll off Emily, breathing heavily as I look into my ceiling. Emily has told me the glow-in-the-dark stars are childish, but I don't think she understands why I haven't taken them down. My mom was the one who put them up, which is why they're still there.

I roll off the bed and onto the floor, throwing out the condom before I pull my boxers back on. I throw Emily her underwear before I sneak downstairs to get a bottle of water from the fridge. I drink half of it myself, then bring the bottle with me upstairs so Emily can have the rest.

"Thanks, babe."

I kiss her on the forehead. "Do you wanna stay the night?"

"Mmm."

I let her lean into me, but soon enough we're brushing our teeth, Emily with the toothbrush I bought her in case she doesn't have her own. I let her snuggle into me once we're in bed, that being despite how warm it already is. I would rather have space for myself, to not have her body pressed against mine, but I let her do as she pleases. It does result in me not getting enough sleep, but to be perfectly honest, I don't believe it's all Emily's fault. I haven't had a proper nights sleep in forever, but still, it doesn't help that she doesn't let go until it's time for us to get up.

I make her tie my tie before we go downstairs. Mom used to do it before she died, but I haven't bothered to learn. Lottie knows how to do it, too, but if she's not around, I will simply wait and have Liam do it instead. I'm not totally keen on wearing a school-uniform, but it is what is it. Emily makes it work, though, with knee-high socks and a skirt that's a little shorter than it's supposed to be.

Lottie and Felicite have already left for the bus, but I need to drop off the twins because they don't like taking the bus. They only take it home if it's necessary, if there's no one around to pick them up. I don't mind the detour, not exactly, but I like it better when my dad can take them instead. I like to stop by the cemetery on those days, knowing I can make it to school before first period. I can't when I have to drop off my siblings, especially not the twins because the middle school is all the way across town. It made sense at the time to choose that particular school, mainly because Mum could drop them off on the way to work, but for obvious reasons, that's not an option anymore.

"Isn't that Harry?"

I look towards the sidewalk. "I think so."

"Isn't it a little weird he doesn't drive with his dad?"

"He'd probably rather walk."

"But school is all the way across town."

"Does it matter?"

It's really none of our business what Harry prefers to do in the morning. I understand what she's saying, that school is far away in walking distance, but it's Harry's choice whether or not he wants to walk. He probably has a perfectly reasonable explanation for not wanting to spend time with his dad.

"I'm just saying," Emily says. "But I doubt anyone really understands people like him."

"People like him?"

"Loners."

I don't say anything to that. Harry is a loner, that's for sure, but there's no need to be rude about it. He might be struggling without anyone to talk to, so even if we don't understand him, we should still be kind, even if he's not around to hear what we're saying.

***

I'm called to the Principal's office during third period. I don't think too much about it, given that I haven't broken any rules. I haven't done anything wrong during the four years I've been here, mostly because I can't afford to get in trouble. Dad is paying a lot of money for me to be here, so I'm always on my best behaviour. And yet I still take a deep breath before I enter. Harry is sitting in the windowsill, loosening his tie as though he can't stand wearing it. I have no idea why he's here, but I just brush it off and sit down.