Rip My Heart Out

Chapter Twelve

When I walk in the door my parents are sitting at the kitchen table and my uncles is in the living room.

"Oh, honey." My mother says sympathetically.

She stands up and hugs me and I just stand there, not exactly sure what to say.

"Son. Sit down." My fathers uses his stern voice. I can feel myself start to shake. My uncle has yet to speak a word to me, I haven't even seen his face really.

"We know what your outburst was about this morning." My mother starts.

How will I tell Harry that his big brother is being sent away for feelings he doesn't even want?

"I'm sorry that you felt like that but son, yelling at your uncle because you think his actions are wrong is not your place." My dad leans back in his chair.

Wait. "What?" I mumble.

"He told us, you were mad this morning because you feel as if he hasn't been the best uncle but really as the child you aren't allowed to make that conclusion."

My heart slows down to a normal pace and I exhale largely.

"I'm sorry." I say, relieved. I know I should tell the truth but I feel that the truth may only cause more problems.

My mother rests her hand on mine and says "it's okay, honey. You are grounded, though. Only for a week. We really want you to think about your behavior."

I nod. "I promise, mother. I will reflect on what I did. I promise to be better in the future."

I walk past my uncle with out looking at him and march straight up the stairs into my room.

I fall on to my bed, thanking God I didn't get in trouble for the real cause of my argument this morning, though part of me feels like God had nothing to do with it.

•

I'm sitting on the couch with Harry, listening to him read Psalms, when I hear a knock on the door.

I tell him to keep reading.

When I open the door I see Calum. I'm surprised and I think he can tell. "I'm not going to beat you up again." He laughs.

"I just wasn't expecting you." I say.

He raises an eyebrow, "Who'd you think I'd be?"

I shake my head, "No one." I step out of my house and close the door rather than inviting him inside. It wouldn't be so nice to have my mother walk in and see Calum Hood standing in our living room.

"I need you." He says.

My eyebrows furrow, "You need me?"

He laughs a little, realizing how his statement sounded. "I need you to go on a date with me tonight. Well, not with me. Me and Claire. Claire and I. She won't go unless I bring someone along and you're the only person I know won't try anything with her."

I bite my lip, I still have one more day left in my punishment but mother might let me go if I tell her I'll be out with Claire.

I think back to the night on her birthday. The words she said to me. I doubt she'll like Calum much more if he shows up with my by his side.

"Please, I'll buy you dinner." Calum offers extended both hands towards me.

"I'll have to ask." I tell Calum. "Wait here."

I turn back into the house and run up the steps to my mother, who's folding laundry in her and my fathers room.

"Oh, hello, sweetheart." She smiles.

I watch her graceful hands. She reminds me of the Angels we learn about when we're younger. Her soft beauty and slow movements.

"Do you need something?" She questions.

I put both my hands behind my back, "Claire is going out tonight and invited me but I told her I was grounded and-"

My mother sets a shirt down, "Honey, don't worry about it. Go ahead and go out with her, I'm just so glad she's hanging around good characters now."

The good character Calum tells me to meet them at the arcade when the sun goes down.