The Harper Brothers (Wattpad Version)

College life here we come

Leokadia

The summer flew, and before I knew it, I was packing for college. I was sharing a house with six guys this fall. Tori and Elias figured it was more economical instead of paying for a dorm room. I'm not sure unleashing the brothers at college is a good thing.

Elias and Tori also put Val in charge. There might be hope for us yet.

"Christ, Romeo! Why do you need all those bags?" Elias asked.

Then again, maybe not. God, save us.

*******
Patrick

I carried two bags and my laptop past Dad and Romeo while Dad yelled at Romeo. Val and Rafe were arguing about the school trip. Then someone whistled. We saw Ma standing at the top of the steps.

"If we don't load the cars, we'll never leave. Romeo, downsize your bags. Rafe quit your bitching. Val, you're in charge of your brothers, making sure they do nothing stupid." Ma looked at me. "Pat, don't turn off your hearing aids." She smiled at me.

Val strolled towards Ma. "What about accommodations?"

"Your grandpa Matt is going with us while Marty stays with your nana. Your grandpa and dad will accommodate the rental house for Pat."

Val nodded. My folks contacted the school to request accommodations for me. Grandpa and Dad were fitting the house for my deafness, in case my hearing aids failed.

I carried my bags out to the car and loaded them into the back. Rafe, Val, and Leokadia followed suit. Romeo finally came out with two bags. We laughed as he grumbled.

"Dad doesn't realize how important it is to maintain this beauty," Romeo said, moving his hands up and down in front of him.

"What beauty? If you consider ugliness beautiful, then sure," Rafe said.

Romeo glowered at Rafe. Val shook his head, and my brothers and Leokadia climbed into the car. I shut the trunk lid.

"Pat."

I looked at Dad.

"I understand you hate your deafness, but I don't want it to hold you back."

"It's not that."

My dad tilted his head. "Then what is it?"

"I want other people to see past my deafness. No one wants someone to remind them of their disability constantly."

"Pat, people will only make a big deal out of your disability if you do. Your grandpa taught me that lesson."

"Do you care if I ride with Grandpa?"

"Not at all."

I nodded and walked towards Grandpa's car. Grandpa glanced at me.

"Do you mind if I ride with you to college?"

"Not at all. Get in." Grandpa nodded to the car.

I got into the car as Grandpa climbed in. He backed out of the driveway and headed to Saintwood College.

"Patrick, I will give you one piece of vital information. You can do with it however you like," Grandpa said.

I glanced at Grandpa.

"Protect someone weaker than you."

"What do you mean?"

Grandpa held the steering wheel with one hand. "You're deaf, but you're still a Harper. There will be someone that needs your help. When that time comes, you help them. Not everyone has people who care about them."

I nodded, and we talked during the trip. I admired Grandpa Matt and his thought process. Everyone needs a grandfather like him.

*******
Rowan

Hayes and I carried our bags out of the house while the social worker and police officer kept our mother from us.

"You pieces of shit will pay!" Mom screamed at us.

Hayes and I stopped at the car and turned to face our mom.

"Get your damn hands off of me!"

"Ma'am, you need to calm down," the officer said.

Our mother hauled off and slapped the officer across the face, shocking my brother and me.

"You're under arrest for assaulting a police officer," the cop said, cuffing our mom. "You have the right to remain silent." The cop led our mother to the police car as she yelled at him.

The social worker closed and locked the door and strolled towards us. We watched as the cop took our mom away.

"What happens now?" Hayes asked the social worker.

"Now, you live your life without worry."

We nodded, placed our bags into the car, and climbed in. Hayes backed out of the driveway and drove toward college. I glanced at the house as it disappeared from view.

"Ro, don't worry. It's a fresh start for us," Hayes said.

I faced the windshield. "I know."

"College is our chance to have a life that Mom denied us."

I rubbed my forehead. "Do you think things will be better?"

"It depends on your frame of mind." Hayes glanced at me and smiled.

I couldn't help but smile because something told me that college would change my life, and it would happen with a Harper brother.

And that's all they wrote, folks. I guess you'll have to wait until the next book to see what happens. Will Patrick meet Bubbles in person? Will Casper find out how Hayes fits into the equation? Will Saintwood College survive the Harper brothers and their antics?

You'll find out in the next Harper book, The Harper Brothers: College Life.