The Phlebotomy Professor (Teacher x Student || Intersex)

35.

Novalie:

"M-mommy? That's really you?" Claire asked as she stepped forward but I pulled her back causing her to push my arm away while glaring up at me in confusion and anger.

"Wrong house." I stated harshly before slamming the door shut. I balled my hands into fists and felt Sage touch my shoulder but I jumped back as I shook my head.

"Novalie I know you're mad at me. And I'm sorry. I want to talk and explain everything. Please. It's Claire's sixteenth birthday, and I want to make sure that you both get an explanation."

"Novalie! Please!" Claire sobbed causing me to scoff as I continued to snarl at the door.

"How did you even know where to find us?"

"Your old address gave me your forwarding address for your mail-"

"I don't understand why you think you can just pop up and expect me to want to talk to you. You look...busy. So go attend to your new family." I hissed.

"What are you talking about?! She came back! I told you she would-"

"Can you stop being so fucking naive for once?!" I yelled at Claire causing her to jump and stare up at me with tears in her eyes. I swallowed hard and looked over at Sage and Brooke who just stared at me with a look of hurt and concern.

"Look at her! Look at the ring on her finger!"

"Novalie please let me explain. Please." I heard her voice spill from behind the door and the tears slipped down my face as I let out an angry sob while shaking my head.

"Why now? Huh?" I asked as I ripped the door open. She stared at me with red rimmed eyes and stepped forward but I stepped back as I shook my head.

"You think you could just come here after all of this time? Huh?-"

"Novalie let her talk. Please." Claire sobbed quietly causing me to glare down at her. I looked up at Sage and watched as her pained eyes analyzed my teary ones. She nodded slightly and I let out a shaky breath while clenching my fists to hold it together.

"You stand by the door and explain. Now. Don't sugarcoat anything. How did you find us? Why now? You look different so I know time really passed since I wasn't counting." I spat causing her to swallow hard at my words.

"The night I left I...I saw how I was hurting you. After he hurt you Novie, I knew it was time. I'm so sorry, and I wish I had control over myself to help you-"

"I don't want your apology. You allowed it to happen-"

"No I didn't. Why do you think he was never around after that? I kicked him out! I threatened to call the police on him."

"But you didn't! You know why?!" I yelled as the memories of my father hurting me replayed in my mind. It was something I never spoke about because I never wanted to think of it again. He was so high he thought I was my mother and hurt me while she was passed out on the couch.

"Because you were high! And if you had called the police you would've gotten in trouble. You saved your own ass while your man thought I was you. And then you leave?! You leave and think you can just come back?!" I screamed and she nodded as her tears streamed down her face.

"I went to go live with Claire's biological father after I left because he got me help."

"My what?" Claire asked as she stepped forward. I swallowed hard and clenched my eyes shut as I let out a shaky breath. I never open up about our childhood to Claire because I never wanted her to relive those memories, or ever have her know that I was only her half-sister because mom got
pregnant by her old drug dealer.

"Novie, you knew?" Claire asked quietly and I laughed humorlessly before glaring up at my mom who stared back with anguish.

"How did the man that turned you out get you help? Or did you go to him for supply but he saw how fùcking pathetic you were instead?"

"Novalie!" Claire yelled causing me to look down at her in shock. I couldn't believe she was falling for this woman's shit.

"We were in love but we couldn't be together because of your father. When I told him what happened he wanted to kill him, Novalie. He's not like that. He put me through rehab and he helped me build my life back together-"

"While your daughters struggled? Huh?" I spat darkly. She shook her head but I nodded as I laughed humorlessly again while pointing at her.

"Yes you fùcking did-"

"I didn't. I left like that because I knew you'd take care of her. You've always had. And I can't thank you enough-"

"Oh cut the shit!"

"Novalie! Come on!" Claire sobbed as she stood between our mother and I.

"Can't you see she tried? She left us to get better for us! And now she's back! She even remembered my birthday, isn't that enough?"

"Stay out of this! You don't know shit!" I yelled at Claire causing everyone to jump.

"I know enough to know that you don't have to play mommy anymore! Why can't you just be fucking happy?!" Claire yelled back as she grabbed her mothers hand. I scoffed and ran a hand down my face as I sobbed in frustration. I felt like I was going to go crazy and Sage knew it as she grabbed my hands.

"Sage, let go of me." I growled through my teeth with my eyes clenched shut.

"Baby, calm down. Please. You look like you want to hurt someone-"

"You don't say." I laughed as I looked at Sage who watched with worried eyes. Brooke tried to hand me a cup of water but I shook my head, my entire body still trembling the way it has from the moment I first answered the door.

"Fuck you. Fuck that. Claire, go upstairs and get ready for bed. You! Leave and don't come back!" I yelled as I grabbed Claire who screamed and pushed me off of her.

"Stop! I want to talk to her!"

I laughed and looked down at Claire with a smile that caused her to step back slightly. I looked between them and nodded before clasping my hands together and walking up the stairs, leaving everyone calling for me. I shut the bedroom door and slid to the ground as I tried to control my breathing.

She's so fucking naive. My mother went ahead and had a family while leaving us to struggle and thinks she's a fùcking saint? One fake apology just means all is forgiven?

Oh fucking please. They both can kiss my ass.