Mockingbird

Chapter Twelve

"Dad," Hunter choked. "I was just showing Holland those pictures of you and Mom that LoriJean took. Thought she should know more."

I looked at Hunter in complete shock. Did he just say that? "Straightforward here, are we?" I didn't hesitate to say.

"I don't have anything to lie about, and neither do you," he shrugs. "Sorry, Dad."

Those words of Hunter's really made me think. He's got nothing to hide. He's just honest. And we all should be. But why are we all afraid to tell people the truth? Lies only get you into a hell of a lot more trouble.

"I'm not mad," Harry shakes his head. "Just make sure your mother doesn't see those, okay?"

"Make sure I don't see what?" Elizabeth asks, strolling into the office.

The three of us stood there, frozen, as she looks around the office. She notices the familiar picture envelope in Hunter's hand, and she snatches it from him in disbelief.

"What the hell do you think you're doing with these?" she retorts. "And why, Harry, are you on their side?"

Hunter stepped forward. "Holland just wanted to--"

"I don't care what she wants, she can't just be up everyone's business and act like it's fine," she says, her voice getting louder.

"Look, Elizabeth," I say. "Hunter was just trying to--"

"Hunter," she interjects. "Go upstairs."

"Mom, I'm sorry, I didn't--"

"Just get your ass upstairs!"

Hunter flees, leaving only Elizabeth, Harry, and I in the office. Elizabeth was obviously furious with me, and Harry just seemed nervous about what she would say to me next. But I would, too. Man, how does he freaking live with her?

"Elizabeth," Harry says, putting his hand softly on the smalls of her back, trying to comfort her before she blew up. "This wasn't Holland's idea, you--"

Elizabeth growls fairly loud. "Does anyone around here listen to me anymore? Her name isn't Holland, its Evelyn and she's my child. Not LoriJean's. What more proof does the poor girl need?"

"Proof?" I scoff. "If I wanted proof, I would've gotten it by now. Why are you so defendant about this?"

"Because I can't let her take you away again," Elizabeth cries. "You are my child, and she may have--"

"You know what? Now I might need some proof," I say. "Maybe I need to go out and discover what really happened to me, Lori--my mom--, and this messed up Styles family."

"Holland," Harry steps forward. "We are your family, you may not--"

"No," I say. "You're not. And I'm sorry, but as much as you guys try, you just won't be. I don't have one. And if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be. Y'all are making me late."

Harry and Elizabeth weren't happy with me just walking out, the way they were shouting profanities.

I rushed upstairs angrily, grabbing my runaway bag and rushing out of the door. Mom and Dad were yelling at me from the driveway, Ellen was shouting at me through the window, Sienna kept asking questions as she was just coming back from her walk, and the last thing I saw when I looked back was Hunter.

He was staring blankly through the kitchen window, tears falling from his face. I told him I'd never leave. And I lied. But I couldn't stand it. I needed to be taken to my mother. And I couldn't do that without two special people.

Jojo and Maxx.