CASTAWAY ⚓ R.C, J.M

SEVEN

The refreshing, coolness of a strawberry and banana smoothie did nothing to ease the tension in the Wreck between the Rochester family. Harley had been about to stroll past her parents at the station as though they were ghosts, when JJ gave her a look and told her to give them a chance. The haywire blonde was the main reason she sat opposite her parents now. JJ sat off at a different table with Frankie who wore a cold expression. 

Harley had forgotten how protective Frankie could be and just how mean one of his glares looked. He was the kind of brother every little girl should have in their corner - annoying as fuck but protective till death. He was the type of brother to tell someone they couldn't bully Harley because he was the only one allowed to do it. Not even his friends could get away with certain jokes.

"Charlie," Mia called. Harley's eyes flittered from her boyfriend back to her parents. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." She puffed out air and got to the point. "Why are you here?"

"Officer Shoupe called us," Frank answered.

"I see that. But why?"

"Because you're our daughter and apparently you and your friends are causing quite some bother."

Harley scoffed. "We're not the problem."

"Then who is?"

"Your buddy, Ward Cameron."

Frank straightened in his seat, his expression turning placid. Harley had expected a different reaction, something more volatile and reactive, something to express the disdain that had trickled into the emails she'd read between the two rich men.

"He hasn't laid a hand on you, has he?"

"Shouldn't you know, with all your spies?" Harley nudged away her smoothie. "Shouldn't you know I haven't had a parent figure for a year? And that John B and I were taken in by Ward."

Harley didn't miss the glance her parents shared. It was a strange look she couldn't decipher. Based on the email she had read when she snooped through Ward's computer, he and her father were not on the best of terms, yet her parents let him take her into his home. Talk about keeping your enemies closer. 

"Your friend needed a legal guardian, and you both didn't stay there." Frank stated matter-of-factly. His words calmly extinguished the accusatory tone in Harley's voice. "Look, I'm not going to pretend that every decision I made, and the decisions your mother and I made were perfect. But, they were made with your best interests at heart. Maybe one day you can learn to understand why and accept it. But until then, whether you like it or not we're here for you now."

"I survived a year without you, I could do two more." Harley murmured stubbornly. 

Frank looked like he wanted to say something, probably about how she technically hadn't survived without them. Instead, an amused smile took over his face and he nodded. "We don't doubt you could. We taught you well."

Mia asked, "Will you come back to the house with us tonight? Your... friend can come too, we have enough room." She gave her daughter a knowing look which made Harley flush. 

The Pogues had done everything they could tonight. Shoupe had made sure to put a stop to their progress and now they'd have to regroup and figure out a new plan.

It was getting late and Kie had gone off with Pope, so they wouldn't be getting anything done. With it being so late Harley agreed. This was her giving them a chance.

They got up from their seats and Harley fell into step beside her mom.

Up ahead, Frank said something to the two boys which got very different reactions. Frankie looked perturbed, whilst JJ seemed surprised, he had even peeked back at Harley with wide eyes.