The Unwanted

Chapter Eighteen

Word Count: 1748

Everett's POV

"Everett Leigh Harris!! When we call I expect you to pick up!" Bridget screams at me through the phone. I immediately tense up at her tone. They rarely call so this must be bad.

"I-I'm sorry," I stutter trying not to cry. I really hate being yelled at. It always reminds me of worse times

"You should be! Now Frank and I are at the airport getting ready to board soon. We have an emergency in New York and are flying back. You'll need to be here within twenty minutes if you're planning on flying with us. Otherwise, when you go home to pack, you'll need to also book yourself a flight.," she harshly piles on.

"O-ok," I grimace at the thought. There's no way I'll make it to Atlanta's airport in twenty minutes.

"Where were you last night?" Bridget pesters.

"With a friend," I reply trying to keep Scarlett and everyone anonymous. I'm not sure why, it's not like they would know who she is.

"This friend isn't some boy, right? The last thing we need is you being knocked up or something of that sort," she chuckles as if it was a joke but it didn't feel like one to me.

"Nope, not a boy," I reply lowly. My mind already moving a million miles a minute trying to figure out how I'll get back to New York in one piece. I already hate flying so me flying alone probably won't be any better.

"Good that's good. We don't need you sleeping around while we work hard to support you," Bridget giggles, making me think that she's probably a little drunk. I know I shouldn't take it personally but tears still spring to my eyes. When I look up I see Scarlett watching me with a careful eye. She keeps her distance but continues to inch her way closer to me.

"Uh-huh. I won't make it to the airport so I guess I'll figure it out and try to be back by tonight?" I suggest trying to steer the conversation away from any other opportunity to pick on me.

"Okay, we'll be in the air for a while so if you need something else, you'll be on your own," Bridget reminds me as if that wasn't the story of my life. You're on your own, kid - the true definition of my life.

"I know," I swallow harshly.

"Great good. The emergency card should be in the house like always - Frank stop - it's not funny she just said she wasn't whoring around," Bridget cuts herself off, "stop saying that we don't know yet. She might actually have friends." I hear the loud laughs that follow and try my best not to full on sob.

"Um, I've got to go. I'll call you when I'm in New York?"

"Text please instead. We will be at work and can't be disturbed," Bridget firmly tells me.

"Okay, bye," I hang up the phone quickly before I start full-on crying. I hate that nearly every emotion comes out as tears. If I'm mad I cry, sad, I cry, anxious, I cry. It's always crying.

Someone engulfs me in a warm hug and at first, I try to wriggle my way out of it. I don't wanna anyone restraining me. "Hey, it's just me, it's Scarlett. You're okay, I promise whatever's wrong. You're going to be okay," she coos in my ear and I melt into her touch, knowing I'm safe here.

Scarlett draws shapes on my back as she holds me close and I try my best to calm down. My abandonment issues soar as I replay over and over what Bridget just told me.

"I-I need to go," I say after I finally catch my breath.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Scarlett jumps into action.

"N-nothing. It's okay. I just need to go," I force back my tears as I try to refocus my mind. I have to get to New York before tonight, so I don't have to sleep in a strange place.