The Harper Family: Faithfully Yours (Wattpad Version)

Change of plans

Demarco

As much as I wanted to stay with Mel, it was time to return home. Our therapists said it wasn't healthy for us if we wanted to move past our sexual assaults. It didn't mean we didn't spend time together. We were creating a healthy boundary in our relationship.

I carried my bags into the house and dropped them.

Pops saw me and chuckled. "The prodigal son has returned."

I rolled my eyes. "Only because Grammy and Dr. Shaw suggested I come home."

My pops helped me take my bags to my bedroom. "Mel must be doing better."

"She is. Working with Oliver is helping her. Gives her a sense of purpose."

"Yeah, Oliver is more levelheaded than the rest of us."

I glanced around my bedroom. It's been a few months since I stayed in this room. It was the same yet different.

"I know that look."

"What look?"

"The look that says I want to follow Oliver's example and demolish my bedroom."

"Nah. We got rid of any remnants from that night. I didn't realize how a place could affect you so much. You should have been there when Mel saw Oliver's office. It's like she relived that even all over again."

"D, it was a hellish night for Melody. The rest of us didn't fair too well, either. We were at a loss for how to help Melody. How do you reassure someone everything will be okay after what happened?"

"You won't unless you've been through it."

My dad nodded in agreement. "I'll let you unpack."

"Thanks."

My pops left my bedroom while I unpacked. I put my clean clothes away and tossed the dirty ones into the hamper. I thought about everything. I spent months locked away in my bedroom, thinking it was better. It wasn't.

After putting my luggage in the closet, I checked out my room. Jaylen had a habit of taking my stuff and not returning it. Sure enough, I found stationary and pens missing from my desk.

I left my bedroom to get my stuff back from Jaylen. When I approached his room, I stopped.

"No, I haven't said anything," Jay said.

I peeped into his room to find him on the phone and listened.

"Our folks would tan our hides if they found out. I told them it was a bad idea. No, I swear I haven't said anything. Will you relax? It's not like anyone knows the truth."

"What truth?" I asked.

Jay jumped from his spot with his phone to his ear. "Kolton, I need to let you go." He ended the call and tossed his phone on his bed. "Hey, D. When did you get home?"

I walked into the room. "A few minutes ago. Now, don't change the subject. What truth?"

"I don't know what you mean." Jay shrugged and shook his head slightly.

"Bull. I heard you. You were talking to Kolton about that party."

"No, I wasn't."

"Don't lie to me, Jay." I pumped my hand at Jay.

Jay clammed up.

I crept toward him. "What happened at that party for you and Kolton to bolt?"

"D, I can't tell you."

"Why? What's so bad you can't talk about a house party?"

"You wouldn't understand." Jay shook his head.