This Is What It Takes - Larry Stylinson

Chapter Two

"Just make yourself at home, I guess." Harry shrugged at Gemma. He never knew what to say to her, never had. They didn't have a great relationship when they were younger. They were never close and Harry was slightly convinced that Gemma hated him, resented him even. He'd never questioned her and he wasn't strong enough to do that. Nope. He never would. Not like he sees her that much these days anyway. She left home as soon as she turned eighteen, just took off. There wasn't a note, no explanation, she was just gone one morning. It didn't bother him much, but it tore his mum apart, which burned him up pretty bad. At first, Harry wanted to punch Gemma, yell at her, pull her hair, something. Of course he didn't, he wasn't that mean, nor did he even know her whereabouts.

　　Contact wasn't made with Gemma for at least a year and then suddenly, she called. Harry unluckily answered the phone too. He still remembered the entire conversation.

　　"Hello?" There was a choked sob on the other end of the line, making Harry's stomach churn.

　　"Harry?"

　　"Yes? Who is this?"

　　"Gemma." Oh. Harry's mind hadn't even thought of her. Why should it?

　　"I'll get mum. She should be around som-"

　　"No! No. Don't do that."

　　"Why?"

　　"I called to talk to you, Harry. I'm not coming home." Wow, no shit.

　　"I figured as much. Is that all you called for, because I'm in the middle of a pretty intense video game battle."

　　"No, it wasn't. I left for a reason." Her voice was shaking, startling Harry because Gemma was always the stern, strong one.

　　"What was it?"

　　"If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell mum. You can't tell her, okay? At least not now."

　　"Yeah, okay. I won't, I promise." Not like he needed a reason to stay to himself.

　　"I left because I, well, I started using drugs." Oh. 

　　"What kind?"

　　"Cocaine. I'm addicted and I owe money to a couple of guys. They're looking for me."

　　"Oh." That was all he could manage at this point. This news almost made him giddy, because Gemma wasn't the good one anymore, he was.

　　"Yeah.. I had to leave, to protect you guys. They really want the money and they're willing to hurt anyone to get it."

　　"Christ, Gemma. Thanks, guess we have targets on our heads and you just decided to flee?" Harry let out an exasperated breath. How could she do that to them?

　　"No, no, it's not like that! They didn't know where I lived. I left so there was zero chance they'd find you guys."

　　"Oh. Thanks, I guess."

　　"Don't thank me just yet."

　　"Why?"

　　"I need you to do me a favor." This made Harry sigh.

　　"What?"

　　"Call dad. Tell him I ne-"

　　"What! No way in hell."

　　"Harry, please! He can help me!"

　　"Really? Says who? He hasn't helped either of us our entire lives, why would he now?"