Oh, Heather

Chapter Three

Another brief mention of sexaul assault [!]
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   Heather showed up in a light brown sweater and a darker pair of brown jeans. She had her favorite pair of high-top sneakers on. She walked on the sidewalk, checking for her friends. She made it to the end of that part of the sidewalk where a few metal picnic tables were scattered around. She checked the tables to find Miley sitting alone, nervously checking around the area. She walked over, sitting beside her friend.

   “Hi Miley. Where’s Leo?” She asked.
   “He’ll be here soon. He’s waiting for his dad to fall asleep.” 
   “His dad? Are you guys not siblings?”
   “No?” She laughed.
   “Oh,”
   “Did you seriously think we were related?” Miley asked.
   “Well, I mean, yeah. You guys kinda look alike and you act like siblings.” She said.
   “I think you're the only person who’s thought me and Leo were related, like, ever.” She said.

Heather began fidgeting with her fingers underneath the table, trying to find some shift in the conversation.

   “Do you have any siblings?” Miley asked.
   “I have a little brother. His name is Corey.” She said.
   “I wish I had younger siblings, I only have my brothers.”
   “How old are they?” Heather asked.
   “My brother Jack is 23, Gavin is 20, and Theo is 18.” She said.
   “Oh sweet. So you grew up with only guys?” 
   “Well, no. My moms adopted me when I was 11. There wasn’t much growing up to be done.” She replied, moving her hair out of her face.
   “Wait, you're adopted?” Heather asked, squinting her eyes slightly.
   “Yeah. Did I never tell you?” Miley answered, tilting her head.
   “No?” She replied.

Miley laughed, looking up at the sidewalk to check for Leo. Heather turned around to help look. She saw Leo walking towards the table. He had a black sweater matched with a pair of dark gray sweatpants. He had a locket on that rested just past the neckline of his sweater. He sat down in front of the girls.

   “Hi Leo!” Miley smiled.
   “Hey Leo.” Heather said.
   “Hey guys.” He replied, returning the smile.

An awkward silence shifted around the table. 

   “Heather thought we were siblings. That’s like, super crazy right?” Miley said, looking between the other two.
   “Really? I mean, you're like a sister to me,” 
   “But what made you think that?” He said, turning to Heather.
   “You guys look similar and you guys act like siblings.” She mumbled, pursing her lips.
   “I don’t think we’ve ever been told we look like siblings.” He said.
   “That’s what I said.” Miley replied.

They talked for a little longer before Miley decided it was time to go actually do something on the playground.

   “Miley, we're 17 years old. Don’t you think we’ll look a bit, I don’t know, out of place?” Heather said.
   “There’s like, no kids on the playground. Come on. Please.” Miley begged.
   “Oh my god. Fine.” Leo said, rolling his eyes.
   “I guess.” Heather said.
   “Yay!” She said, grabbing Heather’s hand.
   “Come on Leo!” She called, realizing Leo hadn’t stood up yet.

   Once they made it to the playground, they climbed around. Well, Miley did most of the climbing. Heather went down the slide a few times, swinging for the rest of the time. Leo took off his locket and asked her to hold it. He swung with her as they watched Miley go across the monkey bars, spin along the maypole spinner, ultimately fall off of a slide, and end her playground journey by climbing all the way to the top of the rock wall. 

   “Well, I gotta get back home. I don’t know when my dad will be awake.” Leo said, hugging the other two.
   “Bye Leo!” Miley said, returning the hug.
   “Bye Leo.” Heather said, also returning the hug.

He walked off, hopping onto his bike. As he rode off, Heather realized he left his locket with her.

   “I forgot to give Leo his locket back.” She said.
   “Just give it back to him Monday at school.” Miley replied.
   “Alright.” Heather said, putting the locket in her purse.

   She hugged Miley goodbye as she walked back off to her house. Once she made it back, expecting to be greeted by her little brother again, she remembered they weren’t home. She put her purse into her room and landed on her bed. She turned on a random movie, playing on her phone as it played in the background. She got a message from Miley that read, can you call me right now? 

Heather called her and was immediately met with Miley taking a deep breath.

   “Oliver messaged me.” She said.
   “What did he say?” She asked, sitting up.
   “He said, “Hey I know we got off on the wrong foot but I wanna try to be better. I’m getting back with Leo rather you like it or not.” Isn’t that insane?” 
   “Jesus.” Heather muttered.
   “I know. He’s actually insane.” 
   “Do you think Leo’s gonna get back with him?
   “I hope not. But Leo doesn’t… Nevermind,”
   “But he’s probably going to get back with him.” She said.
[!]“Whenever you said that he was acting all buddy-buddy with the guy who assaulted him what did you mean?” Heather asked.

She had been confused about it since it happened. She knew what assault meant, she wasn’t that stupid. But she wanted more background. If she wasn’t meant to know, she’d drop it. However, her curiosity wouldn’t be gone as quick. 

  “It happened last summer. Before we went into 11th grade there was this party that another student was hosting and we got invited. At the party, me, Oliver, and Leo were probably the only ones not drinking and we were sitting in a room. I left to go to the bathroom and when I came back… Yeah.” She said.
   “Shit. Did it happen more than once?” 
   “Leo wouldn’t tell me. He won’t talk about it.” 
   “I get why he won’t. That’s not a fun thing to talk about.”
   “I mean, obviously. But I just wish he would stop getting back with him.” She said.
   “Anyway, I’ve gotta go. My moms are taking me and my brothers out to eat. Bye Heather.” 
   “Bye Miley.” [!]
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I wasn't sure what to do for this chapter lol
I'm adding Wednesday's to the uploading schedule,
So be expecting a chapter out every Mon, Wed, Fri <3