The Hawthorne Sister

Chapter 3

"I'm going." I announced. Grandfather had... died 3 weeks ago.

I knew it was coming.

It shouldn't have been so hard on me.

If anything, it should have been hard on the others more. They didn't expect it.

And yet, I had almost broken my no crying streak. 11 years had almost gone down the drain.

We were all coping some way or another.

Xander had thrown himself into his work. He'd cried at some point, but was trying to be positive. It seemed like he'd have another patent soon.

Nash had disappeared, only reappearing to give brief comfort.

Jameson had become even more combative, constantly challenging Grayson, intentionally provoking him. He'd started getting drunk on purpose again. At this point, he just had a blatant disregard for life.

I was fine.

Lie.

Damn brain, you really got to call me out like that?

I guess I was coping by being a Hawthorne. Gathering blackmail, buying daggers, etc.

And Grayson... Grayson became obsessed with the will. The will where he thought he'd get the foundation, the last piece of Tobias Hawthorne. The last piece of our Grandfather.

It was hard to not feel bad.

But Avery Kylie Grambs had to be present for the will reading. And guess what?

We couldn't get ahold of her. 

I had done some light stalking. I knew where she lived, which school she went to, her friend Max, etc.

So naturally, when Grayson decided he was going to go to her school, I was going to demand to go too. And I was going to get my way.

"No." Grayson glared at me, trying to sound firm.

Jameson, who was sitting in the corner, reading, looked up from his book. He knew a fight was coming.

"I'm going." I repeated. I knew about her more than he did. 

"No Lilith, you're not." 

He better be joking.

"You're not Grandfather." I know, I shouldn't have said that. Not only was I bringing him up, I was calling him Grandfather. Everyone else called him "the old man". We all knew I was the closest to him, the one he liked the most. They just didn't like discussing it.

He swallowed harshly. I should have stopped there, but I kept going.

"Grandfather didn't have the right nor ability to boss me around. Just because he's gone doesn't mean you're in charge now." I was definitely pushing the limits. He was going to snap, sooner or later.

"I'm the one he talked to about inheriting the foundation, aren't I?" He looked triumphant. The irony.

"Didn't he tell you to not say a word?" How tempted I was to tell him how the old man asked me first. I restrained myself. I wasn't that cruel.

"Like you said, he's gone." His voice was bitter.  

"Look. We both know I'm going and you can't stop me. The least you can do is retain some of your dignity and not miserably fail at stopping me." I held his gaze. He might be fourteen minutes older, but who was the one who graduated two years before him? Me.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, suddenly looking tired.

"Fine. You'll let me handle it though."

Oh not a chance, but whatever floats his boat.

"The flight is in an hour, go get ready." He turned away from me and walked out the door. Jameson took the opportunity to put his book down.

"Shut up Jameson." I hissed.

"I didn't say anything." He defended, putting his hands up.

"I can feel your judgement." 

Gray and I hadn't fought like this in over a year. The last time was about Emily.

I hated that girl.

Rebecca is much better. 

I stood next to Grayson and Jameson. We were meeting up with Emily and Rebecca again. This was our first time seeing them this summer. I knew that in no time, Gray and Jamie would be competing. I could enjoy the time before that though.

Emily walked in confidently, Rebecca walking timidly after her. 

While Grayson and Jameson were immediately enraptured by her, I moved to stand next to Rebecca. She was Xanders age, two years younger than me. 

"Hey Lilith." She sighed. I knew she was already annoyed with her sister. Can't say I blamed her. 

"Hey Becca."  

We stood for a while, watching my brothers bend to Emily's whim. I'd tried to tell them, but they never listened.

"Want to go find Xander?" I asked. I needed to get out of here. Watching this was just pathetic.

"Please."

I'd always gotten along with Rebecca.

"Bringing up the old man was a low blow." Jameson muttered, fully bringing me back to the present.

"Nothing else would have worked." If that was what was needed, then so be it. 

Jameson hummed in agreement. 

"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go get ready. If I come back and you're drunk, there will be hell to pay." I warned. 

He smiled lazily at me.

"Got it."