Blood Money (1) | The Inheritance Games

XXII. ours

"So don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine"

Spencer.

I watch as Noah helps his Grandma inside her home. I find it adorable that he calls her Grammy, I can tell he's such a Grammy's boy. So's Maja if I'm honest, only she expresses her love differently. Whilst Noah is very obvious about it, Maja carries a silent love for everyone.

After being verbally abused and slut shamed by his family I realize why he never brought me home before now. It was because he knew his family wouldn't like me. He didn't want to embarrass me or bring shame to his family. 

If I'm honest, I understand. It sometimes feels like my own family feels the same way. Like I'm an embarrassment. I get that though, I mean truly I understand. I've always been an outsider to that house. The only girl grandchild. The only one who didn't play along to the old mans games. The only one who had a punk faze — perhaps the most embarrassing thing. The only sex addict — as kindly named by the internet. The only person sexualised by every aspect of the media. The only one with paparazzi snapping photos up her skirt at her 16th birthday party.

I just wish I had been different tonight, I wish I hadn't shouted at his Aunt telling her she was sluttier than me for sliding out 4 babies. I wish I hadn't blatantly disrespected their religion — thanks for keeping that one quiet Noah. I wish I hadn't worn a short dress. But most of all, I wish they didn't find out who my parents were. Which reminds me, how the fuck do they know my Father and I don't? Seems a little unfair when 50% of my DNA is his??

"What's on your mind?" Noah questions, his hand reaching out to my thigh. His sister is far from listening, smiling down at her phone as she scrolls mindlessly through tiktoks. 

"I'm sorry for messing things up with your family." I bite my cheek. "You're sorry?" He laughs gently.

"I slut shamed your Aunt!" I emphasis with a mortified grimace. "Right after she did to you. They completely ganged up on you and you still won the fight. You're a professional." He squeezes my thigh with a gentle laugh.

"I don't want to be a professional arguer.. I'm not violent.." I say desperately.

"I didn't say you were. You're just good at defending yourself." He clarifies unfazed, his eyes on the road.

"Is that why you didn't?" I let the words slip out my mouth before I can stop myself. "Spence.." Noah trails off. His hand snaps back to the wheel and he tenses up.

"Sorry." I apologise. There's a long silence.

"I'm sorry they called you those things." He speaks up over the quiet muffled talking on the radio.

"It's fine." I shrug off. "It's not." His voice is louder. "I'm fine." I correct. The things they said aren't okay, but I am. 

"I'll see you at school on Monday." I tell him as he drives past the gates of Hawthorne House. 

"Yeah.. just call if you need anything." He says with a sort of uneasy look on his face.

"Text me before you go to sleep?" I ask hopefully. "Will do." He nods in agreement. I didn't get a text that night for the record. 

I gave him a slightly awkward kiss and lead Maja up the endless stairs in the direction of my room.

On the way past the upstairs theatre, Jameson passes us. His eyes scan Maja up and down. "Unexpected guest." He comments bluntly.

"Unexpected pj's." She smirks in response. Jameson doesn't falter, not feeling evenly remotely embarrassed about his dinosaur pj's at the ripe age of 18.