Silence

Chapter Fifteen

Oakley

The rest of the week passed in a haze of Cole, Cole and more Cole. We spent practically every minute together, hanging out and messing around. Our unofficial relationship was getting stronger. I could feel myself falling hard, and I was terrified and excited.

I couldn't help thinking that something would go wrong.

On Thursday morning, I sat on my bed, panicking about a stupid doctor's appointment I had no idea how to get out of. Mum still hadn't told me, so I assumed she was just going to spring it on me while we were shopping.

If we were even going shopping at all. That could be a lie too.

As I gazed out of the window anxiously, my phone beeped, making me jump. It was a text message from Cole. 'Good luck today. Let me know if you want me to come. X'

Cole was the last person I wanted there, but the sentiment warmed my heart.

"Oakley, are you ready to go?" Mum called up the stairs. My eyes narrowed at the sound of her voice, and I instantly felt guilty. She shouldn't lie to me, but she was just worried. She'd been worrying for years.

Summoning up the courage, I got off the bed and walked downstairs slowly. Dad sat in front of the TV, watching some construction show. He owned a building company, but it wasn't as big as he wanted. That always bothered him, and he was forever stressing over how to become more successful.

I didn't measure success by money and possessions. To me, success was all about family. In my eyes, Dad lost the ability for success a long time ago.

"Okay, honey," Mum started, blowing out a deep breath. "I need to tell you something and I need you to know that I'm only doing it because I love you so much."

I nodded for her to continue, knowing exactly what she was about to say.

"We're going to a doctor's appointment." She held her hand up. "Before you get angry, please remember I'm only ever trying to do what's best for you."

Her eyes welled up with tears, making me feel sick. I hated when she was upset.

"Please, please, will you just go in there with me?" She swiped away a tear that rolled down her cheek.

Do it for her, Oakley, you disappointing her in every other way.

I kept my eyes firmly fixed on the floor and nodded. "Thank you," she whispered.

Although I'd agreed and felt horrible for making her upset, I was fuming. If my own mum couldn't love me the way I was what hope was there for anyone else? Cole and Jasper didn't care in the sense that they didn't try to change me. Dad counted on me staying mute.

I needed my mum.

We left the house and got in the car. She was ashamed for how she'd sprung it on me because she couldn't look at me. The closer we got to the doctor's surgery the less I could breathe.

It'll be okay.

No, it won't. It'll rip your whole world apart.

They won't believe you over him.

It'll kill your Mum, you know it will.

I closed my eyes and begged it to stop. It would be okay because I would never tell. I can keep a secret.

My stomach rolled as we parked outside the surgery.

"I'll be with you the whole time, love. You have nothing to be afraid of."