My Little Secret

Chapter 18

Cara's Pov

"Todd are you sure there is no way to contact Mom while she's in Africa? Because I really, really, need to talk to her." Todd sighs and visibly tenses.

All of a sudden, something comes over him.  Something isn't right. "I can't do this anymore!" He yells, exasperated. I get off the bed and approach him.

Being as gentle as I can, I ask, "Todd what do you mean? Are you okay? What is it you can't do anymore?" His eyes start to water.

"I can't keep lying to you." He speaks, not making eye contact. I start to get slightly nervous.

"Lie? Lying about what?"

"Mom."

"Wha-"

"Mom is dead." He says barely audible.

"Todd, I don't think I head you correctly. I-"

"She is dead Cara!" He yells at me. "She isn't in Africa, she never was. She's been dead this entire time." Todd starts to approach me, with a look of such anger and horror, I back away. 

"A-a-ar-are you serious!?" I start to hyperventilate. He nods. "Yo-yo-you lied to me." I stutter.  All of a sudden, all I can feel is anger, all I can see is red.

"WHAT THE HELL?! SHE'S GONE?!" I scream in utter disbelief.

"Cara, calm down. Just calm down. Let me ex-"

"ARE YOU REALLY TELLING ME TO CALM DOWN?" I lunge myself at him, throwing him to the floor. "YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM, AFTER BEING INFORMED MY MOTHER HAS BEEN DEAD AND THAT I DIDN'T KNOW IT? OH YEAH TODD, I'M GONNA BE REAL CALM. NOW ANSWER ME! HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN DEAD?!"  Tears streaming freely down my face, I look at him and wait for a response.

He sighs. "She's been dead for about four months." I can practically hear my heart shatter. I let out an ear piercing scream as I back away.

I begin to crumble to the floor, screaming, his words ringing in my ears repeatedly. 'Moms dead.' 'She's dead Cara.' In this moment, nothing feels real. I know my life is bad, but this, this situation cannot be happening to me. I feel numb, yet I feel everything. It's like I'm feeling nothing but everything at the same time. My mother, the person who gave me life, is gone. Forever.

Just then Harry comes through the door looking frantic, the other four trailing behind. I ignore their presence.

Todd starts to approach me again. He begins to kneel down to me.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" I yell.

"Cara please, -"

"No, Todd. Get away from me. GET OUT. YOU ARE THE LAST  PERSON I WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW!"

Todd looks to the boys. "I think you all need to leave right now." 

"No, I think you need to leave right now." I snap.

Todd shook his head and left the room. The other boys started to come my way, but all it took was one glare from me for them to turn right around and head the other way. Except for, you probably guessed it, Harry. Harry comes over to me without saying a word, and he sits with his legs crossed and pulls me onto his lap and just holds me as I violently sob.

This pain, it's just to much to bare. My mother. She's gone. I didn't even get to say goodbye!

I choke out a sob. I just cannot believe it. I jump out of Harry's grasp, and right away,I'm not going to lie, I want to feel his warmth. Something about his hug, and how tight he held onto me was oddly comforting, but I need to get out. I sprint out of the room, and down the stairs, out of the front door and into cold night. It was pouring down rain, and I just ran. I needed to escape Todd, I couldn't stand knowing he was in the same house, as well as I need to possibly escape the pain for even a moment. I just continued to run, not to anywhere in particular, just away.