Behind The Glasses

Chapter 12

    I felt like I was unclean; that I had contracted some mysterious disease; I was being threatened to be put into care. Wow; that’s not something that happened every day! Hunter had woken me up early this morning, four in the morning early – to say we had a meeting in an hour. Who in their right mind would hold a meeting at five in the morning for heaven’s sake!

   Turn out this crazy madman calling the meeting was our boss; a very cranky boss. Cranky – why? He had been over in the US sorting out various finances; not that it was any of our business; he had caught an early morning plane, which ended up arriving in the early morning UK time; he was absolutely knackered, wanting to hold the meeting ASAP so he could go home and sleep.

   I didn’t get most of what he was saying, long words at five in the morning is too demanding; instead I sat politely nodding when it seemed appropriate, freshly showered, hair pulled back in a simple plait, I had on some clean jeans and a nice top. Hunter was in smart jeans and a button down top – the meeting was important.

   An hour later he released us from his office, I had no idea what had gone on in the last hour; I desperately needed a caffeine boost though. Hunter took me home quickly, saying he had to go out to sort things out at various offices. I merely grunted in response. He could do what he liked – I could look after myself.

    Finding some cereal, I threw it in the bowl; contemplating the social workers words last night: I shouldn’t be looking after myself as much as I did. But that was normal – it was all I had ever known; for a long, long time. What was it like to be in a ‘normal’ family? Where did their parents get their money if all they did was dote upon their children all day?

   Children didn’t cook their own meals? Or wash and iron their own clothes? Clean the house? Have jobs?  Do the shopping? Tend to house repairs? What did children do these days?! People had far too much spare time on their hands!

   Only then did I realise how different my upbringing was, how naïve I was; in a sort of context. I felt like a twenty six year old woman in a child’s body; weird.

    Trudging to school, my thoughts spun round and round in my head; I was so confused. Evan only added to my confusion by meeting me at the school gates; “Congratulations! This is great news Harper! I’ve put the posters up all around school like dad said; and he’s putting them up all over town; I’ve got people to distribute leaflets too!”

   “Whoa! Hold your horses!” I cried, throwing my hands up in exasperation. I couldn’t understand a word he was saying! “What are you going on about Evan? I was woken up at silly o’clock this morning for a meeting – you have to explain things slowly to me”.

   “That’s what I’m talking about – the meeting! Dad said about the huge race your entering; he want’s huge publicity for his company; you know, because they sponsor you and all” he rambled, a grin on his face, eyes lit up as he rambled excitedly about the plans he was carrying out.

Thinking about it for a moment I took in what Evan just said, slowed down and simplified: Big Race. Lots of people from school. Me. This was not a good mix! This was going to be a disaster.

   “You didn’t put my name on that poster did you?” I hissed.

“Of course I did!” Evan grinned happily, “You’re going to be more famous!”

“Evan!” I screamed, “What is the key thing about my racing? That people don’t know it’s me!”

“I don’t see what the big deal is” he huffed;

“People won’t understand! That’s the big deal!”

   “What is there to understand Harper? Is this about you? Or about your brother? Or your other mysterious family? Why won’t you let anyone come to your house? Are you ashamed of Hunter? Or scared he will hit you again?” Evan shouted back, inching towards me. “What is this really about Harper?” Evan demanded, his face twisting into the ugliest expression I have seen in my whole life; it was a mix of desperation and anger.

   “Don’t you think you’ve said enough?” a voice hissed from behind me: Ryker; behind him stood Amya and Xander; booth looking equally as furious. Ryker held his arm around me from behind, I could feel his hand clutching in a protective manor – keeping a distance between Evan and I. Evan glared at my  friends, before turning on his heel and stalking away. “Harper…” Amya began, but I turned away from them all; stalking off as fast as I could.

    Hidden in the far corners of the library I repeatedly banged my head against the wall. Why was I such an idiot? Why did I snap at Evan like that? He was only being nice; I should apologise. Ryker, Amya and Xander had come to my rescue sort of as well; what did I do? Walk away. I might as well have spat in their faces. I was a horrible person.

   Stupid, stupid girl.  I banged my head on that wall until it hurt; serves me right. Then I banged it some more until I became numb to the pain. “Are you going to stop doing that? You’ll lose a lot of precious brain cells you know” Ryker laughed from behind me. Turning with red rimmed eyes I pulled him to me.

   I’m not really a person that goes around hugging a lot of people; to be completely honest I would much prefer it if people didn’t touch me. Ryker’s arms snaked around my waist; holding me too him; I felt safe in his arms. When I finished crying we pulled apart; “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do” he sighed, pulling up a chair for himself, I took the one opposite to him.

   I told him everything. About mum and dad, juggling school, work and the track, Hunter, Jace and Michael; Evan, how his dad was the boss of the company that sponsored Hunter and I; how I look after myself, how I do the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning; everything. I never stop.

   Ryker ran a few fingers through his auburn hair, it was growing long, I only just noticing; but it was in desperate need for a trim. He was speechless; it was like we were meeting for the first time. I suppose we were, Harper at school is quiet and shy, she goes through school perfectly behaved, she laughs, she smiles and she goes home. I go home and I’m back to the real me – the one with all the work to do.

   When Ryker continued to say nothing I told him about my eavesdropping on the rents the night before; and on the social worker. He was already shocked so I thought he couldn’t get any worse.

   “I really didn’t know Harper. God, I don’t know what to say! My biggest problem this week was trying to complete the last mission on GTA 5! Wow. Harp, I really don’t know what to say. You should’ve told me”.

“I know” I mumbled. “I just… I couldn’t”.