Saving Mira-Jean (Hiatus)

Chapter 3

It was Friday night and I was lying on my bed in the Hammonds guest room. Mr and Mrs Hammond were out on a date night, Josie was in her room and Chase was out on a soccer team building exercise.

I was trying to digest the reality that was my week. Everything was going well, the work was manageable, I had great friends but my mind struggled to understand the stranger who was Mira-Jean. I had a lot of classes with her but she usually sat in front where no one could talk to her but even in Biology where the teacher sat us in alphabetical order, it was like having a brick wall in front of me.

My phone lit up and I grabbed it, smiling when I saw a message from Mom. I powered on my laptop and opened Skype and called her.

I smiled as Arianna Vega appeared on my computer screen. The only thing we had in common was our blond hair; with her blue eyes and pale skin, it was evident that most of my looks came from my dad.

"Ryder, how are you honey?" Mom gushed happily. "Is everything okay? How is school? How are the Hammonds? Is Bridgewater still the same?"

I laughed before answering all her questions and chatting with her. She still sported her scrubs meaning she just came home from her shift. She was reluctant to let me move here on my own but constant reassurances from me and comforting words from Dad finally got her to agree.

"And your father sent your truck off today," she chirped happily. "It should be there by the end of the week." She frowned as I didn't reply. "Honey? What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath before looking at her. "Mom, why did you tell me about the Swansons?"

She froze and looked at me sadly. "Your father and I were going to tell you but you were having so many difficulties when we moved. We didn't want to add to your stress. And when you finally settled down. Your father decided that it was for the best."

Well, half of that was true.

I had problems adjusting to the dynamic of the much larger high school in California. I was also labelled the new kid which didn't work in my favour with some bullies. My mom who worked as a nurse had a lot of night shifts and my dad's new position as head engineer had him traveling a lot meant that I spent most of my time alone.

"Mom, Mira is my best friend," I said sadly, "Rex is like a brother to me. How could you keep something like from me?" I rubbed my jaw.

"I'm so sorry Ryder. I wanted to tell you and I tried whenever I could but then my job started getting more and more serious and I just got caught up." I looked at the screen, Mom was near tears. I sighed, I hated seeing my mother cry and I could imagine the guilt she felt now.

I rubbed the back of my neck and exhaled softly, "I am not angry just disappointed." I looked at her sadly. "I thought you were standing up to him?" 

Him being my father, he was a good man, he treated Mom as if she were an angel and he was always there for me when I needed him. The only flaw in my father was that his word was law and the consequences were not pleasant if we disobeyed him.

"How are they?" Mira-Jean and Rex?" Mom asked quietly, fearing the worst and effectively changing the topic.

"I haven't seen Rex since I've been here," I replied. "As for Mira," I paused, unable to put my thoughts about her into words.

"Ryder," Mom egged gently.