Only One Cup of Coffee

Chapter 9

A raspy yawn came out of my mouth as I woke to the sound of heart break girl thrumming into my eardrums from my phone.

I realised that I had to work on the history project with Harper. I had decided to do it earlier to get it over with.

I pulled on my purple sweats and a tank and hobbled down the steps, ready to greet Harper.

I steadily pulled my straight red hair into a bun as I took the stairs two at a time.

I almost tumbled into the landing as soon as I saw my dad's father's brother's cousin in law's son who's name I couldn't remember.

I plastered a fake grin on my face and greeted him.

He asked all the awkward question like, 'oh, I'm your uncle, do you remember me?' Or 'I remember how you looked when you were a young girl.'

It's just so awkward when people do that and I honestly don't wish to be that kind of an aunt when I grow older.

I was still rhythmically ignoring my parents.

They didn't need me and I only needed them for my education and meals.

I did, of course, still talk to my brother. He was lovely to me as always and took better care of me now, considering my state since my parents were being difficult. And I thought children were difficult!

I decided that it didn't matter if Alex was not my real brother. I decided that true unconditional love is not confined to those related by blood.

For all I know, Alex probably loved me more than my real parents ever could have.

I haven't even been given a reason for why they left me. Were they dead? Were they too poor to afford to take care of me?

Plagued by these thoughts I almost didn't hear the door bell ring.

I was about to make a run to the door but my dad beat me to it, flipping it open and plastering a fake smile on his chapped lips.

His smile turned slightly grim as he assessed the person at the door.

"Who are you?" He asked.

A tousle-haired brunette popped into view by the door, in jeans and a humongous hoodie.

"I'm Harper Demenché sir. The guy who used to live down the street. I moved back." He replied in a clear, deep voice.

I shivered where I stood, curling a loose lock of my red hair in my fingers nervously.

"Ah! Hoffman's son! Tis' been a long time huh, Harper?" He said, voicing a tinge of hate as he uttered the boy's name.

Harper shot me a side long glance, ignoring my dad's snide comment.

"Oh, do come in Harper. I can introduce you to my father's-"

"Oh, I truly am sorry, mr. Lebbec but you see, Caroun and I have a history project, which is why I showed up at your house. I do think it would be pleasant if we could work on it." Harper shot dad a charismatic grin and looped an arm around mine, dragging me to my bedroom.

--

"Dayum did you book us outta there!" I said to him.

"Just holla if u need help hon." He replied jokingly.

"Okay, all jokes aside, we've got a project to seriously work on."

--

I lay in a puddle of sweat on the floor beside Harper as we rounded up the last bits of information on the French Revolution and the undertaking of Bastille.

Turns out, we managed to finish an hour after the relative of mine had left so we wouldn't have had another miserable encounter with him.

As soon as we went downstairs, my dad shot Harper a sour look and impolitely rushed him out of the house.

I flipped around and headed back to my bedroom the second Harper left. I saw no reason to have to converse any more with dad.

After an hour of revising for my mid term examinations in science and going through the next allotted chapter of Romeo and Juliet, I heard my door being swung open gently.

My favourite albino popped his head into my door and sat on my bed.

I shot him a wide grin as he settled down and he gave me a small smile back on seeing that my mood wasn't too bad.

He let out a small sigh before starting, "okay so Runa, I know I haven't spoken to you properly since dad and mom announced the news and for that I'm very sorry.

It was hard for me to face your reactions to me not being your real brother but I want you to know that despite the fact that we are not related by blood, you are my little sister. My only little sister.

I don't want you to feel bad about our parents so I will take care of you if they do not. I'm already in college so once I get a decent job I can take care of you."

He ran a hand through his ash blonde hair and looked at me expectantly.

My slight frown turned upside down and I looked at him.

"I had already made a decision that you were my brother from the day I learnt the news. I realised that no matter what, you have always been there for me when mom and dad weren't. You have and I hope you will always be there." I replied.

Tears shined in his eyes.

"If only Michael Clifford could see you now, Runa. He'd flip. Cause you've got purple pants now instead. Clearly a lot better than your black ones."

We both burst into a fit of snickers.

"I'm not sure if I'm in love with any celebrity, you know."

"But if they got to know you, I'm sure they'd love you."

--

"Okay... Mr. Demenché and Miss. Lebbec, please step forward with your assignments on the French Revolution." Mr. Mahone called out.

Harper and I stepped forward and walked on to the little podium in front of the blackboard with small smiles on our faces.

"Okay so today, we are presenting a lovely assignment on the French Revolution."

"And the undertaking of Bastille." I quickly added, the students chuckling lightly at Harper's forgetfulness.

"So as you all probably know..."

--

Lunch break rolled around pretty soon.

I dragged myself out of the chemistry class, shoulders slumped with fatigue.

After history, Harper seemed to have vanished in the crowd, honestly no where to be found.

The trampling set of teenagers weened their way to the cafeteria as I cursed under my breath.

Like, hello! Stop shoving like there's no tomorrow people!

As soon as I reached the cafeteria I realised that Nyx and Della were not present that day and that I would have to sit all alone on a seat next to the dumpsters or something.

As I surveyed the café with sadness, I didn't see the porcelain wrist reaching out to grab mine.

With a soft yelp on my part, I was dragged to a little table near the centre of the food court.

I turned and looked right into a pair of brownish eyes.

"I need to get my food Harper!" I argued against his hold.

"Got yours right here." He gestured to the plate in front of me.

I sat silently reaching out for the food as he smiled at me.

"Glad you could join me on this fine afternoon, Runa."

Ughhhh all things ship-able!
They're cute together u know!
Recently I've been getting suggestions to ship Nessalynne with Caroun. Now that's by no means a bad idea but, come on! I already planned everything out with Harper! (If ur reading this, u know who u are)
Lol...
Bye...