We Met Because Of Death

Shes Not Who She Seems

She was right next to me just like Brit had told me. Everyone was talking but all I could do was glance at her. She was even more beautiful close up but so sad. I could see it in her eyes the thing that was so familiar. I wanted to talk to her now just to see the pain in her eyes gone.Even if it was only for a minute it would be worth it to see her smile. She looks up at me and I have to hide the blush that trys to show. Haylee quickly looks down but her knee brushes against mine making me jump. I hear Brit laugh in my head and Haylee turns red. I look down feeling my own face turn red. " Austin you've barley touched your food are you not hungry?" I look up seeing everyone looking at me.    " oh I um I was just lost in thought sorry."  " He just doesn't like our food no more .Thinks he's better than us now ever since he moved and started a new life."  Everyone stiffens as my Uncle Grant walks in. He gives me a sly smile his brown hair greasy hanging over his eyes. He pulls up a chair and sits by Haylee. " Grant what are you doing here?" " I came to see Austin, you know since I haven't seen him in a few years." He starts to make a plate of food hastily. The tension in the air grows larger. Nobody has liked Grant he was my mom's brother and he only cared about himself. He was an alcohol addict and was always drunk making him aggressive and hard to be around. Dad never liked him but he put up with him at times. Grant and I had never gotten along. I never took his shit I said what was on my mind and defended myself and my family when he said something. He knew that him being here would be the way to piss me off. " So Grant how are you?" Zane trys to break the tension but I could tell he was struggling to even look at him. Grant smiles at him his mouth full of food. " I'm doing great How are you piggy?"              " Grant!" Dad yells at him his face turning red he stares at him but Grant just laughs shoving his face full of food. " Calm down Dave, he knows I'm just joking ain't that right Zane?" Zane frowns at him but nods looking down at his plate. " Zane don't let him talk to you like that." I look over at Grant who frowns at me for sticking up for him. Grant was staring to make me mad and he knew it. He was challenging me daring me to do something. I wanted to hit him but I can hear Brit tellinging me to calm down. I feel Haylee's knee lay next to mine. I look down at her she's looking at me shaking her head. I sign and let myself calm down I nod at her and she gives me a small smile. Grant chuckles " You know what you're right Austin how rude of me. I'm so sorry Zane" Zane looks up at him biting his lip but mumbles out "it's okay." Everything quiets down Dad and Claire awkwardly looking everywhere besides at Grant. Haylee just sits there playing with her food, her knee still on mine.
" So Austin how are You? It has been such a long time after all?"  " I'm fine Grant how are you?" " well I'm doing great got a new girlfriend. She's a pretty little thing. What about you gotten any since that one girl?" 
  " Grant now is not the time!"
" Oh but Dave I'm just asking my grandson a question. I mean if his mother was here she would have said far worse about that whore."
" Don't call her that!" I stand up in my chair my anger uncontrollable now .I grab a hold of his shirt and hit him hard in the mouth. He falls back in his chair and I lunge at him again. Simon grabs me pulling me back everything turning into chaos. Grant wipes his mouth and stands up glaring at me. Dad  grabs his arm
" It's time for you to go now Grant!"
" Your son just hit me and you're standing up for him! All Austin is ,is a fuck up. His mother knew it before she ran away and hell his girl friend probably knew it too but she died before she got the chance to do the same !"
My feet react before I do I fall into my seat he knew those words would hurt me. All the guilt I had and hearing him say it out loud makes my head start to spin. Grant just laughs
" Tell them Austin tell them that you're a fuck up. We both know you are!"
I just sit there not being able to say a word deep down I had always felt like that but now the words seem to be screaming at me Maybe I was worthless.  "Austin don't think like that don't let him get to you" I  could hear Brittany's worried voice but the thoughts are far to much stronger.  All the memories of my mom yelling at me telling me I was nothing but a waste of her time. Then her gone there wasn't  even a goodbye she ...just left.  My mom leaving me the woman I loved gone all because I wasn't good enough all because I couldn't stop them.
" Grant that's enough!" Everything stops everything quiet , almost like time just stood in place and all I can see is Haylee. She's standing up starring at Grant. Everyone seems shocked, Haylee hadn't said a word since she arrived here and now she was standing up for me?
" You have no right to be here! Has it ever occur to you that maybe it's you who's  the fuck up! Their mother leaving and Austin losing his girlfriend was not his fault. He loved them both. After what he has been through he's not even close to that he's strong and he should know that." Haylee turns to look at me. All I'm able to do is stare back her faces softens but then goes stiff again. She looks back at Grant "You on the other hand you do nothing but drink and look like shit half the time. You make everyone feel worthless but in reality it's actually you!" 
Grant's face goes red everyone else still looks shocked all of them stareing at her. Grant pulls away from Dad and walks up to Haylee. I jump up and step in front of her Simon next to me. Grant points at her knowing that she could see him. 
" You better watch your mouth you don't know who your talking to. If I were you I'd be watching your back it'd be a shame to end up like that boyfriend of yours."
I hear Haylee gasps and Dave grabs Grant shoving him out.         " Don't you ever threaten her again, you get out of my house right now!"
Grant stands in the doorway all of a sudden a plate standing on a cabinet falls and drops on his head. Grant yells holding his head I can't help but laugh.
" That's what you deserve for treating her like that! Now I'm sure my dad has asked you to leave."
Grant growls and storms out of the house. Relief hits me and instantly the room feels brighter. I chuckle as the image of the plate falling on his head plays through again.
       " Max did that."
Did he really?
" He didn't like what he said to Haylee." 
At the mention of her name I  turn and look at her she stands behind me still. Her face is blank her eyes the only thing showing emotion. I reach out and left her face up she looks at me tears starting glisten in her eyes. I feel my heart break.
" Haylee he's gone now it's okay don't believe what he said he will never hurt you. "
          " I have to go."
Haylee slips away from my hand and runs out the door I head after her calling her name but she never stops.      
" Austin no give her time Max will take care of her." 
Where is she going?
" Max says she's going to the field behind her house it's where she always goes."
" Austin she won't listen to me I've tried you're gonna have to go after her."
Max' s voice sounds worried and I knew he was feeling the same way I did. We were both afraid of what she would do.
" Her house is the big blue one two blocks down you cant miss it follow the trail and you'll find her by a willow tree."
I don't even hesitate to run down the street, Haylee needed me. I had to get to her.