I Dare You

Six

"Gemma."

No-

Why was she here?

How did she know Harry was here?

"Harry." Gemma's voice confirmed.

"Gemma go home-" "No. Not till we talk. I knew you would be here."

"Don't tell mum-" "I won't." Harry sighed of relief.

"If,"

If?-

"You talk to me. Please." Harry couldn't let his mum know he was at Jasmine's house. Harry couldn't go home, he didn't want to go home. He was so much happier here.

"I'll leave you two alone." Jasmine stood from the recliner and went into her bedroom.

It was silent until they heard the bedroom door shut, and then Harry blew up.

"I said I didn't want to talk to you." Harry spit.

"Listen- please. Look, I'm so sorry about what happened with Josh. It was all my fault. Look, I'm paying for the repair so you don't have to okay? Mum and Josh both think you've been at a friends house all this week- I've been covering for you. I'm really sorry, really really sorry. Okay?"

"What are you trying to say?" Harry asked.

Gemma sighed and ran a hand through her messy hair.

"Look- you've gotta come home for a couple nights."

"No."

"Harry please- I need you there." Gemma stood from the couch now.

"No you don't. Why should I do anything for you anymore?"

"Because your my brother! I'm your sister! I don't care what happened okay! I said I was sorry! I meant it now can we move on!"

"You basically told him to beat me! You are a spoiled little brat and you ruined my life!" Harry yelled back.

"Alex is coming back to visit!" She blurted out, covering her mouth and stepping back as she fell into the couch, crying.

"What?"

"He's coming to visit from tomorrow night until Tuesday. Please Harry- I promise I won't ever let that happen again. Please- I need you there because of Alex.

If he can take your room and you can stay in mine with me, just so I know he won't-" she paused to cry, head in her hands while she sobbed.

Harry stood there, confused and upset.

He felt guilty for yelling at her now. He should be there to make sure he didn't try anything.

"I have a great boyfriend now- I just. I don't want him to-" she paused and sniffed her nose, "Not again." She finished.

"Thank you, Gemma. For covering for me. I'll be there." Harry assured his sister.

She stood up and brought him in for a bone crushing hug- even when she was tired and worn down from crying her hugs still managed to squeeze Harry's bones.

"See ya tomorrow night then?" Harry said awkwardly.

"He said He'll be here by noon, but it's not certain. Once you wake up can you just call me and I'll drive us back home?"

"Stick with Mum."

"She's working until 7 tomorrow. And Josh is working too, so he'll be alone with me at the house if you aren't there. Mum and Josh both got Sunday and Monday off for work so- I should be okay those days. I just can't be left alone with him."