The Infamous Levi Privet

Seven.

Just when I think my life can't get any worse.

"Honey, we need to have a little chat," Lindy's voice is quiet and shaken. She sounds on the verge of tears. Her hands fiddle with a stray piece of cotton at the bottom of her shirt and she struggles to bring her eyes to mine.

I take a seat in front of her. She's in her favourite armchair where she normally relaxes, but this morning she seems anything but.

I sit patiently. Obviously whatever it is is a big deal for her. I briefly wonder if she's going to kick me out. Maybe this small town is already catching up on me and rumours have started spreading. Maybe Finn has told her of all my wrongdoings that I have done in the past few weeks that I have lived here. I brace myself for the fallout.

"I'm not quite sure how to put this, and I'm so sorry if this comes across wrong," she starts. "I got a call early this morning. Early, early this morning. I debated waking you up but I just didn't want you to worry or anything,"

I start to tune out. Lindy is waffling and her 'little chat' is going nowhere. She starts to sense my impatience.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is," she pauses. "I'm so sorry. It's your mum and dad. Your parents are dead."

I freeze, not sure I quite heard what she said. A loud, piercing ringing noise echoes through my ears and I feel the walls start to move closer. My temples seem to be soaked out of nowhere and my hands are wet with sweat. All colour drains from my face. I can't breathe, I can't see.

Lindy is on her feet now and standing next to me. She's rubbing my back but I'm so numb I can't feel it.

"Finn! Finn!" she calls.

I try to stand up. My balance is gone and I wobble, grabbing onto the side of the couch to steady myself.

Finn comes to his mother's aid, it's obvious he has no idea what is going on. He thinks I'm having another episode. He tries to wrap my arm around his neck to be my anchor.

"Don't touch me!" I bark. My emotions are all over the show. My parents are gone. There were many times I had wished for something like this, but I never thought for a second that it would happen.

"Hey, hey it's okay calm down,"

My entire body fills with rage. I see red. I look Finn straight in the face, the fire in my eyes is like never before.

"Calm down? Calm down? My parents are dead."

I shake myself from Finn's grip. I can tell he is shocked, he stands like a statue, frozen. Lindy has collapsed into a sobbing mess. I storm upstairs, my head a cyclone of rage, sadness, shock, and regret. I'm not sure how to feel.

I grab my suitcase out of the wardrobe and begin to shovel all of my belongings in. My tears fall hard and fast, feeling hot against my face. I don't grab everything, but I grab a lot. I zip up my suitcase and storm back downstairs, suitcase in tow.

Finn is comforting Lindy as I go passed. He sees me, my face and my suitcase and gets up to follow after me.

"Vi! Vi, please."

I ignore him, heading straight out the door and toward his truck. I throw my things on the back deck and turn to face Finn. He has followed me out.

"Take me to the airport," I demand. The tears are threatening again. Finn tries to speak but nothing comes out. "You want to help me? Take me to the airport!" I'm surprised at how angry my voice sounds.

Finn stays silent and shakes his head.

I rip my phone out of my pocket and begin to find Jake's name.