Fighting For Hope

Chapter Twenty Four

"The best thing about the worst time of your life is that you get to see the true colours of everyone you cared for."

—

TYLER'S POV

Footsteps reverberated in the room as she dismissed herself for a break from the video. I know it must be tough to uncover the truth years after her father died. She witnessed the murder of someone exceptionally close to her and kept it to herself for years.

I stood from the couch and moved towards the television, almost turning it off when a brilliant light flashed, followed by the familiar face coming back into the screen.

"I have one more thing I'd like to add," he said, clearing his throat. "It's about your Uncle Clyde. Remember when I said he's using lies to cover the truth? He has a rather fantastic relationship with this generous man, one he doesn't deserve to call a friend. My brother and I still communicate as siblings at times, although I have every reason to despise him for being imprudent. I need to get this out of my chest." He sighed, looking down at his fidgeting hands.

"On a sleepless night, he told me about his plan to betray that best friend of his. With a straight face, he announced that he wanted to stab that friend from behind when he isn't looking."

I should not be listening to this without the presence of Hope, but there was so much information she had to digest, I considered keeping it a secret. Perhaps she might watch the video again when she has fewer problems weighing her shoulders. She was just eighteen, for God's sake.

**

"I don't understand why you'd keep this from me," Hope snarled after I explained the rest of the information she should have known days ago.

"You were dealing with too much."

"I deal with problems every day!" she snapped. In a frustrated motion, she pushed the door open and left the car. I frowned, viewing as she disappeared from my sight.

I wanted to sprint after her but decided to give her space. With an uneasy weight in my chest, I climbed out and strolled towards the entrance of the school. I approached them while Hope was having a conversation with Josh.

"Have you seen Gray?" I asked him as I realized he was nowhere to be seen. He would typically be the earliest or come to school with Josh.

"I tried calling him tons of times. I even dropped by his house to find no one. I thought he had made his way to school before I did," Josh explained, dismissing the subject rather quickly. "I'm certain he's just with his mother."

I nodded. The small fights with Gray's parents continually resolved. They are the most significant part of his life.

Hope was undoubtedly ignoring me. She grabbed a few books from inside her locker and then slammed it shut. She flashed Josh a smile before walking off.

"What did you do to her?" he mused. "She's quite an adventure. I remembered angering her once when we were kids. She landed me in some serious trouble."

I looked at him with a quirked eyebrow. But I did expect Hope to be ruthless and tactful growing up; someone who didn't need to be protected by others because she had herself.

**

I tried starting a conversation when we had a class together and was gleeful to receive a reply. Hope gave me a chance to explain, but they were already voiced.

"I know you should've known this before anyone since the message was for you. Look, I'll do anything to make it up to you," I suggested, relieved when she pondered before nodding.