1:55 | h.s

Chapter Four

"Where's Dad?" I asked, leaning my elbows on the counter to watch my mother chop mushrooms for the soup.

"Working late tonight."

We were silent, the rhythm of the knife's thud the only sound that filled the kitchen.

At some point, I grew up and I understood that there was no point in questioning her lies anymore. Because I was guilty of the exact same thing.

"Can I go out tonight?"

"Out where?" The mushrooms slid into the pot, replaced by a carrot on the cutting board.

"To Brian's."

"When will you be home?"

"Midnight."

The knife, thud-thud-thudded. And then she dropped the carrots into the pot and looked up at me.

"Will you drive safely?"

I stared right into her brown eyes before answering.

"I always have Mom."

Brian was a safe haven. My father liked him; he was athletic smart and had an uncanny ability to overlook.

If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have been allowed the distraction of a boyfriend. And Brian knew it.

"Come on Brian, not here."

Ignoring my plea, Brian pressed me up against the side of the house.

I looked up towards the moon, partially hidden behind wispy clouds. A silent onlooker.

"Brian." I pushed at his wandering hands. He was taller, stronger, more determined.

Inside someone laughed loudly and a door slammed. I could smell Brian's aftershave; it was chemical in the fresh night air.

"Let me go please."

Suddenly Brian stumbled away and for a second, I thought; I did it. I managed to finally do something.

And then I saw the person who knocked into Brian. He smiled lopsidedly, a dimple popping into his left cheek.

"So sorry I was looking for the bathroom."

"Outside?" Brian snapped.

"As nature intended." Harry grinned, lifting his hands in mock innocence.

A scream sliced through the air and then glass shattered. We all looked towards the partially opened slide-doors.

"How mad do you think Daddy would be if his TV got broken?" Harry mused in mock thoughtfulness. Brian cursed, purposefully shouldering Harry on his way inside.

"You're welcome."

"I didn't thank you." I snapped, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my hoodie.

"You should, it would be the polite thing to do."

Flustered and embarrassed I messed with my hair, untying the braids so the long strands could hide my face.

"Why are you here?"

"Free booze." He smiled, taking two long strides until he was standing beside me.

"You don't look drunk."

"The night's still young."

We fell into silence. Harry's body radiated a comfortable heat, almost begging me to lean into him.

Suddenly he shifted, leaning with his shoulder on the wall so he could face me. I didn't move.

"Why are you here?"

"Brian's my boyfriend."

Harry hummed like he was thinking. His hand lifted, fingers toying with the ends of my hair.

I didn't move.

"You're just a glutton for punishment, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth to object, but never got that far. Bodies spilt from the door and we jumped apart on instinct.

Reese clearly stood out as the leader of the small group. Tall and lean, she had every advantage over me in every competition.

"Darling Emily. I heard you won your first race."

"It was a pity win." A boy piped in from the group.

It was perfectly staged. Intimidation is the enemy; it can cost you more than you think.

"I'm still in recovery."

Reese laughed loudly, stealing a beer cup from the girl beside her.

"If you wanted to run slower all you had to do was say so. You didn't have to fake an injury." She sipped from the cup, haughty and arrogant.

My face burned bright in the dark, so many eyes watching me, judging me.

I didn't dare drop my head, but I lengthened my strides to get back inside the house. Walk away. You don't deserve this.

Lies, lies, lies.

"Oh, don't run away little mouse." She called after me.

It was silent inside my car. The leather of the steering wheel creaked beneath my hands. I focused on slowing down my rapid heart rate.

Inhale.

Exhale.

A knock to my window threw off my calm breathing completely.

Harry.

"What?" I huffed in exaggeration. He motioned with two fingers, waiting while I rolled down the window.

"Where are you heading?"

My eyes found the clock on my dashboard. 21:51.

It was still too early to go home; it was Friday and my father was working late. I had to bide my time.

"Can I take you somewhere?" Harry asked when I failed to answer.

Inside Brian's house, someone turned on music. It was loud, the bass from inside rattling my car all the way where it was parked outside.

"Yes."