Reforget [h.s]

One

Olivia Harding

It all started by my brother.

Yes, I meant to say 'by.'

He was normally the bad-ass troublemaker anyway. In this case, it wasn't really one of those moments you laugh at later on when it becomes funny, like the times when you were little. This was serious. Everyone strived to forget that day in high school.

My brother was a year and a half older than me, but failed a school year, so, he got held back. He was still a grade above me, but basically carried himself as a man. Although he was very immature and boyish at times, he never failed to protect me. When our parents died in a car accident when I was little, Jake stepped up. We were taken in by our uncle James after that. He never really paid much attention to us though. He made sure we were accounted for and had everything we needed but that was it. He was a single bachelor in New York City, so of course, he had better things to acquire his time with. What else did you expect?

I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into, though. He never had kids, so I doubt he even knew how to take care of us. He used to tell me that he was 'taking it day by day,' and that 'we would get through it together.' I knew he knew how hard it was for both of us after they died. Don't mistake him for a bad uncle though. He is the best uncle a kid could ask for.

In high school, Jake looked out for me. After all, I was his only sister and family member really. I wasn't popular but everyone knew who I was. They knew not to mess with me because of Jake. Jake and his side kick Harry were inseparable during those times. If Jake was in trouble, Harry was right beside him, and visa versa.

There was also another boy that I remember seeing a lot of in high school too. Reggie. Wherever Reggie was, there was Derek. They were brothers. My junior year they were all four inseparable as well. Jake would take me right home after school while he and his three amigos would go off and cause ruckus in the streets of New York. My uncle and I had no idea what they were up to, but Jake would come home every night around seven o'clock for dinner and that would be the end of the discussion.

Jake and my uncle argued frequently. I would lock myself in my room during them and just read to myself. Harry was at our house frequently as well. He and Jake would stay up all hours of the night in his room. After they graduated, they both got a job at the same coffee shop. Although Jake didn't work that many hours, he always brought home enough money to help our uncle pay for the bills. I won't act naive; I know where the extra money came from. Even after Jake graduated, I would still see him around campus, selling. I don't think he knew that I knew what he was up to either. He kept it a secret.

Jake was a smart boy, I figured if he was keeping it from me, then there was a probable reason behind it. Upon seeing him around the school campus, I did my own thing my senior year. I focused on my studies. I wanted so badly to become a teacher. To live a normal life and forget my past. I wanted to grow up with a normal husband and job, and to have the ideal amount of kids. We could go on vacations and family date nights. The only thing missing would be my parents.

++++

As I threw my gown over my head and let it fall around my slim figure, I stepped over to my mirror. I fixed my blonde hair and placed my cap on top of my curly head. I took a second to fix my make-up and do one last check straightening up my room and outfit before I grabbed my purse and wedges and left my room. My life was a mess but my room didn't have to be.

"My, my, you look beautiful, Olivia!" my uncle fawned. I sent him a smile and walked to the sofa to sit and strap on my shoes.

"Where is Jake, we need to leave soon," I huffed. I knew of all days, he wasn't picking today to be late.