We Belong

Connection

Do you know what this is
No, I don't
But whatever it is
It's very powerful
Have you felt this way before
Oh, I thought I knew
Do you know that I love you now
Oh yes, I do

______________________________________

"They did what?!"

Millie and Paige jumped at the sudden outburst, a loud "thump" sound erupting after, their eyes both widening in alarm.

Whatever Charlie had said was making their father rage and Millie's body began to shake. She hated this. Hated having to deal with her dad when he let his anger consume him. He'd scream and lecture her about her duties and responsibilities and how disappointing she was. He'd keep it up and keep it up, beating her down with cruel demands and thoughtless words that made her want to die inside.

Millie wanted to run away... run away and never look back. But I can't do that. I have to be strong. I promised Finn I would be fine.

Paige studied her younger sister, noting how pale she'd become and it hurt her heart. She reached out to rest her hand on the shaking girl's shoulder, her voice soft as she spoke, "Hey... I know you're scared, but you need to be strong, Mills. Don't let him push you around. And don't take his words to heart."

Easier said than done. Millie thought. "I can't help it, Paige. He... he scares me when he gets like this."

"I know," the older girl murmured. "He can be a bastard, but he's still our father."

The door to the study opened and the girls turned, watching as a red faced Charlie stalked out into the entryway. He threw a quick glare at his sisters before stomping up the staircase and escaping to his room.

Millie peered through the open doorway where her father stood, his expression a silent command of "get in here" and she shuffled forward, trying to keep her back straight even as she wanted to curl up into a ball and hide.

"Shut the door," Robert growled and she complied, standing still as her father began to pace, his eyes dark as he pointed to his left. "Sit down."

She obeyed, sinking into the brown leather chair, facial muscles twitching as she watched her father continued pacing back and forth, his tone as terse as his expression as he spat out,

"Charlie tells me you were snogging with that Wolfhard Boy. Is that true?"

She shook her head at his question, her voice coming out squeaky as she answered, "We weren't..."

Fear shot through her veins, running roughshod over her rapidly fleeing confidence as her father lunged forward, his tall, imposing form suddenly looming over her as he snapped,

"Don't lie to me!"

She shrank further into the chair, tears already springing to her eyes. Be strong! her inner voice demanded. Don't let him intimidate you! "I'm not lying!" Millie shouted, defending herself. "All we did was hold hands! No kissing was involved!"

Robert's eyes narrowed though he pulled back a bit. "So you were just holding hands in a 'shared' trailer unsupervised and nothing happened? Your brother was lying, is that what you're saying?"

"I don't know what Charlie thought he saw but we weren't making out. We were just going over our lines and practicing as we always do. That's it," she lied smoothly enough that her father backed away.

Robert stalked over to the black leather chair tucked into the mahogany desk, grabbing then yanking it out before sitting down. He had a lot riding on his daughter's success and he had to make sure nothing derailed his plans.