How Living with the Bad Boy Saved My Life

Chapter Thirty One

Tom, Jamie and I stood staring at each other for what felt like five minutes. Once I had shook myself out of my state of bewilderment I managed to begin walking away from them. They were the last people I wanted to see. Although, in a weird way, they helped everything unfold and my dad would not be where he is now if it was not for them attempting to expose me.

Was I supposed to grateful? I inwardly scoffed. No matter the end results of their actions, their intentions were never pure. They set out to hurt me from the beginning and there was no way that I could forgive that.

"Wait" Tom called after me.

As expected, I didn't listen and continued walking away from them. I picked up my pace but they were faster than me. There was no use running away from them, they wanted to speak so speak to them I would. I raised a questioning eyebrow at them both as they stared at me open mouthed. They were the ones "chasing" me after all. I opened my mouth to speak to ask what the hell they wanted from me but Tom beat me to it.

"We just want to talk to you for five minutes" he uttered.

"I don't have five minutes" I sighed.

"Please, Harper" he begged. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. It made me quite sad that a year ago Tom and I were good friends and now this is how our relationship turned out. I looked over at Jamie who was looking at me ashamedly. That's right, Jamie, you should be ashamed of yourself! There is nothing their guilt could do to take away the embarrassment I felt that night

I thought momentarily about hearing them out and I desperately wanted to run back home but I just simply nodded encouraging Tom to continue.

"Can we go somewhere a bit more private to speak?" Tom suggested.

I gave him an "are you mad" kind of look. Does this idiot really think that I want to be alone somewhere with him and Jamie? I actually let out a bitter laugh and rolled my eyes at him. "Are you for real?" I spat.

"Tom, you idiot! Let's just go for coffee then we're in public" Jamie suggested finally mustering up the courage to open his mouth.

"Fine" I said through gritted teeth and began walking expecting them to follow me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see they still had not moved.

"I've got my car" Jamie said dangling his car keys in the air.

"Good for you" I spat sarcastically. I then proceeded to walk with the two of them closely followed behind me. There was not a hope in hell I would allow myself to get in the car with both of them on my own. I felt stupid for even obliging to speak with them but part of me truly believed that Tom at least would feel guilty for what he did. Jamie, I'm not so sure.

We walked for around five minutes in silence. Me in front with Jamie and Tom side by side behind me. Occasionally I heard them exchange a quiet whisper but I could never actually make out what they were saying. Frankly, I did not care. I knew it was about me since they were whispering but what they think about me is not any of my business. Over the years I have came to learn that what other people think of you does not matter. That is what I was using to get me through this torturous walk right now.

Eventually, we stopped at a Starbucks. The three of us quietly entered. I contemplated ordering something but I knew that would prolong my visit here so I took a seat at one of the round tables next to the store window. That way people could see me and if anything were to happen, I could quickly flag down help. Not that either of them had ever physically tried to hurt me before but the anger they showed that night told me that their aggression could potentially grow. It was better to be safe than sorry so I gladly sat next to the window.