Nameless // h.s. au

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

*Hunter*

Before I have a chance to protest or respond in any way my ringtone fills the air and for once in my life I feel obligated to go get it because this is some sort of cosmic sign. Well it would be if I believed in that, but for some reason I decided to tuck my phone in my back pocket instead of throwing it in my bag like usual. It's a fucking sign.

I'm scraping and reaching to find my mind and remember why I shouldn't be here with Harry. I shouldn't be here again. Not again.

I scramble to reach the way too expensive bank account draining apple product that makes my heart drop to my stomach.

Lillian.

"Hunter? Hunter are you there?" It's been two years since I've seen her. A year and a half since I've heard her voice. She never calls, but neither do I.

"I'm here Lillian what's wrong?"

"When are you coming home?"

"Lil-,"

"No you always have an excuse. When are you coming home?"

"Stop acting like a brat. I'll come home when I can, I have work and-,"

"And, and, and- you always have an and, an infinite list of things to do and people to see while you have no idea what's going on around you. You left when I was ten and you haven't been back since I was twelve. I'm fourteen. I'm a freshman and mom- she's- you- ugh fuck!" She's crying now. The kind of crying where your eyes are sore for days and your chest heaves and your temples ache. But I can't think about that now because I'm standing naked in my boss's office with my hysterical estranged sister on the phone who's swearing and crying.

"Hey- watch it Lillian." I'm such a fucking hypocrite but hearing my baby sister swear is freaking me out and on top of the entire situation I can't find anything else to say.

"No! You don't get to do that! I can say what I want you're not my mom!" Because our mom is a manipulative psycho so I left. But I would never tell self- obsessed Lillian that because mom is more of a Lillian type of woman herself.

"I didn't mean-,"

"You never came back. And you have no idea what you're doing. She's dying Hunter! Dying and you don't even care!"

"What?"

The remnants of my shredded heart spill from my chest.

Before I can muster up any type of response she ends the call. One simple click and everything's over. She's dying. She's dying. She's dying. I used to wish for her death. I would sit in my room and pray to a god I don't believe in to take my mother out the equation. But now I feel numb.

"Hunter? Hunter- are you-,"

"I have to go." I speak quickly as I shake away my etcha-sketch mind that has become that one etcha-sketch in the bin that got stepped on and broken. The clothes that are as scattered as I am are pulled on quickly and my heart is beating so loudly in my ears that Harry's voice calling my name is nothing but white noise.

My shirt is pulled over my head and my feet are shoved into my untied combat boots as I walk towards the door.

"Hunter what's going on?" Hands that were a minute away from causing me immense pleasure feel like nothing as he pulls me back to face him.