Gabriel: Prequel

twenty two

[ harper's pov]

Bullets spring back from the target as they fall near the target, ringing a loud clashing sound around the empty outside. 

"Your aim is terrible today," Rehan comments, trying to aim better but still failing more than I am.

I take off the silencing headphones, running my hand through the short length of my hair, "Yeah, I am a little stressed, actually. I just have some shit to sort out today - my mom, I guess."  At the mention of her, he grimaces. I had only told them limited information about my life, about all the shit I had to do to get here, but from what they did know, they always showed their sympathy. 

"Want some company?" His eyes softens as he asks. Instinctively, I want to insult him and decline his offer, but I think better of it. 

Gabe said he had errands to run, and I didn't bother questioning them, so I am on my own. Not quite, actually. I nod and we begin our journey down the route of dread, past the orange blossom and the looming memories that linger at her house, ready to ambush us once again. He stands beside the door, expecting me to know but I shove past the door, letting him follow behind. I remember that the chances of her being alone are slim and cringe, feeling a sort of shame that I know she doesn't have herself. Briefly, I debate whether to let him witness it or keep him outside, but I let him see, anyway. 

Sure enough, another, unfamiliar man groans as we push through the door to her room as he gets up, putting on his clothes in a rush to get out. The sight of him, however, keeps me light on my feet as I initially expected Axel and his smug ass in her bed, weaving around her trust as he calls her sweet names, tightening the leash around her neck. 

My mom stops her lover, turning her anger towards me, "Why are you here?"

"I think we should talk, mom."

"Talk."

The iciness of her tone slithers around the room, visibly putting the other two at discomfort. "I know that you've been seeing a guy called Axel. Normally, I'd let you do your shit and ruin your life, but not with him. He's a fucking psychopath and he's going to screw you over if you don't listen." I sit on the bed, about to reach my hand out in a bid to make her listen but she stands up sharpish, her greyish eyes darkening. 

"This is a new low for you."

"Mom?" 

"You want that legacy fund that much? You don't want Griff to even touch that money, do you? Trying to dictate who I see whilst you skipped town with some boytoy. You don't think I know? I do, Harper," she points a finger in my direction, her face smoothed in anger, "You're acting like no daughter of mine - more like a whore."

Although that word has been thrown at me countless times, this time, my body freezes. It feels more cheap and dirty coming from her mouth as disgust laces itself around the word and her face, as if I'm something pulled from the street. It stings, razor sharp, more than it has from anyone else. 

"His name is Gabriel. He isn't a boytoy, either. He's fucking great - he makes me happy. You wouldn't even know how that feels, would you?" The hurt transforms to bitterness as I stand up, glaring down at her.

"Harper." Rehan warns, attempting to get me away. Obviously, this conversation is pointless. Her lack of belief in me doesn't come as a surprise. "Let's go." He touches my wrist before dragging me away but stops as my mom calls me.

"Turn around," she calls as her gaze shifts lower to my stomach, looking up passively.  "Axel warned me of this."

"What are you talking about?"

"This," she waves her hand in my direction and I feel Rehan stiffen beside me, "He told me you're pregnant at this age and that you'd make some crap up. He's right: you engaged in whorish shit and now you're pregnant! For money, as well."

My body tenses in shock and I'm unable to respond. Words float by in my head, refusing to come out of my mouth as I stand in fury, and I clench my fists. About to curse her out, she digs in her drawer and grasps some bills, throwing them at me in sheer disgust. "Take it and go." The paper hitting me hurts more than it should. She's not putting up an act of a bad mother, she's living it. Time and time again, I reluctantly forgave her for all the shit she put me through but as she degrades and humiliates me, I make a silent promise to not come back. Shame burns at the back of my throat and I turn around, not even daring to exhale until we both storm out of the front door.

"Fuck you," I whisper as we leave, anger and embarrassment pulsing through me. 

"You don't need her," Rehan pats my arm, offering a small smile. 

"I don't wanna talk about it. Mention it to anyone and I won't hesitate to ice you out like that," I warn, staring ahead at the open road. 

"I get it, though. My family can suck ass."

"Let's fix it, then. We tried to sort out my shit one, so let's do you." He interjects quickly but eventually, he leads me to his house. More like a manor. A large house towers over us as we near the brass knocker on the door, countless floors mock us from up above. We knock numerous times and shout for anyone to open but it never does. Immediately, I feel bad. At least I get a rejection and confrontation from my mom, but Rehan gets nothing. In some ways, that's worse. He stews in silence and anger, I guess, and doesn't get an outlet. Feeling apologetic for dragging him into it, I pull him on our way home. We settle in a pity party silence, neither of us daring to bring up the day.

"What are you naming the baby?" He suddenly asks.

"We don't have a name, yet. Maybe Mistake."

Rehan scoffs, nearing closer to me as we start to speak. Scarce streetlights light up our way home as the only noise around is a soft buzz.

"Can I make a suggestion?"

"If it's stupid, I'm not taking it. Knowing you, there's a high chance it'll be a shit name."

"Aubrey. I've always kind of liked it."

"Oh, yeah? Why? A million bucks says you have a shitty explanation," I mock, lightly shoving into him.

"Whatever. It's just...I like fantasy, right? When I was younger, I hated that I was a feeble boy in the real world, and I remember I read this book about these elves, and," he pauses to glare at me as I fake yawn but continues, "These elves were powerful and never took shit from anyone. There was this elf called Aubrey and they never took shit from anyone, they were just powerful and mighty despite being the youngest elf. Made me want to be like them. I googled it and, yeah, the definition is pretyy much the same."

"You want me to name my kid after an elf? Weird fuck."

The dim light manages to capture his grin as we continue to walk as he shoves into me, "So, that's a yes?"

"It's a maybe."

"A maybe will do."