The Bad Boys Saw Me Naked

(25)

"You need to go." She says, opening my window. "Leave now."

"I told you." I say gently. "I can't."

"What's going on Harper?" She asks, hands on her hips.

"Please just trust me." I say. "I can't go back. It's for the best." She stares at my face, trying to judge the sincerity. She's a very good judge of character, I could never get away with anything as a kid.

"I'm going to trust that you know what you're doing." She says sternly. "And you are going to tell me everything."

"I will." I assure her. "Thank you." She sighs, and hugs me.

"I've missed you Harper." She says holding me tightly.

"Me to Mum." I hug back tightly, enjoying the familiar scent of home. However I can't help but notice the also familiar scent of cigarettes and alcohol, which has been covered up slightly with air freshener. Making me feel even worse about leaving her in the first place.

"Come down for dinner in an hour." She softly. "He will want to speak to you." I nod, and she leaves, closing the door.

I sit on my bed, and sigh. Home.

<><><><>

I ignore the fifth call from Alex, and turn my phone off. The quicker I rip the bandaid the less painful for others. I decide it's time to face the music. I open my door, and when confirming that the hallway is free, I start to walk down the stairs. I stay quiet, walking past the living room, seeing my Dad still on the couch, however now Quentin sits next to him.

I walk into the kitchen, and my Mum smiles at me.

"Hi sweetie." She says, placing the bowl of mashed potato on the table. My Dad walks in, and sits down at the table, followed by Quentin, who leans in the doorway.

"So it's true." He smirks, looking right at me. "Little Miss has returned." I nod, helping my Mom with the salad. "Sit down Harper." Quentin says, pulling the chair out for me. I make eye contact with Mom, before wiping my hands, and sitting down. He sits down next to me, leaving my Mom to sit down next to Dad.

"So." Quentin starts, serving himself an unfairly large portion of ribs. "How was your little get away?"

"I was staying with a friend." I say quietly. I don't serve myself. I know the drill.

"Bullsh*t." Dad mumbles, through a mouth full of food, sauce dripping down his disgusting chin. "You were probably off f*cking some guy."

"Drew!" My Mom explains.

"I don't appreciate my daughter running around god knows where like a little slut!" He continues. "And now that you're back, that's all going to stop." He looks at me, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that right?" I nod, looking down at my plate.

"You better answer me Harper."

"Yes." I say, looking up. "It will." He nods, and serves me a plate of food, with what's left after him and Quentin.

"You go to school, and then you come home." He says, taking a swig of beer. "Your mother is working a lot more night shifts, so you can step up and help out around here."

"She's a senior Drew." Mum says. "She has a large work load. She's been doing really well in school, she-"

"I think Harper's smart enough to do both." Quentin says, staring at her. "She's a big girl."

"I don't think you have a say in my daughter's education." She spits.

"Did I say you could f*cking speak?" My Dad wonders, putting down his beer. "You better butt out." We fall into silence, and I finish my food quietly.

"Are you staying tonight Quentin?" Dad asks, serving himself yet another plate of food.

"Yeah, I think I will." He says, leaning back, resting his arm on the back of my chair. "My landlord is going to keep following me around until I pay him something." The two chuckle, and my Dad shakes his head.

"You should just stay here." He says. "The guest room is just sitting here, just move in."

"He damn well won't!" Mum spits out, putting her fork down with force. My Dad frowns, putting his fork down.

"How about you go get ready for work and I'll pretend you didn't just say that." He says lowly. She doesn't move, standing her ground. "Now." He growls. She stands up slowly, pushing her chair in.

"Harper go to your room." She says gently, as she starts to leave.

"Stay." My father interrupts, as Quentin puts his hand on my shoulder, preventing me from standing. I nod towards my Mother, telling her to go. She frowns, but leaves the kitchen.

"So." My Dad says leaning back. "Harper, I'm going to overlook this little disappearance of yours. But it is never going to happen again. Is that clear."

"Yes." I say.

"And now that Quentin is going to be staying, you will treat him with the same respect that you give me." He says.

"Ok." I tell him.

"And your mother better not get in the way." Quentin points out. "It'll just be worse for her."

"Don't punish her for something I did." I say.

"And now that you're home we won't." My Dad smirks. "Now clean up." He leaves, followed by Quentin.

Sometimes a good decision isn't so good for yourself.