Guys Our Age (Wattys2017) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Chapter 12: I Want It That Way (Hannah)

"She's my sister, Mason." I glanced back over my shoulder at her, "I'm only doing what I believe is best for her. And seeing her hurting when you got on that date with Ella is not going to sit well with me, alright?" He dropped his head.

"You-"

"Don't tell me you can't tell, Mason. She loves you, stop playing coy to this whole God damn thing. Are you really going to go on that date when she's the one you're meant to be with." His hands gripped the steering wheel, draining of color.

"Get out, Hannah." He said quietly, his eyes on the dark road ahead of us.

"Mas-"

"I said get out!" I blinked in surprise, feeling Hailey stir awake behind me. I swallowed, shaking my head and heading for the window in back. I forced it open and crawled through the small space and onto the tool box before my sister could ask any questions.

I hoped she had only been pretending to be asleep, that she had heard every word we'd said and would realize that Mason returned her feelings. But I knew that wasn't possible, she had almost slept through an entire thunderstorm multiple times. A little whispering would be the furthest thing from waking her up.

"Hey, there, sweetie!" Dad greeted me at the door as Justin's car slowed to a stop by the curb.

"Where's Ha-"

"She's in the truck." I made a gesture toward Mason's old pick-up over my shoulder, "Don't worry, Daddy. I'm sure they won't be doing anything. Ever."

*

Dad allowed Justin and Mason to stay for dinner, which was a genuine surprise to Hailey and me. He had only had Justin over once before, and it had been to meet him.

Even more surprising, he allowed Mason to use the shower in his room to clean up. Of course it stopped there, and he forced Hailey and Justin to stay in the living room while I went to shower myself.

I laid my head against the wall once I was in, shutting my eyes as the warm drops of water rolled down my cheeks. It was then, in the shower, where nobody could see me, I cried.

I cried for the mother that had been here for years, but left when we needed her the most. I cried for the mom that would be able to talk sense into Dad, to see the pain and anger that he still held in his once kind, beautiful green eyes.

The mom that would have been able to knock some sense into my sister and allow her to be the one that could be happy for once.

*

It was strange to see Dad and the boys have common ground watching an old basketball game on TV. Watching them, it seemed like maybe things would continue to go smoothly. That Dad would learn to accept that we were growing up, that I had a boyfriend and Hailey. . . and Hailey would soon.

Of course the magic had to be ruined by the game ending and Dad trying to usher the boys out of the house.

"Maybe they can spend the night?" I tried, seeing Hailey's eyes grow a fraction at the suggestion.

"No, Han-"

"Dad, please. All of us will sleep in one room so you know no funny business is going on." I felt Hailey beside me, nodding in encouragement.

"Yeah, Dad. Please! Please!" With both of us giving him the best pleading look we could, he sighed and caved in, waving his hand in the air.

"Sure. Go ahead." Hailey and I both threw our arms around his waist and hugged him.

"Thank you, Daddy!" I ducked away from my sister as Mason crossed the room to approach her. I took Justin's hand and dragged him back toward my bedroom, considering it was a little bigger than my sister's.

"Thank you." Justin whispered once we were alone, brushing a strand of my blonde hair out of my face and tucking it behind my ear, "You didn't have to do that. Your dad could have grounded you or something." I shrugged, closing the gap between us. I rested my head against his chest, letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'm tired of you getting hurt, Justin." I said.

"It's not your problem though, babe. I don't want to drag you into my issues, my life. You're the one I run to when I feel I have no way out." I pulled away when I heard Hailey's happy voice echoing through the hallway.

Justin helped me grab my mattress and set it on the floor while Hailey and Mason dragged hers in and set it sideways so it would fit.

I fell back onto my bed beside Justin, keeping my distance from my sister. I laid there, tossing and turning, hours after the three of them had fallen asleep. I kept my eyes on the roof, trying my best to clear my thoughts so I could finally get some sleep. My mind had other ideas.

"Stop." Justin grumbled, snaking his arm around my waist to keep me in place.

"Hannah, what's going on?" Justin propped himself up on his elbow, his eyes barely open, "You've been tossing and turning all night."

"I. . . I think Coach Fuller raped Sophia." I whispered.

"What?" He shook his head, eyes wide open now, "What do you mean? You can't just go around accusing-"

"Soph told me, Justin. But she said she allowed it, that he didn't force himself on to her. But I think he did. I. . . I think she's lying." He nodded, reaching over to rest his hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, Han. Just calm down, we can talk-"

"I think. . . I think I saw my mother." I lowered my voice so it was barely audible. Justin sat up, his eyes roaming my face for any sort of sign that I may be losing my mind.

"What?"

"When I was working. At Target. I. . . I don't remember a lot about her and Dad doesn't talk too much about anything relating to her. But her eyes. . . she had our eyes, Justin." He blinked a few times, my words sinking in.

"What are you going to do?" he eventually whispered, "Are you going to tell Hailey or your dad?" I shook my head, feeling my eyes stinging with tears.

"I can't. I can't do that to them. Especially if it wasn't her." He nodded, pulling me into his warm embrace a few seconds later, his face nuzzled against my neck.

"I understand. They would understand too, Han. And we. . . we can talk about Soph in the morning. Right now, you need some sleep, love. You look like you've been up for days." I buried my face against his shoulder, shaking my head again.

"I'm not good at keeping secrets, especially from Hailey." I breathed out, my voice muffled by his shoulder. He kissed the side of my head, a strained sigh leaving him.

"You always want to do what's right for her, Han. And if that's keeping everything a secret, keeping her in the dark, than so be it. Sometimes the only way to protect the people we love is to sacrifice a little of ourselves in the process."  

***AN***

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~ChasingMadness24