Her Savior

Chapter 7

*Harper's POV*

I can’t help but think that I might be stuck in this life of limbo forever. Just when I think I have a chance at overcoming every obstacle thrown my way, I keep getting dragged down even further. It’s hard not to want to give up when things feel so far out of reach. I feel so helpless and I don’t know what to do anymore... I could try to convince my dad to reconsider taking my portion of the money, but I disregarded that thought immediately, knowing that would never work. He would never do anything for me unless it also benefited him. Not anymore anyway. . .

Maybe I could get a job and save up as much as I can for college and a place all on my own. I could also possibly qualify for financial aid, which only brings me sadness thinking about why I would even qualify. I wouldn't if it were still a two-income household...But knowing my mom, she would want me to do anything I can to make my dreams come true.

I keep thinking of ways to continue my dream and my mom’s legacy when I’m ripped from my thoughts as the door to the attic opens. The very familiar feeling of fear buried deep within my chest begins to cloud around my heart, halting my breathing. I move to a seated position and attempt to calm myself. I see Tyler and Cole walk through the door and I know they can’t be here for anything good. . .

I slid back on my bed until I met the bed post, eyes swollen from crying, shaking and terrified, waiting for their next move.

They seem to be studying me, enjoying the pained look on my face as they move to the foot of the bed. The silence is deafening. I’m not sure how much more of it I can take, but I don’t dare speak first as challenging their presence could only make it worse for me. Finally, Tyler is the first to break the silence.

“Did you forget about our deal?” He questioned, disregarding my sensitive state. My mind is so clouded with a plethora of emotions that I almost forgot what I agreed to earlier. My memory catches us, remembering lunchtime. Is he already coming to collect? They must really enjoy seeing me miserable. . .I can’t completely fault them for that. If only I had let my mom drive that day. . .I can't help but think that if I had changed even one decision that day, all of this wouldn’t be happening. . .

“N-no” I said, my voice wavering. I know I would regret agreeing to this, but I honestly had no choice. I was more terrified of dad finding out about me making new friends. A male friend at that. . .

“Good, then I need you to go clean my room.” He stated calmly, which made my heart race even more. He was the most unpredictable and scary when he was calm. He was a lot like dad that way.

I stared down at my hands, unable to move. I should have expected this. They would never leave me alone even once, especially after dad's most recent way of making my life hell. When I couldn’t force my mouth to cooperate and respond to his command, he was getting visibly impatient.

“Hello!? Are you deaf!?” He asked, raising his voice as he stepped closer to me.

I shook my head. “No. . .” I responded in a small voice, almost a whisper. My breath hitches as I try to catch my bearings.

“Then get going! I’m not going to ask you again.” He stated, in total control.

“Unless. . .you would rather me tell dad about your new friend?” Tyler adds, revealing a sly smile. I instantly shake my head as a newfound fear consumes me.

“N-no, p-please! I’ll do it.” I spoke, making my way to the door without further hesitation. His smug look tells me he knows exactly what to say to get to me.

“Good, and it better be spotless” he warned, as he and Cole followed after me. I made my way to his bedroom on the second floor, and I was shocked to see that his room looked like it had been hit by multiple tornadoes. Clothes are hanging out of the drawers, stuff is scattered all over the floor, trash is spilling out of the trash can, empty beer bottles everywhere, and there is a powerful smell of body odor wafting around the room. I can’t believe he can live like this. I nearly gagged as I began cleaning.

I work fast to clean his room with both Tyler and Cole watching my every move. I am just waiting for them to critique every little thing I am doing wrong. As if being stripped of my mom’s wishes wasn’t enough. . .He had to rub it in and make my life even worse. I wipe the tears from my eyes as I finish making his bed, folding his clean clothes from the laundry basket, and vacuuming the floor. The process continually gets slowed down when Cole and Tyler take turns ruining things I’ve cleaned or criticizing the way I cleaned something and have me redo it.

“Come here.” Cole demanded in an annoyed tone.

My heart sinks as I walk over to where he is, wondering what I did wrong. I briefly looked to Tyler for help, but he gave no indication he would provide me with any.

I bow my head, body trembling, as I slowly walk towards where Cole is standing. He instantly grabs me by the back of the neck and drags me over to the dresser. I wince, but follow his direction. He forces my head down, inches away from the top of the dresser.

“Does this look clean to you!?” He yelled as he swiped his finger across the top of the dresser to indicate a collection of dust.

“I’m s-sorry” I said, wincing from the pressure of his fingers embedded in my neck.

He slams my face down hard on the dresser, forcing me to hit my forehead hard on the dresser. He shoved my back hard to the floor, causing me to hold my face as tears flooded my face.

“Do it again.” He demanded.

Wiping my tears, I slowly made my way to my feet to dust the dresser again. I took a moment to double-check everything in order to prevent me from enduring another punishment from either one of them.

After they seemed to accept my work in Tyler’s room, I bowed my head and quickly turned to exit before they changed their minds.

“Oh and Harper. . .” Tyler called after me, forcing me to turn around to look at him.

He handed me a stack of papers and I looked at him with an inquisitive glance.

“It’s my homework. . .and it all needs to be done by Monday.” Tyler announced with a cheesy grin.

I hated myself at that moment for letting him play me like this. Maybe I should just let dad find out about Dawson. . . It’s not like he can prevent me from hanging out with people forever. . .

I instantly put the thought out of my mind, knowing that would not go over well.

I make my way back to my space in the attic to work on homework before turning in for the night. I started with Tyler’s first and finally made my way to mine. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock, realizing it was past 2am. I find a stopping point and decide to turn in for the night.

The next morning, I made sure to rise before anyone else and started working on my chores for the day before I started breakfast. I am dragging from staying up late doing Tyler’s homework. I managed to finish all of his assignments and place them on his dresser in his room.

I enjoyed the hours of daylight I had to myself before Tyler and Cole eventually walked downstairs. It seems like Cole stays over here more than he sleeps in his own house. Dad usually sleeps in until 10am on the weekends, so that’s our normal time for breakfast. I’m working on bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast when Tyler and Cole come into the kitchen. I handed them both a water bottle and a glass of orange juice to start their day.

“I left y-your homework on your. . . dresser.” I informed Tyler. He nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yep, I got it” he said nonchalantly, walking in my direction. “Thanks, princess,” he replied sarcastically as he proceeded to pat me on the head like a dog. I hated it when he did that. How degrading... But of course, that was the intention. I try to shake it off and not let it bother me.

I plate the eggs and bacon, butter the toast and finish off the plates with hash browns. I make sure there is minimal grease left on the plates and that nothing is burned. I was so busy finishing breakfast that I forgot the boys were still in the kitchen.

“Oh and Talia will be joining us as well” he said, making me jump, "So make sure to get a plate ready for her," he ordered.

“OK” I responded, grabbing another plate of food. I instantly thought about the interaction I had with Talia at school yesterday, but I quickly put it in the back of my mind and focused on breakfast.

I smile to myself, proud that the food is done exactly on time. As if on cue, I saw dad stroll into the kitchen, grab a beer placed on the counter, and head to the dining room without a word. His hair is disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, and he looks exhausted. That’s usually how he looks after a long night of drinking... Great. . .

I hear the doorbell and know that Talia is here. Tyler takes her into the kitchen for a beverage before they make their way to the dining room. We glanced at each other at the same time as she passed me in the kitchen and moved into the next room. I swear I could detect a small, empathetic smile displayed across her face, but it seemed to be gone as quickly as it appeared. Tyler is distracting her with something ‘funny’ from school as I grab the plates of food and make my way to the dining room.

I place a plate of food in front of each of them and turn to leave to clean up the kitchen as usual.

“Don’t forget to grab yourself a plate, dear” dad said with a forced smile. Dear? He is definitely in ‘company’ mode. Never has he ever called me 'dear'... even. . .before. It was moments like these, I appreciated company like Talia because that made me feel like a valued part of the family, even if it was fake. Cole didn’t count. He was over all of the time, plus dad wasn't afraid of punishing me in front of him. He knows Cole would never talk, plus they both share a love for making my life absolutely miserable.

I grab myself a plate and an extra chair from the kitchen table and sit on the other side of Talia. The boys are discussing football games and practices as usual, while I just sit there and eat breakfast quietly. I enjoyed every single bite. It was a rare occasion to get to enjoy multiple meals within one week. That’s all thanks to Talia. I'd have to thank her later.

“So... Harper, I was thinking. . .maybe we can do a sleepover tonight? I know it's kind of last minute, but it’s been a while since we have had one. . . Would that be okay with you, Mr. Greene?” Talia asked, looking at my dad for a reply.

Everyone seemed a tad surprised at the suggestion, considering Talia and I haven’t hung out since she started dating Tyler months ago. I’m less shocked than everyone else. I know exactly why she wants to get together and that makes my heart race and the anticipation build as we all wait for dad's answer. I worry they might think Talia knows something, with how sudden she insisted on us getting together.

I can see dad's temples pulsing and his jaw tightening. This can’t be good. . .

Before dad can even respond, Tyler beats him to it. “I thought we were going to hangout later tonight, Talia? I was thinking we would go to this new Italian restaurant I know you would like” he said, putting on his biggest and best smile. I stop myself from rolling my eyes, but his act is just as bad as dad’s.

“Besides, Harper is busy tonight. Aren’t you, Harper?” Tyler said in a threatening tone, but plays it off as a sweet gesture and tops it off with a teethy grin.

“Uh, yeah. . . Sorry, I can’t. I. . .I have a lot of homework. .” I stuttered through my partial lie. I did have homework, but after getting Tyler’s done, I didn’t have enough to last me all night. Getting together with Talia sounded somewhat enjoyable, but I knew I had to come up with something. Even if Tyler didn’t intervene, dad would never have said yes.

“Oh, OK” she replied, clearly disappointed in my response, but she seemed to drop the subject, which I am grateful for.