Big Bad Hannah

Chapter Eight

A flyer was pasted on the apartment door, and Hannah tore it off before reading it. It was advertising a special herbal elixir that cured all diseases.

Liars. She thought, and entered the apartment.

Judging from the dark interior, Janice wasn't back yet -not that Hannah expected her to be. Janice often worked late nights at the law firm, where she worked as a clerk. Hannah knew Janice didn't mind; she was working in a small law firm, that's as close to becoming a lawyer she could get. But Hannah wished Janice would rest more often. Her big sister deserved it.

Hannah took out a microwave meal and tossed it into the microwave, before continuing to her room. Her room wasn't very attractive. It was tiny, just big enough for a bed, a cupboard, a desk and chair. Luckily, those were the only furniture she owned. She was sure her bed was older than her, and the rest were gotten at a yard sell, like everything else in the house. Hannah didn't bother decorating, because even though the apartment was her and Janice's, she didn't consider it their home.

Since Hannah wasn't a very organized person, she undressed and dropped her cloths wherever she pleased. She then took out the Hill Crest soccer jersey Coach had given her earlier from her backpack. The jersey had a huge 1 printed at its back. She'd made the team alright.

The tryout had been tiresome, with every member of the team hitting her hard. Out of nine shots, she'd caught five. That seemed good enough for Coach, because he let her into the team. Some had congratulated her, like Donald and his newly introduced friend, Vishnu. Others had ignored her, but one person couldn't stop glaring. Paco had to watch out, or more balls would be landing on his manhood.

The timer on the microwave rang, and Hannah rushed to take her dinner. She plopped in the coach, and enjoyed the meal as she watched television. However, the horror TV series wasn't enough to keep her awake, so she slept off.

By the time Hannah woke up, Janice still wasn't back yet. She looked at the wall clock and saw that it was almost 11 pm. Now she was worried. Janice had never come home this late, and especially not without calling. Hannah quickly picked up her phone and called Janice's line, but the receiver was switched off. She went into a full blown panic.

Hannah threw on her hoodie and wore flip flops. If she couldn't contact Janice, then she would head to her workplace. She jerked the door open, only to meet Janice's startled face. Hannah's expression must have been angry, because Janice smiled nervously.

"Hi?" When Hannah said nothing she asked, "Can I come in?".

Hannah made way to let Janice in.

"Where the hell have you been?!" She screamed. "I couldn't reach you! And I got worried!"

"Sorry. I forgot to charge my phone earlier, so it switched off."

"Sorry won't cut it. You're doing the dishes tonight."

Janice chuckled. "Who'd use any method to skip your chores wouldn't you?"

Hannah shrugged. "What can I say?" She smiled deviously. "I'm me."

"Fine, but only tonight."

Janice rounded Hannah and crashed on the couch. She looked exhausted, Hannah noticed.

"So where were you?" Hannah asked.

"Oh I went to see Gary." Janice's expression suddenly brightened up. "Did you know there's still some hidden assets the court didn't close off. It's worth hundreds of dollars!"

"How could you?"

Hannah's features darkened as Janice mentioned her father's name. She couldn't believe Janice would go to meet him, after everything he did to them.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Janice raised an eyebrow.

"How could you go to him? Don't you see? You're playing right into his hands. He's evil. He's a devil."

Janice sighed. "Oh Hannah. Sure, Gary didn't make the best decisions, but he's paying for his crimes, behind bars. We should cut him some slack. Besides, we need the money."

"We don't need anything from him."

"Cmon. Have you seen the place we live in? It's comfy, but it's a shack. Not to mention your college education. I'd like to believe there's some college fund stashed somewhere, but there isn't. And with the rate we're going, there never will be. We can barely keep up with the bills as it is."

Hannah couldn't believe Janice. Once upon a time they'd laid in each other's arms, cursing her father, cursing the blood she shared with him, and the role he'd played in their lives. A fury, so savage it felt unnatural, stirred in Hannah. She felt betrayed. Her father had gotten Janice to reconcile with him, but she would never forgive her father. Never. Even with a dagger at her throat.

"We DON'T need anything from him." She repeated stubbornly.

"Stop being so childish." Janice reproached, with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Gary was a good father, up to the point he got arrested, to me and to you. He treated me good, and there's no denying he loved you. He still loves you too, and misses you. He wishes you would visit him, even if it's just once."

"You don't know him like I do."

"He's our father, and I've known him two years longer than you. Sure he has the criminal tendencies, but he's a good man, at least to the ones he cares about. Stop being unreasonable."

"He's my father!" Hannah screamed. "Not yours! Not anybody else! The relationship between us is a family matter. Don't meddle in things that don't concern you."

"I'm your sister. I'm sure that counts as family."

"Step—sister."

Immediately she said it, Hannah regretted it. If her cruel words didn't prove that she'd hurt Janice, then Janice's expression did. Janice didn't say anything else, but picked up her back and headed to her room.

What did I just do? Hannah silently asked herself.

She'd just told Janice that she wasn't considered family. Hell! Janice was the only family Hannah still saw as family, and she'd pushed that one person away. She felt like running to Janice, crying into her chest in a tight hug, and never letting go. Janice wasn't just her family, Janice was her world, the only reason she hadn't given up yet.

Hannah crouched on the ground, and cried into her knee. She'd have to settle for that. She blamed him. It was all her father's fault. He wasn't present, but he'd managed to ruin her life. Again.