Chapter 4

I could already sense the tension in the air between the three of us and even if Seeley could too, he was very good at hiding it because his smile never even faded.

Sometimes I wanted to be positive like him while on my worst days all I could think was that this guy must have been using drugs to be this kind of smiley even in the worst kind of situations.

"Seeley," my mother nodded, her voice strict and unimpressed.

"What brings you here?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows and stepping closer.

When Seeley's eyes fell on me, he took his time to examine my shorts and a loosened shirt that left my right shoulder naked.

"Yes, what brings you here, Seeley?" my mother crossed her arms and stepped in front of me to hide me from Seeley's intense gaze.

Seeley blinked a few times before turning back to my mother.

"I'm here to pick Heddy up."

"You do with her what?" She narrowed her eyes and I leaned my head to the side.

"You what?" I asked, almost horrified.

Sometimes I couldn't even deny the fact that I was her daughter.

Seeley looked back and forth between my mother and me before rubbing his arm, his veins becoming more visible.

"I thought…" Seeley looked disturbed and confused at the same time now. "Leigh told me that she texted you about this."

When my mother turned back to me with disgrace firing in her eyes, I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and saw an unread message from Leigh. She'd sent it around five minutes ago.

So, that was why my phone was vibrating while I was getting ready upstairs. I would have read it but my mother interrupted me and just sent my mind off things for the past few minutes with her nothing lectures.

When I opened Leigh's message, I was faced with the information Seeley has been talking about.

Sorry girl, can't pick you up since my mother insists on having one last breakfast with her and I don't know how long it will take. Knowing her will probably take ages…

I asked Seeley to pick you up

meet you at the beach

I felt something strange and uncomfortable filling my chest as I read her messages over and over. I almost asked myself why would she bring me into a situation like this but truth be told, Seeley was the one that lived only a few blocks away from me, so that part made sense.

But still, I would have much preferred if I had to walk to Cannon beach.

I, stuck in a car with Seeley, for an hour and more?

Wasn't the brightest idea. Hell, I didn't even know how that would end.

And by the look of my mother's disapproving face, she had to have the same thoughts that I've had.

Everything felt so wrong with this but I didn't have the heart to send Seeley away now. Especially since my mother was standing here between us like a brick wall.

It would be more awkward if I'd sent him on his way while my mother would be all proud that her wishes got fulfilled and she didn't even need to open her mouth.

We were in a weird place with Seeley but I wouldn't do that to him. I owed him that much that I didn't embarrass him in front of my mother who hasn't been a fan of his.

"Oh, I didn't read this one." I said, swallowing my nerves.

Seeley forced a smile on his face, his dimples catching my attention. Smiles still looked good on him. There was no point in denying that.

He had that kind of troublemaker attitude that he could be the sweetest or the most intriguing person around you. And he knew how to balance perfectly between those two things.

"She'll be probably the last one to arrive." Seeley leaned against the doorframe, earning a side glare from my mother.

"Like she always has been," I answered, putting my phone back into my pocket.

My mother gave me a warning glance before shaking her hair out of her face and looking down at Seeley.

"Do you want some coffee before you hit the road?" she asked and my stomach turned into a knot.

I wanted to stop Seeley before he could answer but I was already too late. He couldn't sense the danger that was closing in.

Or he could and he just wanted to annoy my mother. It was something I could picture him doing.

"If I'm not disturbing," Seeley said shyly.

"No, of course not, don't be ridiculous." my mother widened the door and stepped aside to give him space.

"Thank you." Seeley said stepping over to the doorstep.

My mother gave him a fake smile before facing the door and closing it. Probably rolled her eyes in the movement while her back was facing us.

I gave Seeley a questioning glance but he just winked at me before kicking his shoes off with the slightest force.

"Lovely, just give me two minutes." My mother clapped her hands together and hurried to the kitchen.

When I was sure she was out of sight, I leaned over to him with a determined look on my face.

"Did you really need that now?" I hissed and Seeley kept my gaze.

"Come on, Heds." Seeley rubbed my arms in a soothing gesture. "It will be all right, just loosen up a bit."

"I can't while you are in the same room with my mother." I glared at him.

Seeley furrowed his dark eyebrows before looking into the kitchen carefully as if he's been spying on her.

"Why?" Seeley asked. "Am I that shameful?"

I didn't know whether to laugh or scoff at that. I could never be ashamed of someone like him. He was genuine, kindhearted, and always tried to bring out the best in others.

Lately, he's been forgetting to think about himself too.

"No, but she is just something else." I crossed my arms, sticking my gaze to my mother's back as she was moving around the kitchen.

"You're talking about her like she's some kind of monster," he gave me a little laugh but when he noticed my serious expression, his smile dropped.

I let out a wary exhale and walked into the kitchen without waiting for him. My mother's calmness was too dangerous and it grew a lump in my throat once again.

"So, little summer run away, huh?" She asked as she poured the coffee into three mugs that had stood on the table already.

Our kitchen wasn't particularly big, it barely had enough space for two people but all of a sudden it felt way too crowded with Seeley.

"Yes, something like that." he took a seat next to me as my mother put a dark blue mug in front of him. "Thank you."

"Are you excited?" she asked with a warming smile on her lips.

I tried my best to put all the puzzles together so that I could figure out what's been storming inside of here ver since Seeley showed up at our door but it was almost impossible.

I hated how easily she could manipulate others with a single expression shift on her face. It's always been tormenting to find out what her next move would be.

I've been constantly feeling that we've been playing a game of chess where everything was colorless and unpredictable.

"More than I expected myself to be, yeah." he shifted in his seat.

"I'm pretty sure we'll have fun," I spoke before my mother could. I was walking on thin ice since I had no idea if my joining their conversation was a good idea or not.

My mother gave me a weird look before she leaned on her elbows, her fingers hugging her purple mug, staring at her coffee.

Seeley looked at me with bright eyes, something that was both warm and unexpected. Maybe he was happy that I wouldn't leave him alone with my problematic mother who has been having too much time on her hands.

"It was a pleasant surprise from our friends, that's for sure." he nodded and took a sip from his coffee.

My mother examined Seeley as if he's been discussing his plans involving torturing adorable and innocent puppies.

"And how will this go?" my mother asked and my shoulders tensed which Seeley noticed right away.

"What do you mean?" he asked, sensing the tension in her tone.

"I meant… Who is going to pay for all of this?" she waved her fingers around.

I was almost affected by her question if it weren't for her endless hunger for money. It was natural for a parent to worry that their child would try to impress their friends by spending all of their money on everything.

The only difference was that she had a feeling that my friends are the embodiment risk of her wealth when in reality I was the one that worked her guts out for that money.

She hated losing control over me and it was more than obvious now.

"Oh, that." he adjusted his shirt. "We'll split up the rent. The more there is of us, the less each one of us will

My mother relaxed a little after hearing Seeley's answer which was both relieving and infuriating.

"Don't you think you'll get bored after a few days?" my mother made a face like she always has when she was trying to be responsible and wise.

"I don't think." Seeley furrowed his eyebrows.

"Spending months in the same place with the same people and same programs," she continued in a bored tone.

Seeley shared a tired look with me before facing my mother again.

"I've been spending eighteen years in Hillsboro doing the same thing over and over, surrounded by the same people." he shrugged. "I think we'll manage."

My mother just couldn't let him win this verbal battle they have been having. Instead of intervening, I sighed and continued to drink my coffee.

"What did your father say to you about all of this?"

Seeley froze in his place as his fingers were playing with his warmed mug. I twisted my head to my mother but her face remained emotionless.

"It doesn't matter what he thinks." Seeley said, his tone deepening.

"That's no respectful way of talking about your father," my mother gifted him with a sinister look.

But Seeley didn't look affected by it. He must have gotten used to it by now.

"He's been telling me that once I turn eighteen, I can do whatever I want," he said, his eyes unreadable.

Even though his father must have been holding onto that thought of his, Seeley must have been still afraid of him lashing out at him, doesn't matter if he was eighteen already.

Sometimes even age couldn't save you from your parents' cruelty.

"Is that so?" my mother took another sip as her eyes never left Seeley.

"Not everyone is like you, mom." I intervened and ran the tip of my index finger over the edge of my mug. I was nervous as hell but I had to act like I had my feelings under control, otherwise, she'd be using that against me.

"Of course," she leaned back in her seat. "But this is…"

"Just a vacation with my friends," I added and she lifted her eyebrows. "Which they have been planning for a while now, actually."

"And they decided to take you with them?" my mother asked and something crashed inside of me.

I couldn't even look at Seeley, I was that embarrassed. And the worst thing among all of this was the weight of his gaze falling upon me.

"We wouldn't go anywhere without her." Seeley spoke and my mother let out a forced laugh. It was evil and cold at the same time.

"Oh, don't be all dramatic now, Seeley, and tell me that she is special." my mother hissed while I was about to sink into the deep sea of humiliation.

"She is." Seeley replied and my gaze fell on his determined face.

I felt both surprised and drawn out by Seeley's answer. I was sure that the only reason he said to protect me and that made me feel good to be myself but pain also pierced through my heart because he wouldn't believe that was true.

However his determination was more than enough for my mother, so he has reached his goal.

What else would I expect? He was a human being just like I was and he could show empathy. I shouldn't be bragging about this anyway.

I would have done the same thing, regardless of our weird friendship.

"Yeah, right." my mother didn't even spare me a glance as her face darkened. She just couldn't stand if anyone had two great words of her own daughter.

She could be the sweetest or the worst kind of poison that you could ever cross paths with.

"It would be an honor to stay and continue this conversation with you, Ms. Violet…" Seeley adjusted his shirt and slowly pushed himself up. "But we'll be late with Heddy."

Before my mother could say another word, I already stood up and wiped my mouth with a napkin,

"We've talked too much." I said and adjusted my shirt then wiped my hair out of my face.

I walked to the door, not sparing my mother another glance, and was about to grab my bag when Seeley showed up and already took it from the ground.

My mother gave him a questioning look which he addressed and accepted. Then as if nothing has happened, he turned to me with a course in his eyes.

"Are you ready to go?" Seeley asked and my heart sunk deeper in my chest.

A part of me had a feeling that he wasn't just asking me about this holiday. He wasn't just asking me about me being ready to spend my summer with my friends.

He was also asking me if I was ready to step out of my mother's shadow after so many years.

"Yes." I said with all my heart.

When he gave me an encouraging smile, he moved his arm behind his back and opened the door, letting the golden ray of sunshine into my soul.