The Rogue's Obsession

My Uncle?

Hannah

“I want to disappear”, I keep telling myself as I walk home, drenched and cold. A car passes by me at high speed and splashes cold, dirty water all over me.

“Great…”

I throw my hands in the air and just continue walking. I get to the apartment and head straight to the shower.

Why would I ask him such an idiotic question? He probably thought I was insane.

For all I know I might be, I am not sure anymore.

I bathed in cold water because I didn’t pay the bill.

“This is more than great. It’s perfect, “ I conclude as I change into my pajamas and put headphones in my ears. I play music, hoping it will stop me from thinking.

I finish brushing my teeth when I hear some noise but decide it’s the neighbors from downstairs, fighting again.

I take my headphones off and go to bed when I hear a knock.

“You have to be kidding me, “ I groan. Andy was here earlier today, what does he expect - that I’ll have the money by now?

Another knock follows and I get up. I glance at myself- my pajamas are pink with penguins all over it but I don’t care.

It might be Miss Gerard. I head to the door and open it carefully but don’t see anyone.

I should just shut the door and lock it. This is the smart thing to do in this neighbourhood, especially at this hour.

I was never very smart about these things, though.

I come out in the corridor and see a guy, perhaps my age, walking towards the staircase.

He is dressed in black and I recognize him immediately, even though he’s dressed differently.

It’s him. It’s the guy I saw in the diner. He stops before the staircase and turns to look at me. I stand where I am, in the middle of the corridor in my stupid pyjamas.

“Hey, “

I shift awkwardly. I am also barefoot.

“Do you… do you live here, too?” I ask, dumbly. He could be a criminal or some weirdo but at that very moment, I don’t even care. How does he know I live here?

Then he strides towards me and I am ready to take a step back and go back to my apartment. But I don’t.

He stands before me and bends forward. My heart is drumming like mad and I am unable to move.

His dark hair is falling over his cold, grey eyes, which makes him look somehow dangerous. And extremely hot at the same time.

He smells like rain and cold, cigarettes and his cologne.

I can’t decide if he is angry or not. For a wild second, I imagine him kissing me right here and the thought startles me.

I also want him to kiss me. I am not even thinking straight, this is absurd. Maybe it’s because of everything that happened with my mother and the whole mess my life has been, I haven't slept in forever…

Neither of us speaks. He leans in, his scent filling all my senses and I feel his lips very close to my ear when he whispers.

“I told you to be more careful with strangers. “

“I am not scared of you, “ my voice comes out like a whisper.

Then something happens - it’s like he changes his mind and he pulls abruptly away.

“You should be. “ His eyes become impossibly dark, I swear they look an entirely different colour and he strides away.

“I… Wait!” I open my mouth to speak but he disappears before I even figure out what the hell was that just now.

***

“Hannah, thank you for coming. Please close the door, “ the principal places her elbows on the desk and smiles at me.

I take the seat opposite her, sitting on the edge of the chair. I couldn’t fall asleep after what happened last night and I’m cold. I feel like my eyes are full of sand.

“Hello, Miss McDavid, “ I greet her too.

She is flipping a pen between her fingers and I already know that's a bad sign. She is going to say something about my mother.

Or worse.

“And please accept our condolences - mine and your teachers. “ she says.

“Thank you, “ I whisper.

Then she shifts in her chair and it’s coming.

“Hannah, you’ve always been one of our top students. But you’ve missed most of the classes this year. Last year, too. “

“You know it was because of my mother, and…”

“I do. And your sample application essay was great, but..”

“But?...” I sit straighter.

“I cannot give you all the credits you need because as I said, you missed so much... “

“What?” I exclaim, “No, you can’t be serious. I did every single assignment.”

Okay, almost, but still…

“You can’t do that!”

“Language, Hannah. “

“What language are you talking about? You are telling me I cannot have my credits because my mother was sick.”

“I am saddened you see it this way. “

“This is the only way.” I go on, “I won’t be able to apply for the university I was aiming at in that case. And scholarship will be out of the question …no…”

I want to get up and leave, or break something. But I stay where I am.

“Hannah, even with a scholarship it will be too difficult. Also…” She leaves the pencil on the table and picks up a folder.

“I had a meeting with Social Services. And they are coming shortly.“

Oh, no. No, no, no…

“Why? Why would you do this?”

I run my hands through my hair. I shouldn't have come to school today, I f*****g knew it was a mistake.

“You can’t live on your own. “ she says.

“I am turning eighteen in a few months, I can…”

“You know the law- if you have no relatives that are willing to take care of you, then …”

This is not happening.

There's a knock on the door and the secretary invites two people into the room. I recognize the older woman.

Shit.

“Hello, Hannah, “ she says, then proceeds to tell me how sorry she is that my mother is dead.

Miss Laylad, ladies and gentlemen. A.k.a - Social. f*****g. Services.

They start explaining the usual, repeating almost the same as what the principal said - I can't live on my own, I can't work so much as it interferes with school, I barely go to classes...

“We spoke to your uncle… “ Miss Layland says and I stare at her.

“My uncle? He lives in North Dakota. “

He is also barely thirty, not married and last time I spoke to him I was what… six?

“Yes, that’s correct. “ her colleague confirms, “He can take care of you until you turn eighteen. “

I laugh. They must pay him really well for this- which I doubt.

“Hannah, there’s also a great community college there and if you manage to finish that school year successfully…”

“A community college?” I don’t even have the strength to laugh. I get up and pick up my backpack. I am late for work anyway.

“See you. “

“Hannah, wait, “ Miss Layland gets up and follows me, “Here's my number, please take it in case you need to call me. Think about living with your uncle-, otherwise you will be sent to people you don’t know. “

“Unless I run away, “ I thought while accepting her card.

“Yeah, thanks. “

I head out and consider saying bye to everyone. I won’t see any of them anymore.

“Forget it, I will text Karla and the others later. “

After my shift, I calculate how many more days I need to work to gather money for fuel.

Social services know my address so I have to move out fast.

I’ll pay Andy- I am not that much of an asshole to bail and not pay him, and after that, I am getting out of here.

My mother’s old car won’t get me far but it will have to do.

I start my shift, constantly glancing at the door as if that guy would show up. Riley is in a strangely good mood and she doesn’t stop talking about the blond guy from last night. I don’t hear most of what she says because I am super busy but apparently, she met him after her shift.

I am trying not to think of the other guy too much but it doesn’t really work.

Neither his friend nor him come, though.

I finish my shift and head home, happy that at least it’s not raining tonight.

I hear the voices long before I get to my floor. The door of my apartment is open and I rush, my heart thudding.

It would be borderline hysterical if they robbed us. Me - I live alone now.

But as I approach the apartment I see Andy inside, showing the place to a young couple.

“Hi, Hannah “

“What is going on?” I ask and he makes a sign not to speak.

And it dawns on me.

“Andy?” I snap, “We agreed you would wait for me and…” he excuses himself in front of the couple and grabs me by the hand, leading me out.

“You have tonight to get your stuff out. “ he says, “They will take it and pay two months ahead. Two. I can’t wait for you. Unless you find me the money tonight. “

“You know I can't. “

“Then get the f**k out of my apartment by tomorrow. “

He returns to the couple and I hear them discussing the price. Andy is all smiles and sunshine.

“f**k him. f**k all of them. “ I hissed as I gathered whatever I had and then put it in the car.

I left some money for Andy on the table before I left the apartment which I know I will later regret.

I spent two days in the car before the police came. I knew one of the police officers and I lied I was just hanging out there. I am pretty sure he didn’t believe me but he said the next time he saw me they would have to call someone. Or lock me. I spend one more day in the car before Social services come. I don’t know who called them but they threatened to take me with them.

I take the card out of my pocket and dial the number. My battery is dying and I will have to go to McDonalds to charge my phone very soon.

She picks up almost instantly.

“Hey, Miss Layland. It’s Hannah. You said you spoke to my uncle?”