Chapter 11: Cracks Beneath The Surface

Tiffany

The man... who I suppose to be Mr. Harris walks up to us and stands in front of Justin, who glares at his father.

Well... Mr. Harris doesn't seem particularly pleased to see him either.

Now I am curious... what exactly is going on between Justin and his father.

"Oh, I see you got yourself a girlfriend," Mr. Harris says.

"Let's go, Tiffany," Justin ignores him and holds my hand, pulling me away.

"Aren't you going to visit your mother today?" Mr. Harris calls behind us, and Justin halts.

"None of your business... you never cared anyway," Justin fires and continues walking.

"Didn't he come to campus just to see you? Leaving him there would be considered rude," I tell him.

"He didn't come here to see me... he is probably here for coach," Justin replies.

"Why would he want to meet your coach?" I ask, stopping him and pulling my hand from his grip.

Justin runs his hand through his hair and sighs at me while I stare at him, waiting for an answer. "He doesn't want me playing hockey," Justin ssys and I blink.

Okay, that I wasn't expecting.

"Why?" I ask.

"Too many questions, Tiffany," Justin turns away from me.

"Well... I am curious," I reply, clearly waiting for him to say something.

"You know what. why don't we do this another time... I would text you," Justin says and walks away from me.

I stare at his retreating view, not knowing what to do.

I should be happy I don't have to go on a date with him, but I'm not.

I shake my head and walk back to the apartment I share with Ava.

When I get back, Ava isn't at the apartment.

She is probably at Finn's place... at least it would give me enough time to type something before she comes back.

I stare at the new laptop Justin gave me, and I press my lips together.

Everything I see or use it, something stirs up inside me, and I don't know what it is.

Guilt? Joy? Relief? Confusion?

I push the thought to the back of my head and make my way to my table to write something.

I try to think of the perfect headline to make people read my article, and hopefully, Mrs Willow accepts it.

I bring out my phone after a while and decide to text Justin.

He didn't 6 when he left... I had no idea his relationship with his father is that bad.

Why won't Mr. Harris want Justin to play hockey?

None of my business, though, but I am curious as hell.

I search up Bryce Harris, and what I see makes my jaw drop.

I know Justin is from an affluent family.... it has been obvious since high school, but I have no idea his family is this rich.

His father's investments are crazy... a typical billionaire businessman.

I am still scrolling through his numerous investments when I hear the door open.

I quickly minimize from G****e and drop my phone. I can't have Ava knowing I searched up Justin's father.

I turn to say hi to her, but her face has sadness written all over it.

Fucckkkk..... I better forget about writing anything today.

Ava talks a whole lot when she's sad. "Tifffffff," she sniffs, walking towards me slowly and engulfing me in a hug.

I tap her back lightly, comforting her.

_

Ava has been talking non-stop about Finn and his decision to transfer.

I don't really catch everything she says, but I believe he wants to change majors and is deciding to go to the UK to continue his studies, and Ava's problem is.... she doesn't want a distance relationship.

"Tell him not to go then," I finally reply.

"That would be damn selfish, I think it's the fever speaking for him... what do you think?" Ava asks me.

"A fever won't make someone decide to change major and transfer schools, Ava," I tell her the harsh reality, and she falls on the bed, grumbling.

"How can he do this to me??" She mutters. I tap her back slightly.

"It's 1 am.... just sleep," I say, and she turns to look at me.

"You should take your own advice. You've been typing since you came back," Ava replies.

"Noo... I'm pretty sure I didn't type anything since you started talking three hours ago," I say and Ava chuckles.

"What would you do without me, Tiffany?" she says, and I smile as I join Ava on the bed, hugging her to myself.

"Sleep," I say, and she nods, closing her eyes.

When I am sure Ava has fallen asleep, I pull away from her, making sure to cover her with the duvet properly before making my way to my bed.

I pick up my laptop from the table and sit on my bed, looking through my article.

I stare at the headline, wondering if I should change it or leave it.

"JUSTIN HARRIS TRASH PLAYBOY ACTIVITY"

"Nahh, this is perfect," I mutter, nodding to myself in satisfaction.

I picked up my phone and stared at the message I sent to Justin a few hours ago.

It clearly shows "read," meaning he saw my message but didn't reply.

My stomach churns.

I feel stupid, suddenly losing the interest to write anything at all. I close my laptop and throw my phone under my pillow as I close my eyes to sleep.

_

*Eight Years Ago, Age 10*

I don't listen to Mom today. I don't hide when I hear Dad yelling at her.

I don't hide when he raises his hand at her.

Instead, I yell at him to stop.

Mom, who is now on the floor, stares at me with fear and sorrow while Dad turns toward me with an angry expression.

The look in his eyes makes me shiver. I wish I had hidden like Mom said because I am very scared.

"How dare you tell me what to do?" he walks towards me, raising his hand to hit me.

"Run, Tiffany, run!" Mom screams at me, and I turn to bolt away from him, but he is faster.

He grabs my shirt collar from behind and pulls me back, and I hit my head on the wooden table.

I see stars as Mom crawls towards me.

"Spare her, please... I beg of you," I hear her say to him.

My head throbs and I can barely see anything. Warm liquid trickles down my temple, and my hand instinctively touches it.

Blood?

I can hear faint noises and Mom's distant scream, but my vision blurr.

I'm on the floor, struggling to keep my eyes eyes even though I can't see, but eventually they fall close and I can't bring myself to open them as I fall into darkness.