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Chapter 4

By the time I had my cell phone in my hand, I didn't have to look at the screen to know it was my father calling. I looked back at Violet, who was curious but didn't say anything more. "Hey, dad." I answered the buzzing.

Through the other line, I could hear my father's footsteps as he walked somewhere and the light sound of other people talking amongst him. It sounded too busy to be his office, to be honest. "Where are you?" He cut to the chase. The anger in his voice was well over evident, almost like he was growling because he couldn't contain his frustration.

He also said it loud because Violet heard from where she sat on her bed. "Who's that?" She finally asked, frowning and sitting up straighter.

I shook my head. "I'll just be a minute." My dodged reply was feeble as I turned back out of her room and walked down the hall. It was only when I reached the corner that I stopped walking and leaned back against the wall. It was embarrassing for Violet to even have to hear my dad like that, let alone through a phone. "Dad, calm down. I'm fine."

"What did I tell you about telling me to calm down? I'm the parent here." He snapped. A car honk sounded on his side of the line, to which he swore under his breath. "I called you three times. Why didn't you pick up, Iris?"

It was only the paranoia getting to his nerves. He had every right to be like this. I knew that, but I still didn't like him this irritated. At least it wasn't in person where he'd make me sit on the couch and lecture me as he paced back and forth in the living room. Those were always unbearable. "I'm sorry dad. I really am fine. I was just using the bathroom."

My dad sighed. "You were supposed to call me as soon as you got home. You got out of school at what, 2:15? You're supposed to call me, that's the rule when you get home so I know that you're alright."

"I know the rule, dad." I said and bit my lip, hoping he didn't take that as me answering back. "I forgot to call, it's my fault. I lost track of time, I'm sorry."

My dad must have gone into a building because it finally got quieter on his end. "Iris, you just...scared me, okay? I don't have to ask you to know you still remember everything from the last house. When it happened, I was calling your mother to tell her I was almost home."

My stomach tightened. He was bringing it up. I didn't want to listen anymore, I didn't want to have to stand here and think about it over again. "Dad, don't." My chin trembled and I bit my lip. It seemed to help keep the sudden tears from slipping from my blue watered eyes.

He took in a breath. "When she somehow finally reached the phone, all I heard was her screaming. For help, for someone to hear you two." He was talking lowly so no one around him could hear. That's how I knew it pained him too.

"Dad, I'm sorry." I whispered. But for what? On behalf of what happened to our family or because I forgot to call? Maybe both.

My dad sighed and I could hear him trying to calm himself. "Are you sure you're okay?"

At that, I looked back down the hallway. I'd almost forgotten where I was and was glad to be out of that dazed memory that knew how to pull me in. "Yeah, I'm fine. And I'll call you from now on." I assured.

That seemed to make him feel better. "Thank you." He paused then and apparently covered the phone to be polite as he ordered something. Once he was done, he brought the phone back to his ear. "So are you almost done with your homework?"

That was a normal question for him and it made my mouth go dry. Lie. That was the first thing that came to my mind. But I never lie. Would I even sound believable if I tried? No. The truth would be a better route. "Actually dad, I'm over Violet's house. She invited me over so-"

"So you're not taking care of some responsibility." He concluded, making the guilt wash over me.

I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down at my feet. He wasn't even in front of me and he made me feel bad. He was right though, right? "I know, dad. I'm sorry. I just thought...you said it'll be good to get to know people."

My dad said a thank you to whomever he was talking to before clearing his throat and directing his attention back to me. "Responsibility comes first. You should know that."

"I do." I sighed. "I know dad and I'll take care of everything when I get home. It was my first day." I tried that. It was a small excuse, but one that had the possibility of working.

"Fine, but just this once. You know you have to get your schoolwork done first thing. Then any chores around the house. I think the trash is getting full." He told.

Well, it was worth a shot. At least it got me slightly off the hook, but he was still disappointed. He always showed it if I didn't strictly follow his parenting. It was the way he raised me to be, not like my cousins or the other children I attended school with that acted out or did whatever it was to make him be so orderly.

'He just wants the best for you.' My mother's words rang through my ears. It's what she used to always tell me growing up. I rubbed at my eyes like it would clear my head. "Okay, dad. I'll take care of it."

"That's what I like to hear. I'm eating a late lunch now so I'll see you at home."

I nodded. "Yeah."

We exchanged a few more mutual words before he hung up. I didn't move. I couldn't walk back to Violet's room just yet, not feeling like I might cry over this conversation. Looking pathetic over something I wouldn't even explain to her didn't sound like a good idea. Because Violet would surely ask and speaking about it wouldn't help.

So I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes to focus on breathing. That felt better at least. A good five minutes past, or so it felt like it, when I finally wiped at my eyes just to make sure they were clean. I turned to start back for Violet's room, when I unexpectedly collided with someone.

It startled me, because I hadn't heard the person walk up. Immediately I thought it to be Violet, but the body was taller than mine. My phone hit the floor with a small thud and I bent to pick it up, but a hand reached out for it before I could.

"That's alright, I got it."

I watched him until he stood up straight again and my eyes could meet his brown ones. I was staring and he returned that. I snapped out of it. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

He seemed to wave it off as he passed me my phone. "You're Iris, right? Violet's friend."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

The boy pointed his thumb behind him to the stairs. "I saw you, Dr. Harmon knew you."

The dirty blonde hair. Recognition came over me. "Oh, you were the patient with him?"

He raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "If that's how you see me."

The way he said it made me feel bad, like maybe he thought I'm judging him because he's seeing a therapist. "I didn't mean it like that, I just thought Mr. Harmon showed you out?"

That's what it seemed like anyway. Ben had finished with the session and was headed downstairs.

He nodded. "Yeah, I came back in through the other door."

I raised an eyebrow. He broke in? That didn't sound good. I had enough experience with that.

"I'm a friend of Violet." He clarified, seeing the guarded look in my eyes. He smiled then, like he was trying to convince me. It was a nice smile that brought out his dimples. It made him look younger, too. "Tate." He stuck out his hand.

To not be rude, I shook it. He already knew my name anyway. But instead of letting go like a normal person, he took me by surprise and turned my hand over. By doing so, he pulled me closer to him and when I tried to back away, his grip tightened. It was slight and not enough to hurt, but enough to show he wasn't letting go.

"What are you doing?" I asked, frowning. My voice froze in the back of my throat though when I noticed what he was really doing.

His left hand was around my wrist while his right hand hovered over mind. He traced his fingers over my palm. "How'd you get this?" He asked. His expression was one of thought and curiosity. The feel of his fingertips over my scar gave me goose bumps.

"An accident." I whispered and looked down.

No one has ever been so straightforward like he is right now. I'm usually so careful when it comes to it. It was a mere handshake, he shouldn't have noticed. But he did and was quick about it.

"Good or bad?"

How could any accident be good? "What do you think?" I responded with a question. He only turned his eyes back to mine, searching and waiting for a real answer. I blinked, not liking the feel of his gaze. "It saved my life." I confessed lowly, looking down at my palm.

Tate gently touched the scar again. "Then I think it's a good thing. And you shouldn't try to hide it all the time. It's a part of you now. You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are."

His words were strong and wistful. "I don't hide it." I said a little too quickly.

Tate smiled again. He tilted his head, trying to catch my eyes that were still drawn away from him. "Don't lie to me, Iris. I can already tell your bad at that."