STUTTER

Chapter 27

Skylar
I woke up and groggily made my way to the bathroom. I showered quickly and put on a sweater and a pair of jeans. Hazel I woke her up and directed her to the bathroom. I helped her freshen up and get dressed before going downstairs for breakfast. The boys were down already with Mom and dad. Octavian Hazel screamed rushing to him. Skylar helped me get dressed. She even styled my hair like you always do she said and he chuckled. D-did yo-y-y-ou th-th-thank h-h-h-e-her? He asked and she nodded excitedly.
Take your breakfast Hazel we have to leave soon Xander said and she nodded. She finished up quickly and we stood up. No school for you today Octavian dad said and Xander turned excitedly. No Xander you have to go he said and he pouted mumbling all the way to the car. We dropped Hazel off and proceeded to school.

Octavian

Let's talk they said after breakfast and I groaned. R-r-r-r-righ-right  no-now-now? I asked and Mrs Parker rolled her eyes. Yes Octavian right now she said let's go to my office Mr Parker said and I sighed dragging myself after them.  Sit Octavian he said waving to the seats. Let's talk. c-c-c-c-c-c I sighed tiredly. Llle-let's t-t-t  they waited patiently as I struggled to talk. Not once filling in my words or cutting me off. Can we do this  later? I signed Why?  Mr Parker asked and I scoffed Looking at him in disbelief. I-i-i-i d-d-d-d-d-on-t-don't -don't w-w-w-w-want 

I don't want to waste your time I signed and they both sighed. Listening to you is not a waste of time Mrs Parker scoffed and I sighed. What happened. I raised my hands to sign and received a glare which made me slowly put my hands down. I sighed again and brought my phone out to type when it was suddenly snatched from me. Talk to us Octavian. We have all day. i took in a deep breath and started. He-he-he kept on c-cut-cutting mmmme o-off an-and then he just we-w-w-wen-t on and o-o-o-on on abo-about h-how te-rr-terrib-terrible I am be-be-b-b-b-b I took a deep breath. becau-b-because I st-st-st-st-s-s-stutt-stutter I said. That asshole Mr Parker said and I sighed yet again. He-he-he also s-said. That's not all?! They both exclaimed and I shook my head slowly. He ca-cal-called me a t-t-t-t-to-todd-toddle-toddler well he s-sa-said I spe-speak l-lik-like a t-t-todd... lik-like one. Sky-sky-sky-ssskylar wa-was t-the-there I said and they raised their brows. W-wh-what if s-s-s-sh-she th-thin-th-thinks I'm w-w-w-w-w-w-wea-weak I asked softly and Mrs parker laughed. Octavian do you like my daughter? Her husband asked and I looked up at him slowly. He was glaring at me. I gulped and slowly shook my head moving back. You sure? Ignore him his wife said looking at me. But he likes. shush she smiled. There are pressing matters. Why were you there if you knew he was around? Ha-haz-hazel was cr-cry-crying I said and they nodded in understanding. They both know how much I care about her. Sky st-st-step-stepped i-in an-and s-s-a-said so-some co-color-colorful thi-things to h-him and ju-jus-just dr-d-d-d-r-dragged m-m-me aw-away. I can see some care in the air she wiggled her brows and I smiled. Let's go back to your father's issue Mr Parker interrupted and she rolled her eyes. Let's try talking to him he said and I shook my head. It wi-w-w-w-will j-ju-jus-just ge-ge-ge-get w-w-w-wor-se I said. He's been doing this since you were little. It  has gotten worse! She exclaimed. Let's just have a word with him yeah? No I said calmly. But Octavian p-please I begged and she sighed. Fine but the next time something like that happens I'm going to have a word or two with him she threatened and I smiled. You may leave she said and I did a small victory dance because she didn't talk about my face. We'll talk about your face and fists when the boys return she shouted after me and I groaned.

Skylar

Is his father always like that? I questioned and Xander shrugged. Since I can remember. It's a cycle. When he's at home, he belittles him, calls him names. It really affects him and I hate him for doing that to him. He's a good person. Sure he has issues controlling his anger but he tries his best. And Sky, thank you he said. I was seconds away from punching him. He always tells us to leave it. Even mom and dad have been asked to back off. And Sky, don't pester him about his dad it ticks him off. I nodded as we made our way down the hallways. I h-h-have a m-mi-milkshake Jackson said and I smiled taking it. Whoa t-there it's-it's not y-yours he said. i want just one sip I said and he rolled his eyes. S-s-s-up he said nodding to my brothers. Where's Oc-oct-octav-octavian? He asked. At home Asher responded and he raised a brow. Some issues came up Xander answered his unasked question and he nodded. We made our way to class as the bell rang. We had algebra. The teacher went on and on about variables and I sighed resting my head in my palms. You okay? Xander whispered to me and I nodded. I felt a steady gaze on me and turned to meet Angel's gaze on me. She was glaring at me and I just rolled my eyes and returned to my thoughts. No wonder he was so angry when he thought Jackson was mocking him. His father doesn't make it any easier for him. You sure you're okay? Asher asked and I nodded. Just thinking I whispered. Asher, Skylar mind telling us what you're talking about the teacher asked and I froze. All eyes turned to us and I started playing with my fingers. They're all looking at me I whispered. I was just making sure she was okay Asher answered and that pissed him off for some reason. He slammed his hand on the desk and I flinched. Jackson pulled me closer to him.  B-br-breathe he said softly. Sir she looked sick and I was just making sure she was fine. They're looking at me I said again. Turn to the board everyone Xander shouted and everyone turned. You do not give instructions in my class the teacher said and I was finally calm enough to see Asher roll his eyes. Listen here sir, you are getting on my nerves. Why don't we forget any of this ever happened and carry on with class? He said calmly. Wouldn't want anyone to lose anything right? That's it gentleman! I want your full name right now he said and Asher smirked. Asher Parker he said and he stopped abruptly paling. As I said earlier, let's forget this happened he said icily and the teacher nodded. The bell rung for the next class and we waited for everyone to leave before going out the door. Are-are-are you f-fi-ne-fine? Jackson questioned and I nodded slowly. We made our way to the next class and I slumped into my seat. The teacher came in and started talking. I sighed as I took notes. Octavian and Angel were on my mind and was giving me a pounding headache. By the period before lunch I was starving. Angel. Xander said and she paused turning around. We have to meet today. I can't she said softly. Why the fuck not? Asher seethed and she flinched subtly. Let it go Ash she probably has something to do I said and she glared at me. No one asked you bitch she snapped at me and I held Jackson back. He gently pried my hands off and approached her slowly. The next t-t-t-time yo-you pu-pull som-something li-lik-like that, he snapped his fingers. Gone. He said and her eyes widened but she tried to appear nonchalant. Listen here Angel leave Skylar out of your bullshit before I do something I probably won't regret Asher said. We are meeting in my house today. Do not fuck with me he said and we left the classroom. Weren't you a little too harsh? I asked and Xander scoffed. She's a bitch. When school was over, we made our way to the parking lot and waited for Angel. Car key Asher gritted out when she arrived and she looked shocked but gave it to him either way. See you there he said to us and got into the driver's seat. I made my way to Jackson's car and we set off. You know the way? I asked and he nodded. Wh-wh-what happ-happened to  O-o--o-o-octav-o-octavian he asked and I shrugged. His father is an asshole. i now understand why he's so touchy about his speech and why he flipped the other day  when he thought you were mocking him. Why? he furrowed his brows. Society judges him for his speech and his father makes it worse. I mean he's supposed to encourage his own son right? He listened silently. He was berating him yesterday telling him he speaks like a toddler, cutting him off, yelling at  him I felt so bad. I was cut off by a ring from my phone. Uhh Skylar? Asher  said over the phone. Can you pick Hazel up? We kinda forgot he said. Sure I answered ending the call. We have to pick Hazel up I said and he furrowed his brows. Who-who is t-t-t-t-that? Octavian's sister I said and he nodded. I gave him directions to the school and went in to grab her as he waited outside. Skylaarr she screamed when she saw me and I smiled. Hey kiddo I smiled let's go to the car Octavian is waiting for you at home. We made our way to the car and she got in excitedly. Hi stranger she waved at Jackson and he chuckled. Hi t-t-t-there. What's your name? I'm Hazel and I'm six years old. Jac-j-j-jack-jack-son-jackson he answered as he drove away from the school. I'm seven-se-se-sevent-t-teen. You talk like my brother! She exclaimed and we chuckled. Do-do-do I? He raised a brow and she nodded. Octavian says it's called a stutter. It-it is he smiled. You are my new best friend she decided  as he parked the car. What about me? I faked a pout and she smiled. You are a fellow princess she said and I laughed out loud. well thank you my lady I said giving her a curtsy. She held our hands pulling us inside.

Octavian

 I sat in the boy's room scrolling on tiktok. I went down the stairs when the door opened and closed expecting to see Skylar and Hazel. Wh-whe-where are th-th-the-they? I asked and Asher raised a brow. Who? Th-th-the g-g-girls. Oh they're coming with Jackson Xander answered and I nodded. You're gonna have to stay calm for this okay? Xander said and I raised a brow. Angel is here he signed and I groaned turning to go back up the stairs. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor and I just glared at her. I don't want her here too. Asher said but we have to do our project. Just then, the door opened and Hazel run in with Jackson and Skylar. Octavian! I have a new friend. Jackson. He has a stutter she exclaimed and I looked over to him he shrugged and nodded. H-how w-w-w-w-was sc-school t-to-today? I asked and she started off excitedly. Well, we did a lot of coloring today and I got a star! She exclaimed excitedly. I thought Asher and Xander would pick me up but I got a better surprise. Skylar did. Hey they protested and I chuckled. They were not supposed to hear that she tried to whisper and we all laughed. Even Angel. I glared at her and she shut up. She didn't deserve to laugh with us not after everything she put us through. Angel Hazel hugged her and I pulled her away gently. Let's go I whispered taking her upstairs. Everyone followed us upstairs as I put Hazel down for her afternoon nap.   

Sit down I heard Skylar say cheerily to someone and assumed it was Angel. When I went to the room they were, the twins were staring blankly at Angel. Come on guys try to make her feel at home. Would you like some snacks? I could get you some Skylar offered and she rolled her eyes. This is not your house Skylar so shut the. Be careful what comes out of your mouth next bitch Asher sneered and she shut up. It's fine guys Skylar mumbled. Let's just start our work she said sadly to me and Jackson and I glared at Angel. I'm this close to killing her Jackson signed to me and I nodded in agreement. Let it be guys Skylar mumbled. Let's just start our work. Like two hours later, Skylar groaned I'm so hungry she said standing up. I'm going to get snacks. I-ill help I said standing up. Skyl-skylar wait I said when we were out the door. I just t-th-thanks for? She asked confusedly. For-for-for yes-y-y-yesterday. Oh It was nothing she said looking down. I nodded and we made our way downstairs. She grabbed chips and I grabbed coke. Five bottles. I come bearing snacks she announced and they cheered. I handed out the coke to everyone except Angel. Octavian Skylar sighed you forgot Angel. Sorry I only remembered the humans I signed making sure Angel could see me. Here you can have mine she said handing it to Angel who just rolled her eyes and ignored her. Keep it bitch she answered and I snapped. Turns out everyone else was sick of her. Before we could blink, Asher slammed his hands on the desk. Enough he seethed and she flinched with genuine fear. Asher stop Skylar called out. It's fine if she doesn't want it. Fine? She has been rude to you since you met her. Why the fuck are you tolerating her? You know what? Don't answer that. Angel, get out. But she started. Get the fuck out he screamed throwing car keys at her. When she hesitated, he grabbed her arm and dragged her out. A few guards came over to check the commotion out. Get her out Asher commanded and they grabbed. She hissed in pain and Skylar stepped forward. Let her go she muttered. But...let her go you're hurting her. Asher please she begged and he sighed. Seriously? He muttered frustrated and she nodded. The guards looked at him and he nodded. They hesitantly let her go and she looked down with tears streaming down her face. I scoffed when I looked at her and went back inside.

A knock was heard on the door and we were informed that dinner was ready. Let's go eat Skylar said softly and we all stood up. Hurry up Mr Parker said when he saw us coming. We have some things to discuss. Why is she here? Both adults asked when they saw Angel. We have a project with her unfortunately and Skylar invited her for dinner. An awkward silence enveloped us as we ate with only Hazel narrating how her day went to the hearing of everyone. 

Angel suddenly got a text and left abruptly when she read it. After supper we all went up and Jackson took his leave to go home.