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Dinner is going well I think. I tried to ignore the man sitting beside me but he made it hard. He kept brushing his leg against mine and he would call out my name every so often, loud enough so everyone knew he was talking to me and I couldn't ignore him without being rude.
I was talking to Chance about the game we were playing before we came downstairs when I heard my name. "Yes, Harmoni is very bright." I heard my father say. I turned and looked up at him. He flashed me a smile.
"Really?" Franklin asked looking at me. My father hummed, taking a sip of his wine.
"Yes, she was the valedictorian of her class in high school and she's excelling in college. Except for one class which I don't necessarily think it's her fault."
"Really? What class is that?" Franklin asked. I swallowed hard and sat back slightly in my seat.
"Psychology," I answered with a slight nod. Franklin raised his eyebrow.
"And what do you not understand the class?" he asked. "Because if not, Anders can help you. He's a professor at a college. An excellent one at that." I shook my head.
"I understand it, well," I admitted. "I just... think the teacher has some sort of vendetta against me," I said quietly but loud enough so all of them could hear. Professor Bergland started choking slightly before bringing his cup to his mouth. I didn't dare look over at him, I was too uncomfortable to.
"Why do you say that, dear?" Karin asked. I sighed, shaking my head.
"I don't want to go into my problems. It's more than likely nothing. Just me being a girl and overreacting."
"Nonsense. If you feel a certain way, you have the right to speak up. Now, what did they do?" Margareta asked. I pursed my lips together.
"I rather not talk about," I mumbled.
"They haven't hurt you have they?" Alexander asked. "I'll beat his ass my damn self if they have. You aren't my granddaughter just yet but I will treat you like one. I know you're a good kid. I can tell." I swallowed, looking over at Professor Bergland seeing he was looking at me already.
"It's you." my father said finally figuring it out. "You're the asshole professor giving my daughter problems." he stood. Professor Bergland didn't look away from me and just shook his head.
"I'm not being mean to hurt her. I'm just being a professor. Her teacher. That's all." Professor Bergland explained.
"You don't know how many times Harmoni had come home crying about how stressful your class is and how you're treating her. Do you understand how heartbreaking it is to see your only daughter cry and not be able to do anything about it?" My father boomed loudly. Professor Bergland furrowed his eyebrows. Everybody else around the table was slient and was watching the three of us closely.
"I made you cry?" he asked softly. I looked over at my father with a frown.
"She used to just sit home and stress over everything and then you belittle her in class? Who the fuck do you think you are? Who the fuck are you to speak to my daughter in that fashion?"
"Dad, it's ok," I whispered.
"No, it's not. He caused so much stress and pain for you, Har. It's not ok."
"I never did it to hurt her." Professor Bergland spoke out. My father snarled.
"Get the fuck out of my house," he shouted. Professor Bergland sighed, standing.
"I apologize and want to thank you for the dinner," he said softly before leaving the dining room. I blinked a couple of times before looking at my father.
"Thanks for embarrassing me just as much as he did." I spat standing.
"Har," he started but I ignored him and continued upstairs. I heard footsteps behind me and knew they were Chance's and didn't say anything as he followed me. But as I turned around, expecting to see my best friend, I saw Stacey. She smiled weakly.
"Were you expecting your boyfriend?" she asked after seeing the shocked look on my face.
"He isn't my boyfriend but yes. I was." I mumbled. She smiled sweetly before nodding.
"Oh, well, I just wanted to come up here and talk to you. Even though we just met, I just wanted to let you know that you'll be ok. We always come out strong in the end."
"We?"
"Women. More power to the pussy, right?"
"What the hell does that mean?" I asked confused.
"Look, my brother is an ass sometimes, we all know that but I can guarantee you that what he did wasn't out of malicious intent." I raised my eyebrow. "Anders is a good guy. He just doesn't know how to act in certain situations and for a thirty-five-year-old man, he sometimes doesn't act his age."
"OK?" she let out a small chuckle.
"I'm saying, my brother, isn't hurting you to hurt you and really anybody else per se."
"Even though I'm still confused, I want to know how do you know this?" she smiled.
"It's not my place to announce things I talked to my brother about in private so you'd just have to take my word for it."
"How can I take your word for it if I don't even know you to even slightly trust you?" She smirked.
"You two are too much alike. I don't lie. I can't lie."
"What? Everyone can lie."
"No, I have the inability to lie. If you ask me a question right now, I would tell you the truth." I nodded slowly. "Try, ask?"
"How would I know if you're lying or not?"
"Ask a question, Harmoni." I sighed before shrugging.
"Why does Professor Bergland hate me?" I asked, getting right to the point.
"Shit," she muttered. "I can't tell you much but just know, he doesn't hate you. He doesn't hate anyone. He'd for sure hate me if I tell you this so I'm going to go before I blurt it out. Have a good night, Harmoni." she said quickly before leaving my room. I furrowed my eyes and watched as she left and Chance came in after her.
"What was that about?" he asked. I shrugged.
"I'm convinced the Bergland children are a bunch of psychos," I grumbled he chuckled before pulling me to him.
"Let's finish playing Mappy," he suggested. I nodded plopping down on my bed and grabbing the controller before he could get it. I felt him kiss the back of my head before pulling me back into him, this time it was a more comfortable position, so I had no complaints.
