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The door to the kitchen flies opens and Theo steps inside, his heavy stare going to Millie and then me.
“You,” he spits.
“Leave it, Theo. I’m fine. Raine was just—”
“You’re supposed to be in class, Mills. You can’t keep doing this. You know Mr. Porter has to inform Dad when you don’t show.”
“Relax, I’m going. It’s only tutor group. It’s no big—”
“Get out,” Theo barks at me, and I bristle.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You might not give a shit about following the rules but Millie is—”
“Theo, you’re being ridiculous.”
“No, Millie. She’s… she’s—”
“What? What am I?” I’m pissed, yeah. But it’s more than that. The way he’s looking at me. Casting judgements he has no right to make.
“A bad influence,” he spits. “I don’t want you anywhere near her.”
“Theo!” Millie snaps but I’m already moving around him to get to the door.
“Raine, wait—”
“It’s okay,” I say with a forced smile. “I’ll see you later.”
“Like hell you will,” Theo starts but I’m already gone, walking down the hall and away from their family drama and his anger.
But I’m not far enough away that I don’t hear Millie say, “What is your problem? That was rude and uncalled for.”
Or to hear Theo answer, “She’s trouble, Millie. She doesn’t belong here and if you think for a second I’m going to let her tarnish your reputation, you’re wrong. Dead wrong.”
8
THEO
“Are you actually serious right now?” Millie shouts, her fists curled so tightly her knuckles are white.
“Yeah, Mills. I am. Deadly fucking serious,” I assure her, taking a step forward.
“Unbelievable,” she breathes, throwing her arms out from her sides before grabbing her toast-filled plate and throwing the lot in the bin.
“What are you doing? You need to eat,” I argue, storming after her when she runs through the door. “You’d better not be chasing after her.”
She stops abruptly before the stairs.“Don’t you dare follow me,” she seethes.
“You need to get to class.”
“And you need to stop pretending to be my father. I’m old enough to look after myself.”
“No, you’re not. And this morning proves it. You’re late. You’ve just binned your breakfast, and you were talking to her when I specifically told you not to.”
She shakes her head as a bitter, disappointed laugh falls from her lips.“I don’t need you following me around and giving me opinions on every aspect of my life, Theo. It is overbearing and unnecessary.”
“I’m trying to look after you.”
