15: disappointment and debt

Harry ran his hands through his dreadlocks, cursing as he stepped on the used cigarette, crushing it under his feet.

He adjusted his black hoodie and strolled down the cold streets with nowhere in his mind. He needed space to clear his head from the disappointment that had slapped him in the face.

He had overheard his stepdad asking that dimwit of a stepbrother, Robert, to stand in for him in the digitizing construction conference. He couldn't explain how badly that piece of information had affected him. At first, when he heard it, his stomach sank, then an ache spread across his chest, leaving his head feeling heavier.

A week ago, his mom told him that her husband was contemplating his decision to attend or not, and so it would be nice for him to prepare himself just in case he was chosen to represent him. He had done just that, and within a twinkle of an eye, the opportunity had slipped through his fingers and been given to someone who clearly hadn't been planning for it since a