No reviews? Oh well, it is only the beginning, after all. And it's only been about a week. But a big, huge, ginormous thank you hug to magictoast15 for story alerting and letting me know at least one person is reading this! XD

So as I said before, this next part has some strong language in it. Necessary for the story's sake, I'm afraid. So younger readers, I don't wanna hear you repeating these words-they're no good. And don't go blaming me if you get in trouble-I've got enough to deal with without lawsuits and angry parents other than my own. XD And if it's offensive to anyone, I do apologize, but the rest of the story won't have any of that nonsense, so I encourage you to read it anyway.

In this paragraph, I'm going to rant, so feel free to skip this one if you wish. The layout of this story (and the many, MANY stories to follow it) is going to be atypical of most stories. I got inspired by something Doug Walker aka Nostalgia Critic said in one of his videos as himself. He said that movies shouldn't have all these clichés and moments without meaning to serve a story. He said to "just show a life." I got really inspired by that, and that's what I'm going to try to make out of this story. It's just going to be this girl's life and what she goes through. This chapter is probably the worst place to put this, since it's the most dramatic of all of them and it seems to come out of nowhere XD but that's only because we(or, at least you readers) didn't witness all of the events leading up to it. Yeah, I'm done.

With all that out of the way, this chapter has some exciting stuff happening, and the ball really gets moving. So yeah. Get excited.

Enjoy!

There he stood. The reason for all this trouble. The beginning and the end of my happiness. The man I found pathetic and useless, and yet was terrified of.

Immediately he grabbed the top of my arm and dragged me back into the house.

"No, we're discussing this outside," I said immediately.

"Like hell we are!" He shouted. "I'll talk to you wherever I damn well please!"

"Hey, hey, there's a kid in here, watch your mouth!" I said automatically. I froze as I realized my mistake.

Just as I feared, he turned towards the kid. "You think I care what this snot-nosed little shit thinks of me?"

"Stop!" I yelled.

Ignoring me, he advanced towards the kid. "What're you gonna do, huh? Fight me? Come on, fight me!"

The kid was shaking in fear and his behind his mother.

"Aw, hiding behind Mommy?" He mocked the boy.

"Enough!" I turned him around. "They have nothing to do with this, stop terrorizing them!"

"Too late, sweetcheeks. You got them involved when you decided to hide here."

I stopped mid-word. He was right, in a way. Ugh, how does he always manage to find my weak spot?

"She didn't do anything," The dad suddenly spoke up. His voice shook a little, but it was firm nonetheless. "I brought her in here."

He smiled a smile that made me sick, then sauntered over to the man. "Oh, big brave guy, huh? Or are you just trying to look cool in front of your lady and kid?"

The dad did nothing but glare at him.

"Well, only one way to find out," He said casually, cracking his knuckles. He wound his arm back, preparing for a punch.

"Jim, no!" The lady screeched.

"DAD!" The boy screamed in terror.

I acted faster than anyone, running over to Jim and pushing him out of the way.

I took the hit on the same cheek he had punched me earlier. As I slid across the floor, I bit back cries of pain and fought back tears.

The woman screamed in pure horror.

"STOP IT! STOP IT!" The boy was practically in tears.

He whipped around. "DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT TO DO, YOU SHIT SUCKING LITTLE ASSHOLE!"

Despite the pain, I was ready to scream back one last warning to stop with the expletives-

The door busted open again, and we all jumped in fear.

"You better get a grip on that pottymouth, son."

Three officers had their guns pointed straight at him.

"What-how did-?" He spluttered.

"Neighbors heard the commotion and called," The officer explained simply as he helped Jim to his feet.

"You're under arrest for breaking and entering, disturbing the peace, and several counts of physical and verbal assault," Another said as he quickly cuffed him.

"But I-NO! It was all HER!" He indicated me.

An officer walked over and helped me up as well.

"Somehow, I doubt that. Take him away, boys."

He kept shouting and shouting, and I was grateful when the door closed.

"Now, first and foremost-Miss, you need medical attention."

"No! No-no-no, it's okay." Not only do I hate hospitals, but I could never afford to pay.

"Are you sure? Looks like he did a number on you," The officer said.

"We'll pay," The mother offered.

Like I was going to accept money from them after all I put them through. "No, no, really, it's fine, he's done worse-" I slapped a hand over my mouth as I realized what I just said.

Maybe the officer didn't hear me.

"He's hurt you worse than this before?"

So much for that.

"Uh...yeah..." I said in the smallest voice I could manage.

"Well, we'll certainly need to look into this man. Could you give us his name, please?"

I took a deep breath. "Eddie. Eddie Gonzales."

He wrote that down in his notepad. "Well, we'll call you if we need more information, Miss. Take care."

With that, he left.

There was an awful silence after he left. The mother was the first to speak.

"Sweetie, let me get you some ice for that-"

"No." I said firmly. "I've been way too much trouble for all of you already."

I looked right at the boy, who was still recovering.

"And I could never...ever, apologize enough." My voice broke, but I composed myself and continued. "The best thing I could do for you all is leave and never come back."

"You have somewhere to go?" Jim asked.

I froze at the door. While getting rid of Eddie was a miracle, it also meant I was now homeless. Where would I go?

"You don't, do you?" The mother spoke up.

"I'll be fine," I said flatly.

"Now look here, we're not going to sit by and let a young girl live by herself on the street." The father said this gently, yet surely.

"First of all, I'm 23. I'm a legal adult. Second, I'm not going to impose myself on the nicest family I've ever met just because I'm too weak."

"It's not weakness to ask for help when you need it," Jim pointed out.

"Well, I don't need it."

I saw everyone flinch, and immediately regretted my choice of words.

"Look," I sighed. "Thank you for everything you did tonight. But I've messed you guys up enough. I don't want to see you go through what I've been through-you all seem so nice and great. It's really best if I leave now. So goodnight...and goodbye."

I turned around and opened the door.

"Wait!"

The voice was so quiet, I almost didn't hear it. I turned around, and the two parents were looking at the boy with slight shock on their faces. He was staring me dead in the face, looking pitiful, yet determined.

"You...you can't go." He said.

I walked over and knelt down to him. "Look, kid, I-"

"No!" He shouted, and I jumped back, as did his parents. "Don't talk to me like I don't know what's going on! Maybe I don't get everything, but I get enough! If you leave now, you won't have a home, or a family that loves you! You'll still be as sad as you are now! And...and someone might hurt you again."

All of a sudden, he hugged me, which completely threw me off.

"I don't ever want to see you get hurt like that again. No one should be hurt like that. Please don't go. Please!" He was sobbing-hard.

I was almost in tears myself. This kid had just met me, had been completely traumatized by my coming here-

And yet was crying over my lack of happiness.

I hugged him back, swallowing the tears as best I could. "That important to you, huh?" I tried to sound casual.

"Yes." He hugged me tighter, if that was possible.

I looked up at the parents, who were smiling at me, tears glistening in their own eyes.

I gave them a watery smile. "Well, I don't have much of a choice, then, do I?"

The boy pulled away. "You mean it?"

"I mean it," I smiled.

Another knock on the door. We all froze, the boy clinging to me.

"It's me, Officer Gusmano. Just need to drop somethin' off, is all."

We all breathed a sigh of relief as Jim opened the door.

The officer walked in, carrying a familiar-looking duffel bag. "This yours?" He looked at me.

"Yeah, that's my stuff!" I got up and took it. "Thank you so much."

"No problem at all. G'night." The officer tipped his hat as he walked out.

"Well, that solves the clothes problem," Jim remarked.

I was still unsure about this, but one look at the kid told me I couldn't leave if I wanted to.

"I'll get that ice." The mother rushed to the kitchen.

"Well, I guess we should all introduce ourselves!" I was shocked at how they could all be so peppy and happy after tonight. "I'm Jim Asperigi. My wife is Helen-"

"And I'm Junior!" The boy piped in.

Seemed like an odd name, but hey.

"And your name is Jenny?" Jim asked.

I stifled a groan. "No, it's Jenna."

"Nice to formerly meet you, Jenna," Helen walked in with a baggie filled with ice.

"Put this on your cheek-it should reduce the swelling."

I did as she said, and winced as it touched my skin.

"Oh, it stings at first, but it really helps," She assured me.

"Now, where to put you..." Jim thought.

"Ooo-ooo, can she stay in my room, please please pleeeeeease?" Junior begged.

Jim laughed. "If that's okay with Jenna."

I smiled at Junior. " Cool with me."

"Alright, then! We'll just move the bed from the guest room." Jim started up the stairs.

"I'll help," I followed him.

"Oh, don't be silly-"

"Come on, it's not like my leg's broken. I want to help."

Jim smiled, understanding what I really meant. "Okay, then."

Aw. Well…not sure what else to say really. XD Catch ya next time!