Chapter 4

It was Monday. Seville went to work, leaving me home alone to watch out for Mum and Dad's car to pull up in the driveway. We guessed they'd be almost home by now, at least. They might've gone far, but what they had to do once they arrived at their destination didn't take long at all.

Well, we didn't think so, anyway...

Now, I was sat on the outdoor front porch, listening to the birds chirping and waiting for the sound of a car rumbling to disturb them. No different sound broke their song, except for perhaps cars that weren't Mum and Dad's . I didn't get worried though. I mean, they didn't give us an exact day for when they'd be back. It could be any day this week. And yeah, we estimated some time this week.

It'd only be normal. Right?

Normal. Heh. Such a funny word...

Well, every false alarm made my heart sink further, until I could've sworn I could feel it beating in my stomach. It was getting dark out. No big deal, right?

"They'll be back." I kept telling myself.

As much as it sometimes seemed like Mum and Dad never listened to me (while Seville did), I still cared about them. I had a bad feeling that it wouldn't be long until I started regretting all the things I said to Mum just before she was going to tell me about leaving.

A week before...

I slammed the front door, storming into the house. Mum was standing at the counter in the kitchen, and when I approached, she turned fully to face me. I could hear Seville just coming in, cursing under his breath about me not holding the door open for him.

"What's wrong, Valerie?" Mum asked.

"I'm never going back there. Ever." I replied stonily, pulling out the chair at the table and sitting, my eyes glaring at nothing.

Mum sighed. "What happened this time?" She sat in the opposite chair.

"Dakota." I muttered, lifting my arm and pulling back the sleeve to reveal a huge bruise.

Mum gasped.

"She did it." I supplied, my voice sullen and weary.

I didn't cry like the first time, though. I was too used to it now.

Before Mum could say anything, Seville hurriedly came in to sit in another chair beside us both. "I-I would've done something, Mum," He stuttered lamely. "I-I just know you told me to-to never hit girls...and I..." His voice trailed off.

"Well, I certainly couldn't," I said bitterly, rubbing the bruise gently. "She nailed my swinging arm."

"Valerie," Mum said sternly, resting her hand against my arm. "we're going to the principal as soon as you-"

"The principal, Mum?" I exclaimed incredulously. "We did that at the beginning of the year! Dakota still beat me up! It's like Mrs. Marelle encourages it!"

"You know that's not true." Mum murmured.

"Well, that's sure what it seems like!" I snapped.

"Valerie's right, Mum." Seville agreed. "Mrs. Marelle does nothing. Sometimes I even see her standing off to the side of the playground as I pass her school. She stands there and watches kids get pounded on. She's evil. She's-"

"Seville Lovett, that's enough." Mum chided sharply, glaring at him.

"It's not just me." I suddenly felt defensive of my brother. "Do you realize how many of the guys on the street bully Seville for having the word "love" in his name? They say it's gay." I turned to Seville and smirked. "So when they put the nasty moves on me, I just tell them I'm a lesbian."

Seville laughed, as did I. We could sure lighten the mood...

But it was true. Even though I was only twelve years old, guys seem to be maturing way faster than I. And god, was it annoying!

Mum shook her head. "We're still going to the principal."

"But Mum-" My smile vanished immediately.

"End of story, Valerie." Mum said firmly, standing back up.

I stood up as well, facing her with my fists clenched. "You never listen!"

"You're luckier than you may think." She remarked, staring straight back at me now.

"Why?" I sneered.

"Because, it's the beginning of summer break." She looked mildly surprised.

My arms dropped to my sides. I had completely forgotten.

Seville grinned and stood up beside me, clasping his hand over my shoulder.

"And," Mum continued before I could say anything. "your father and I need to leave."

"Leave?" I looked up, startled.

"Do you remember Lisa?" Mum prompted.

I nodded. Lisa was this old friend of Mum's. Mum had invited her over for dinner this one night. She was nice, I guess.

"Her brother's friend Mark just passed away." Mum's words immediately went from stern to glum. "Your father and I are going to his wake and funeral. We're leaving you two here, and we're expecting you to be on your best behaviour."

I tried hard to restrain my smile. Seville and I, home alone, on summer break? The house was doomed, but besides that, awesome!

"Don't look too happy," Mum said irritably. "we're still going to speak with Mrs. Marelle at the beginning of the next school year."

My glare returned. "No way! Is it all about me being unhappy now?"

"Yes, way." Mum shot back. "And of course not, Valerie. You know I only want what's best for you."

"Yeah, right." I turned away, heading for the threshold to leave. "When you're ready to act like a mother who cares, I'll be in my room!" I ran for the stairs.

I locked myself in my room and didn't come out at all that night, only letting in Seville who brought me a plate of food from behind Mum and Dad's backs. Apparently, I lost the privilage of eating that night too.

I got up early the next day and put the plate in the sink before running back up and laying on my bed again to read. I don't think Mum knew. Or she just didn't care.

That wouldn't be surprising...

Now, sitting on the stairs of the front porch, I felt guiltier than ever. Why the hell had I said those things to her? I felt as though she deserved every insult I threw her way, but at the same time, I felt so horrible about it. Why hadn't this hit me days ago?

"Hey, Val." Seville's voice startled me.

I looked up to see him walking down the sidewalk towards the house. He crossed the driveway and made his way up the stairs to sit beside me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Sev." I rubbed my forehead at a sudden pain that went through it.

Oh yeah, I'm able to give myself headaches. Not a very good thing to have. I hated it.

"I'm just thinking about what I said to Mum when we came home from school at the end of the year." I murmured. "I..I'm not too crazy about myself right now."

"Oh, Val," He shook his head. "You know Mum still loves you."

"She didn't act like it then." I pointed out, confusion taking over me.

"So wait," He paused. "are you mad at yourself, or at her?"

I shoved him, though I knew I'd have no answer.

Seville didn't care though, and understanding flashed in his eyes for a brief moment.

I felt a surge of affection for him. It had been that night that the two of us sat in my room, in total silence, and Seville held an ice pack to my bruise. He sat there and held it for at least an hour.

Sometimes I never acknowledged the fact that he was one of the most dedicated brothers one could have. I was lucky to have him there for me, of all people.

"In any case," Seville went on, rolling his eyes all the while. "don't hate yourself." He got back up to his full height and headed for the door. "We'd best get inside. They're obviously not coming home tonight."

I nodded and silently followed him back into the house.

I decided to take a shower, to help calm down a bit. Because I certainly wasn't going to let Seville onto the fact that I was actually beginning to worry a bit.

I knew it was silly. It really was. But I had such a bad feeling all of a sudden...

I felt sorta weird as I went into the bathroom after getting some clean clothes to put on. Throughout the time I let the hot water wash over me, I kept having an odd need to place my hand on my head. It didn't hurt. It just felt strange. It was kind of a familiar feeling. I remembered feeling this way that one time, just before I...

Oh no.

I hurriedly rinsed out the conditioner from my hair, then turned the water off and pulled the shower curtain aside to get out. There was no way, no way in hell, I was going to let this happen again.

I fleetingly slipped into clean pajamas and made for the door, trying to fight it. But my head felt as though it were weighing me down, and my vision grew dark. I managed to yank the door open, but immediately after, my legs gave out from under me. I fell to the floor.

The last thing I remembered hearing was Seville's cry of alarm.

We all know cliff-hangers are only funny when you're the one making them. If anyone else besides yourself is doing it, it just sucks. X3 Don't worry, you wont be waiting long (for those who care, anyway.)

Yeah, I know I got no reviews on the last chapter. I decided to just go on and upload this next one, because nothing much happened in the last chapter, except for some more nervous, obvious signs of "I-know-something-you-don't-know-but-I'm-keeping-it-from-you-so-things-will-stay-interesting" from Seville.

So, this is really where things start getting a bit more exciting. And Sweeney will be making an appearance pretty soon. Gotta be excited about that, right?

Please do review!