Finally a new chapter… I've been swamped with unie work, family and other boring stuff. Now, however, it's summer and I have time to write..
Thank you Akshita, I'm glad you like it. I'm sorry it took so long for me to write more… but here it is!! Hope you enjoy!!
James was lead back to the house where he was thrown against a wall "thought you could get away did you?" the man hissed backhanding him across the face. James groaned but his eyes remained calm and cold. He'd been through enough of this crap to have become numb and he just really didn't have the energy to pretend to give a damn. The blond took the guy's punches and kicks in his stride. When he finally returned to his room though he crumpled onto the bed clenching his jaw. How much more could he take? Even better question would be, how much more did he want to take? The blond teen was just tired and really all he wanted was to just throw the towel in the ring. Hold up his hands and congratulate these people on the win before simply giving into the ever more desirable eternal rest. He closed his eyes and was soon into a deep and restless sleep.
The next morning the boy forced himself out of bed, his whole body aching. He was used to this however and simply went about his morning routine. When he entered the school he slipped into his act and headed towards his class. He joked around with his friends although all of them now seemed to realized that James' smile never reached his eyes. They wondered what happened last night after that guy came and took him.
"Mister Ford… solve this equation for us?" he asked. The blond rolled his sea-colored eyes. The teachers were still testing him? He smirked nodding "sure teach" he give his familiar answer and headed over to the board easily solving the math problem before him. No, math wasn't really his strong suit, but he didn't have any trouble with the easy stuff they taught in school, and if he did, he'd have more then enough time to get it sorted when he'd be alone in his room.
When the last bell rang the blond southerner and his new friends talked for while before it was time to go home. He sighed before entering the house slamming the door heading up to his room throwing his bag into a corner. He sat at his window-sill staring out onto the street below. He just sat like this for a good while. Then it had become time to fix diner and he reluctantly went into the kitchen grabbing what he'd need just as the front-door opened and a harsh "James" was called out. He groaned but turned "Yes?" he called back moving into the hallway. He frowned as John was joined by a little girl. James frowned tilting his head slightly.
"We have a new member for our little family" the man responded enjoying the look of horror on the young boys face. Taking in the girl had been his wife's idea, and who knows, it could be fun since James was almost old enough to leave. "Show her to the guestroom" he ordered. The boy simply nodded and turned to the small girl holding out his hand "let's go then sugar-pop" he forced a smile. The girl frowned slightly but, though hesitant, took his hand. The teen then took her upstairs to the spare room of the house and put her suitcase down. The girl looked around. James smiled "what's your name then princess?" he asked.
The girl looked up at him "Alley" she answered in a whisper.
The blond smiled "well, nice to meet you Alley, I'm James" he smiled at her. The girl returned his smile.
"I have to go fix diner now sweetheart, just get settled in" he said as he turned and headed back to the kitchen to get diner ready. When diner was finally over James sat in his room unsure what to make of the new arrival. What was he to do? He couldn't let these people break her down like they had him… what could he do? He groaned letting himself fall onto the bed staring up at the ceiling. Could his life become any stranger? He lay like this for a few hours just mulling over everything. Then the door to his room creaked open and the shuffling of feet could be heard. James sighed looking up. He frowned "What you doing here sugar-pop?" he asked. The little girl bit her lip uncertain now frozen as a deer caught in headlights. The blond smiled gently "s'alright princes, bad dream?" his southern accent filled the air. The girl nodded ever so slightly. The teen shifted slightly on the bed making room for the small child who hesitantly came forward and sat on the bed. She didn't really know what to think of this all yet.
Her parents had gotten killed in a car-accident a few weeks ago, and now she had been dropped here. The people seemed nice enough though and the older boy also seemed to want to help. She watched the boy "are your parents dead too?" she asked softly. James nodded "yeah princes, they are" he simply replied. The girl looked at him again and suddenly wrapped her small arms around the boys neck.
James was slightly taken aback by this. It just had been a long time since anyone had showed his any form of kindness. He had to try hard to suppress a groan and wince, but he smiled anyway as he returned the girl's hug. It wasn't long however since exhaustion had taken over the small child and she snuggled up against her new friend.
The young teen sighed. What had he gotten himself into now? He couldn't even help himself, let alone take care of someone else. He watched the little girl sleep in his arms before he gently picked her up and silently carried her to her own room tucking her in. It was in her best interest to just stay in her room. He then went to bed as well hoping he could just have one good night sleep.
When his alarm went of he groaned not wanting to open his eyes, he just really wasn't a morning person. He got up and took a long hot shower before he went into the kitchen and made breakfast. He sighed as he set the table. Then the rest of the family entered the room and sat around the table. The blonde sighed as he put the food on the table and waited for them to finish so that he could clean it all up. Then the girl looked at him with big eyes as he handed her a lunch bag. He held out his hand "Time for school sugar-pop" he smiled. The girl gave him a sceptical look before taking his hand and so they left the house and he took her to new school where he handed her over to her teacher who said she'd take it from there. He smiled, waved and then left for his own school lighting a cigarette. This was going to become interesting. Now he would be expected to take care of a little girl. How on earth was he expected to pull that of. He new nothing about little girls. Woman were easy… but little kids… that was a whole new ballgame.
He sighed as he deeply inhaled the smoke and ran a hand through his hair before he stepped into the high school building and headed to his locker to collect his books. He was wondering what more surprises would be thrown his way. He threw away his cigarette but and stretched his tired and aching body before strolling into class and slipped into his seat. The brunette girl next to him smiled "Hey… late again…?" she asked. He shrugged "Didn't feel like getting up sweetheart" he returned as he got out his books.
"Now that you have decided to join us Mr. Ford, why don't you solve the equation on the board" the teacher smiled.
James sighed but shrugged "Sure teach" he drawled lazily walking up to the board and writing out the numbers before sitting back down… James gave his class-mates and new friends a smile as he opened a book. =============
Thanks for reading! I hope it isn't too awful…. and that I could sway you to leave a review with helpful comments, ideas and constructive criticism….
Xxxx
Malou
