Ch 9

A few weeks later I was walking again. It didn't help that Winter Formal has getting closer. After all, Christmas was just around the corner.

But I still had other things to take care of. For one thing, Shelly was being picked on at school because of me. Cork was by her side but I still worried for my sister. Kale and Chip ditched class a few times to check on them both. I was happy that Kale was helping me out. I only feared that Hailey would find out sooner or later.

Within a month, my suspicions were confirmed when I heard Kale yelling at her. Suddenly she screamed and Kale dumped her, saying he never loved her in the first place. My lips curled into a smile. He had finally left the drama queen in a ditch of despair.

"Kale!" I yelled, waving my good hand when I saw him. I still had my other arm in a cast.

He smiled. "Hey Ariella." He gave me a comforting hug. "Good to see you're doing better every day."

"You bet. My dad is still watching your ex though."

"I'm guessing you heard that." He pointed a thumb behind himself.

I nodded. "The whole town will know by tomorrow about what happened."

Kale grinned. "Who cares? I'm just ecstatic to be away from her at last!" the jock exclaimed, arms in the air.

"You being happy aside," I said, catching his attention. "I need to find out a few things about Gillen Krulny."

He raised an eyebrow. "What about him? He never comes out of his house except to buy equipment at the hardware store."

I sighed. "Either way, Cork is growing concerned about his mother."

"Why Mrs. K? She's a nice person."

"Mr. Krulny is becoming a little violent toward her. Cork told me everything." I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth. "She's being beat for no reason."

Kale held me in his arms. "Let's go find out why."

"Daph and Chip are waiting outside my door?" I stared at my sister. "Right now?"

Shelly nodded. "They said they're waiting for you and Kale."

"Alright then," Kale said suspiciously. "Let's meet them downstairs then."

Yes, I had taken Kale to my house after school. No, Shelly was never told about the plan. Triple no, Chip and Daphne never knew either. Kale and I secretly told Cork on our way home about it. It was the only way to let him know we needed in his house. Cork immediately agreed.

"About time you got down here," Daphne said impatiently after my front door shut.

"Will you be quiet!" Chip yelled in a whispered hush. "We can't get caught."

"Says the guy who knows nothing about what's going on." I crossed my arms on my chest, glaring at my friend. "Awkward much?"

Both Daphne and Chip stared at me. Kale was smirking.

"What?" Chip exclaimed. "I kinda, sorta, maybe overheard you and Kale talking to Cork about sneaking into the Krulny house tonight." He just scored a ten on the Guilt Meter.

"When I say I need your help, I'll tell you." I eyed Daphne. "Cork is reliable enough to open the door for us without getting caught."

"You also have a broken arm still." Daphne eyed me.

"At least her legs are working though." Kale suddenly had my back. "Because we don't mouths for this."