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CHAPTER 11
The next morning when Gabi woke up she felt a little rested. After talking to Paul she actually got some sleep last night and she was ready to go back to school today. Cassi and Gabi got up and got ready for school and then went to have breakfast.
"So did you sleep better last night?" Cassi asked as they sat down with bowls of cereal.
"I had one nightmare but I was able to fall back asleep."
"Really?" Emily asked.
"Well after I called Paul and talked to him I was able to fall back asleep." Gabi admitted.
"You're depending on Paul a lot," Emily said.
"I know," she sighed. "He's probably getting tired of me," she added.
"If Paul was getting tired of helping you he'd let you know, trust me on that," Emily told her and she nodded.
"He's supposed to pick me up for school," Gabi said. "You need a ride?" she asked Cassi.
"You think Paul would mind?" Cassi asked.
"Not if Gabi asked him to," Emily said.
"Emily, its not like that." Gabi said.
"I'm just saying, I think Paul would do almost anything you asked him to," Emily said and Gabi shook her head and took her empty bowl to the sink just as the door opened and Paul walked in.
"Morning," Paul said and he glanced over at Gabi.
"You look rested," Paul said.
"Yeah I slept really good last night," Gabi said. "Thanks." she added and he smiled.
"You ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah I just need to grab my bag," she said. "Can Cassi ride with us?"
"Sure," he said.
"Thanks," Cassi smiled.
A few minutes later the three of them walked out of Sam's.
"Of course you have a truck," Cassi said when she saw the rundown Chevy outside.
"Of course," Paul said. "Come on," he added.
"I'm not sitting in the middle," Cassi said.
"I don't mind sitting in the middle," Gabi said and walked over to the truck, Paul smiled and followed her. The three of them got in the truck with Gabi between Paul and Cassi and Paul started the truck and drove towards school.
When they got to school Cassi jumped out of the truck.
"I'm going to find Jake, you ok?" Cassi asked Gabi.
"I'll be ok," Gabi assured her, "We'll be right behind you."
"See you later," Cassi said and ran off.
"Come on," Paul said and the two of them got out of the truck and fell in step beside each other as they walked towards the school.
"So thanks for coming over last night," she said.
"I really didn't mind Gabriella," he told her and she smiled. "So you slept last night?"
"Yeah after I talked to you, I slept through the night," she told him and he smiled.
"Well I'm glad I could help Gabriella," he said. "And you actually fell asleep on me." he told her.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"I wasn't complaining." he told her.
"Paul," she said.
"Well I wasn't," he said.
"Well still, thanks."
"Anytime Gabriella," he said. "I have to work after school so I hope everything goes ok with the social worker."
"Me to Paul," she said as they stopped at her locker.
"Well I'll see you at lunch ok," he said.
"Ok Paul," she smiled and he walked away to get to his first class.
Gabi grabbed her books out of her locker and closed it. She turned to go to class and saw Embry was now standing in front of her.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning Embry."
"You look like you got some sleep last night."
"I did," she said.
"So you're ready for this afternoon then?"
"As ready as I'm ever going to be Embry," she sighed.
"Things are going to work out," Embry told her.
"I really hope so Embry," she said quietly.
At lunch Gabi walked in the cafeteria, Cassi was already sitting beside Jacob and all the other guys were there to. Gabi walked over and took the seat next to Paul.
"Hey," he smiled.
"Hey Paul."
"You going to eat?" he asked and Gabi glanced over at his tray of food, it looked like he had enough for about five normal people.
"No," she said.
"You should eat Gabriella, you have a long day ahead of you," he told her. "You have that appointment this afternoon."
"As much as I hate to agree with Paul, he is right Gabi," Embry said.
"I'm ok," she told them.
"Do you like cheeseburgers?" Paul asked.
"Yeah."
"Fries?"
"Yes," she said.
"Ok," he said and grabbed a napkin and took a cheeseburger off his tray and sat it on the napkin with some fries and slid it over to her. "Eat," he told her and all the guys looked shocked.
"You should feel special Gabi, Paul never shares his food with anyone," Jared told her and Gabi nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Shut up Jared," Paul growled and then he turned to Gabi. "Something to drink?" he asked. "Tea, water, juice?"
"Some kind of juice would be ok," she said.
"Ok," he said and stood up and went to get her something.
When he got up to get her something he stood there looking at the juice, there was apple, orange fruit punch and then some lemonade. He grabbed the lemonade and paid for it then walked back to the table and sat down and put the lemonade in front of her.
"You like lemonade?" he asked.
"Yes, thanks Paul," she said and he just smiled and went back to eating his lunch.
At the end of the day all the guys wished Gabi and Embry good luck since they were going to meet with the social worker. Sam was picking them up from school and Embry's mom was meeting them there. Paul was the only one that hadn't talked to them after school. Sam would be here any second and Embry and Gabi would have to leave. Gabi had really hoped to see him before she left. She let out a sigh and shook her head.
"You're nervous," Embry said.
"A little," she admitted. "I have no idea how this is going to go."
"Me either Gabi," Embry sighed.
"Gabriella!"
"Paul," Gabi said and turned around.
"I have to get to work but I just want to wish you and Embry good luck today with the social worker." he said and Gabi smiled.
"I'm really nervous Paul," she admitted.
"I know you must be but just tell the truth Gabriella, answer all the social workers questions honestly," he told her. "Don't hold anything back because you're afraid of hurting your mom."
"Ok," she whispered.
"I'll be home by ten, you can call me and tell me how it went if you want," he said.
"Thanks Paul," she said.
"Well I have to go, I'll talk to you later," he said and she nodded and he ran off towards his truck.
Sam drove Embry and Gabi to the office they were meeting the social worker at. Everyone would be going in separately to talk of course. When Gabi went inside the room she saw a woman who looked to be late twenties, early thirties. She had short dark hair and wore a pair of thin framed glasses, she looked to be about average height sitting down and she was thin and pretty.
"Gabriella Carter," she said. "Please have a seat." she added and Gabi sat down.
"I'm Julie Mills," she said. "I know you must be nervous but we really are here to help you," she told her. "Why don't you start by just telling me what's going on and I'll ask questions when I need to."
"Alright." Gabi whispered. "Well I live with my mom and…"
"What's your moms name Gabriella?" Julie asked.
"Can you please call me Gabi?"
"Of course," Julie smiled. "Your moms name?"
"Hannah Carter." Gabi said.
"Ok, go on Gabi," Julie said. "So I live with my mom, Hannah. She always either has these men over at our house or she is either at their house."
"Gabi I may know what you mean but I need you to tell me for the record."
"She sleeps with them, has sex with them." Gabi said and Julie nodded. "She's not home a lot either."
"So you take care of yourself then?" Julie asked.
"Mostly I do," Gabi admitted. "She doesn't even seem to want me around, she kind of made a pass at one my friends from school."
"And what is this friends name?" Julie asked.
"Paul Lahote," she said and Julie nodded. "He actually told her no and he was with me the other night when, I think she would have hit me if he hadn't stopped her, she was mad about this, me trying to get out of her house and she drew her hand back."
"Has she ever hit you Gabi?"
"No."
"Lets talk about the rape Gabi, ok."
"Ok," Gabi whispered and shifted uncomfortably.
"It happened in your home."
"Yes, he is one of the guys my mom sleeps with."
"Your mom knows this happened?"
"Yes and she doesn't seem to care, told me I couldn't be a virgin forever." Gabi said quietly. "My mom was more upset I broke her bowl than what happened to me."
"Did anyone else happen to hear this."
"Sam Uley and Paul."
"Paul's name seems to be coming up a lot," Julie said. "Is he the one helping you out."
"I have a few people helping me out, Sam and Emily my best friend Cassi…"
"But is Paul the one you're talking to the one you seem to trust."
"Yes he is."
"Ok Gabi," Julie said. "I need to ask you, do you want to be out of your house?"
"Yes, I really want out," Gabi said.
"Would you like to live with your aunt and Cousin, Lisa and Embry Call?"
"Yes I would," Gabi said.
"Ok Gabi, that's it for now, I'm going to talk with Embry and Lisa now ok," she said and Gabi nodded. "And you can go now."
"Thank you,"
"I'll be in touch after I talk to Embry and Lisa," she said.
"Ok," Gabi said quietly and stood up and walked out of the room.
"Is everything ok?" Embry said and she nodded.
"She should be out for you or your mom in a minute."
"Alright." Embry said and Julie walked out.
"Embry, come on in." Julie said.
"Are you ready?" Sam asked her.
"Yeah, she said I could go and that she would be in touch." Gabi told him.
"Ok," Sam said and took up.
"Gabi," Lisa said. "I'd like to talk to you for a minute alone, if that's ok."
"Ok," she agreed.
"I'll wait outside for you," Sam told her and she nodded and then walked over and sat by Lisa.
"Gabi," Lisa said. "I had no idea what was going on with Hannah," she told her. "Why didn't you tell someone?"
"I didn't think anyone would care," she said quietly.
"People do care Gabi ad are willing to help you but sometimes you do have to ask."
"I know." she said. "I appreciate you being willing to let me live with you."
"You are family Gabi," she told her. "And family should be there for each other and help each other out." she sighed. "Hannah's never been responsible."
"As soon as everything is settled, Embry and all the boys will help you pack all your stuff up and move it in."
"Ok," she sighed. "Aunt Lisa, do you know anything about my father?" she asked.
"Gabi, that is better left alone," she told her.
"Just answer one question honestly for me about him, please."
"Alright," she sighed.
"Is he really dead?" Gabi asked.
"WHAT!" Lisa exclaimed, "Hannah told you he was dead," she shook her head. "Gabi your father is not dead he's very much alive."
"Ok," she said.
"I can't believe….I guess I shouldn't be shocked at anything Hannah does." she said quietly. "You're going to Sam and Emilys right?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Ok, I'm sure Embry will be by later, he always drops by Sam's."
"Ok, I'll see you later then," Gabi said and turned and walked out of the room.
Sam was waiting for her outside.
"Everything ok?" he asked.
"Its fine Sam," she said softly.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah," she said and Sam led her to the car and the two of them got in and he drove to his house.
Gabi lay awake in bed that night thinking about what Lisa had told her, her father wasn't dead. She knew her mom was lying to her, she just wondered why. Gabi glanced over at the clock and saw it was 10:30. Paul said he would be home at ten and that she could call him, maybe he wouldn't be to tired from work. Gabi sat up in bed and grabbed her phone and called Paul.
"Hello," he answered.
"Paul, you were sleeping," she said.
"Yeah but its ok, I was hoping you would call me," he said.
"Oh," she said.
"So how did it go?"
"It seemed to go ok, she said she'd be in touch after she talks to Lisa and Embry, so hopefully we'll hear something soon."
"I hope so Gabriella," he said.
"Me to," she sighed. "So I talked to my Aunt Lisa today and she told me my dad wasn't dead like my mom told me."
"Really?" Paul asked. "You said you didn't believe he was dead."
"But she won't say anything else just that it was better left alone."
"Are you ok?" Paul asked.
"I'm fine," she sighed.
"You sure, I can come over." he said.
"There's really no reason for you to do that Paul," she told him.
"There is if you want me to," he said.
"Don't worry about me Paul, I'll see you at school tomorrow," she told him.
"I'm coming over, I'll be in the back yard in like less than five minutes," he told her and hung up, giving her no time to argue. Gabi let out a sigh and made her way outside to meet Paul.
Gabi walked outside and sat down on the porch to wait for Paul. He showed up as soon as she sat down and sat down next to her.
"You know hanging up on me and giving me no time to argue was kind of rude."
"I know but maybe I just wanted to see for myself you were ok," he said and she smiled.
"Paul," she said.
"What are you going to do now that you know your dad is alive and out there somewhere?"
"Nothing I guess."
"Why?"
"Well Lisa said it was better left alone."
"Lisa says its better to just leave your dad alone and not bother with him basically and your mom wanted you to believe your dad is dead," he said. "Kind of makes you wonder what they're hiding."
"I know but I have other things to worry about now." she told him.
"I know," he said. "So want a ride to school tomorrow?" he asked.
"Sure," she smiled.
"Maybe we could hang out a little after school if you want," he said hopefully.
"Where would we go?"
"It doesn't matter," he said. "The beach, a walk in the woods."
"I heard there were wolves in the woods," she said nervously.
"You have no reason to be afraid of the wolves Gabriella, they're here to protect you, they would never hurt you," he told her.
"How do you know?"
"I just know ok," he told her. "Just trust me ok."
"Alright," she said. "We'll hang out tomorrow."
"Ok, so I'll see you in the morning for school."
"See you in the morning Paul." she said. "Good night."
"Good night Gabriella."
The next day Gabi was sitting with the guys and Cassi at lunch when her cell phone rang.
"Who could be calling me?" she said and dug her phone out of her bag. "Hello."
"Gabi its Sam."
"What's wrong Sam?"
"The social worker called. They want all of us to come back again today in front of the judge, I've already talked to Lisa and she'll be there and I just need you to tell Embry, Lisa will be there to get you two with changes of clothes."
"Ok Sam," she said.
"Are you with Paul?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Can I talk to him please."
"Sam wants to talk to you." she said and handed her phone to Paul.
"What is it Gabi?" Embry asked
"Social worker wants us back today, your mom is picking us up after school."
"Ok," Embry said.
"Sam, what is it?" Paul asked.
"I need you to do your normal patrol today instead of switching with Embry," Sam told him. "He has to go with Gabi back to the social worker." he told him and Paul stood up and walked a few steps away where Gabi couldn't hear him.
"Sam I had plans with Gabriella this afternoon," he told him.
"Well she's going to be with the social worker," Sam pointed out.
"Not all afternoon," Paul said. "Sam."
"Just make plans with her for tomorrow ok," Sam told him. "I really need you to patrol with Jake today."
"I'm patrolling tomorrow to Sam," he said.
"Embry will cover you tomorrow," Sam told him.
"Ok Sam," he said and hung up. He walked back over and sat down by Gabi and handed her the phone.
"Everything ok?" she asked.
"Yeah Gabriella its fine," he sighed.
"We have to go back to meet with the social worker again, I think maybe in front of a judge this time," she said. "Things seem to be moving fast."
"Yeah they do," Paul said. "But maybe that means you'll be out of your house soon."
"I hope so," she said. "So I can't meet you right after school, maybe afterwards."
"I can't Gabriella, I have to go to work after school, I just got called in, they need me."
"Oh," she whispered. "Ok."
"Tomorrow Gabriella ok," he said.
"Alright." she said. "Whatever."
"Gabriella, I'm sorry ok, but you can call me like you did last night and tell me how it went ok."
"I won't bother you Paul," she said quietly.
"You don't bother me Gabriella, don't think that," he told her. "Call me tonight, I'll be at home by ten, probably before."
"Ok," she whispered.
When lunch was over Embry caught up with Paul before he could leave.
"You're covering for me today," Embry stated.
"Yep," Paul said.
"What were you and Gabi going to do anyway?"
"I don't probably just go to the beach, she was supposed to decide." Paul told him.
"I know Gabi seemed to be looking forward to hanging out with you this afternoon."
"I guess so," Paul sighed. "Hopefully I won't have to cancel on her tomorrow to," he added and walked away.
After school Gabi and Embry changed into the clothes Embry's mom had brought for them.
"Everything is going to be ok, try to relax," Embry told her.
"I am," she sighed. "Maybe all this will be over soon."
"I hope so Gabi,"
When they got to the courthouse they all went inside. Each of them sat one by one with the judge, talking over the same things they talked over with the social worker. A few hours later, Embry, his mom, Gabi and her mom were all sitting in the court room with the judge and the social worker.
"Ok, I'm faced with a difficult decision, placing a teenager in a home away from her parent." she began. "Taking a child away from a parent at any age is always difficult but in this case after hearing everyone talk and listening to what is going on it has made my decision easier," she told them. "Also having a family member willing to take Gabi in makes the decision a lot easier that it could have been." she said and Gabi looked over at Embry nervously and he took her hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I have made my decision, effective immediately," the judge said. "Gabriella Carter will be removed from her mothers home and allowed to live with her Aunt, Lisa Call at least until the age of eighteen," the judge said and Gabi let out a relieved sigh and smiled and laid her head on Embry's shoulder. "Now as for you Ms. Carter," the judge said and turned to look at Gabi's mom. "My suggestion for you is that you stop acting like a girl in her twenties and grow up and take responsibility for your actions," the judge told her. "Or things could get a lot worse for you." the judge said. "I better not see you in my courtroom again," she told her. "Ok, tomorrow Gabriella may start moving all of her things out of her house and you Ms. Carter, will not interfere or try to stop her from taking anything that is hers or cause any trouble," the judge told her. "Or there will be consequences."
"Its finally over," Gabi sighed relieved.
"Yes, tomorrow after school we'll help you start packing up," he said and she nodded.
Embry and Gabi went to Sam's after the judge let them go to tell everyone the news. Everyone was there except Jacob and Paul, they were working but Gabi had called Cassi and asked her to meet them there so she could tell everyone.
Embry and Gabi walked in and everyone turned to look at them.
"So?" Cassi asked.
"I can move my stuff in with Embry and Aunt Lisa tomorrow," Gabi said.
"Thank god," Sam said.
"We'll all be there to help you," Sam told her.
"Thanks," Gabi said. "The more people I have to help the quicker I can get out."
"I'm so happy you're finally getting out," Cassi told her. "I'll help you decorate your new room," she added.
"Thanks," Gabi smiled.
That night Gabi waited for time to call Paul she actually wanted to tell him what happened, she was happy, she was getting out of her house for good, after tomorrow she's never have to go back. She picked up her phone and called Paul.
"Gabriella," he said. "I was fixing to call you, I want to know how it went."
"Well…"
"You know what I'm on my way meet me outside," he said and hung the phone up. Gabi smiled and made her way outside to meet Paul.
Gabi was standing on the back porch when Paul walked up.
"So?"
"I can move in with Embry and his mom tomorrow," she told him and he smiled.
"That's great Gabriella!" he said happily.
"I know we were going to hang out tomorrow but I was hoping maybe we could do it after that." she said. "You'll be able to help me move my stuff out won't you?"
"Gabriella I wish I could but they need me to work tomorrow again, I'm so so sorry."
"Its fine Paul," she said. "I guess you're busy all weekend to."
"Yes, Gabriella, I'm working all weekend to," he told her.
"Ok," she said quietly. "But I would appreciate it if you would just tell me if you didn't want to spend time with me or if you're getting tired of helping me instead of telling me you have to work," she said sadly.
"Gabriella no, please don't think that, I really do have to work and I wish I could be there to help you tomorrow and hang out with you this weekend but I can't, I really do have to work."
"Well if that's true, you need to tell your boss to give you a day off," Gabi said and Paul smiled.
"I'll give him the message," Paul smiled. "Gabriella, I'll pick you up tomorrow for school ok."
"Ok," she said quietly. "But don't go to any trouble for me."
"Gabriella, I…." he said. "please don't hate me I'm sorry I have to keep cancelling on you maybe Monday after school…"
"You'll have to work to," she said. "I'm going to bed Paul," she told him and turned away and walked inside. Paul watched her walk away feeling horrible that he hurt her and that she thought he didn't want to spend time with her because spending time with her is all he wanted to do and in the morning he was definitely going to give Sam Gabi's message about him needing a day off. He let out a sigh and turned and walked away heading back to his house, he would see Gabi in the morning before school and do everything he could to fix things with Gabi because he couldn't let her think he didn't care or want to spend time with her.