"Stop it!"
Sounds travels from the bottom of stairs to his small room. He isn't startled by the sounds, though. The boy was curious. He threw the blankets of him and trudged lightly toward the cracked door.
''Don't.''
The voice came from behind him. It was soft and innocent. He turned to see his new roommate, sitting up in her bed and alert, staring at him. She had pleading eyes. He stared at them for a moment, but eventually turned away. He slowly opened the door and cracked it behind him.
The little boy didn't know that his decision would haunt him forever.
He moved towards the steps and stopped.
"SHUT UP!"
"Don't get all mad at me because you can't hold a job."
The sound of dishes crashing on the floor and a scream. Pleads follow the screams. By this time the boy is at the bottom of the stairs watching the frightening shadows thrust around the kitchen violently. He takes a step and another dish falls, followed by shaky scream. He takes another step, slowly started to regret getting out of bed, ignoring the girls warning, and going down the stairs.
Now, he's one step away from the entrance of the kitchen. Fear strikes his stomach like a boxer hitting a punching bag. He shakes it off and takes that last bold step into the front of the kitchen. The scene in front of him is one he's seen a million times before. His 'mother' was holding a broom, pointing it at his 'father'. His huge hands had a deep red substance dripping from them.
His 'mother' spotted him first. Her eyes went wide, causing 'father' to turn to see what she was looking at. As soon as he turn to look at the boy everything went in slow motion. His stern eyes softened immediately at the sight of his 'son'. The boy stared back at his dad blankly.
Suddenly, something appeared behind the young boy's 'father'. It hit him upside his head, hard. He hit the refrigerator, but recovered quickly. He turned around to swing on her, but stopped himself. Instead he backed away from her and put his hand on the boy's shoulders. The red substance stained his pj's and wet his skin underneath.
''You. Leave. Now."
The words came out his 'father's' mouth so harsh and stern the little boy thought he should leave.
The next events happened so quick only images could be remembered.
The carpet.
A foot.
Blood.
The boy curled up in a ball trying to block out the violent sounds around him.
/.
The memory faded to the back of my mind. I don't know why I thought of it all of a sudden. I shake of the immense feeling of fear the memory left and invite them in. They look like a real nervous bunch. I smirked to myself and ushered them to the living room. The four of them sat carefully on the couch.
''So,'' I say standing in front of the couch, ''someone wanna tell me why you are all here.''
Jerry rose to his feet and took a deep breath. His mouth opened, but no words came out. Just silence. He closed it and tried again. I sighed deeply and folded my arms.
Grace shot up, ''what he's trying to say is that he's sorry and he's trying to get his life back on track.''
Jerry shook his head vigorously in agreement. Silence filled the living room.
''Whoa. Jackie there's a lot of people in the...''
Her little body entered the living room. She saw me first of course and walked up to me, clutching me leg with her small hands. Grace and Kim smiled at the sight of her. Jerry stared longingly while Eddie and Milton seemed to be having a private conversation.
I looked down at Maria who was staring at Jerry.
"Jerry?" she asked with cute tilt of her head.
On cue, Jerry rose to his feet and walked around the low sitting coffee table to stand in front of me.
''I'm sorry, Jack. I'm so sorry. I'm not good enough for her, you or any of my friends. It's just... No one's taught how to live right. I mean, I've been partying and living like this since I was fifteen. This also isn't the first time I've dumped Maria on some to stay with them until I show up again. But I'm willing to change if you help me.''
This was a side of Jerry that I haven't seen, but I didn't let my hard expression falter.
''Jack, p-please talk to me.''
I stared him in his dark pupils.
''I-''
I grabbed him before he could say another word and hugged him. After a few seconds of shock he hugged me back.
''What? I thought you'd be pissed?'' his voiced cracked.
''No.. I'm happy... because your home.''
He quietly sobbed in my shoulder and just chuckled. Suddenly, more hands wrapped themselves around me and Jerry. Before I knew it we were all having a group hug.
Talk about cheesy.
When we all pulled away, they randomly started giggling.
''Everyone...'' we all looked at Eddie expectantly, ''I brought the good stuff.''
He then held up a long sender bottle with fancy cursive on it. His smile was so wide I thought is was hurting him. Then, with Kim and Grace in tow, he went into the kitchen.
''Thanks, man. You don't know how much this means to me.'' he replied wholeheartedly.
''I'm not the person you should be apologizing to.'' I said looking down at my shin where Maria was staring up at us.
She tenderly let go and reached out for Jerry. He picked up so quick hugging her tight. I smile and pat him on the back. I walk toward the kitchen to see Eddie pouring Grace a glass.
''Hey hey,'' I say taking her glass, ''save some for the rest of us.''
I gulp down the drink earning a burning throat. Its been a while since I had any type of alcohol.
''You okay? You look like your about to throw up.'' Kim reptiles with her small hand on my lower back.
I nod and set down the glass, ''its just been a while.''
Kim nods expectantly, while Grace stares at us with a small smirk.
''What's going on with you two?" She asked, glancing at my sweatshirts and boxers that Kim has on.
''Nothing. How you been?" I say, trying get the attention off me.
''Oh, no you don't we're talking about you two not me.'' She countered.
''Kim and I...''
I paused because I really didn't know what to make of our relationship now. I guess we're friends, but then the I look at her when she's not looking say otherwise. Her mood swings lately have dulled a bit and we done a bit of sharing of our feelings. I didn't tell her though that I'm in love with her. I also didn't say anything about my weird one night stand with her mom. That would crush her and weird her out. It's really been bugging me lately, though, because she looks just like her mom. I'm really just confused now.
''Well?"
I almost forgot Grace was there. She had a determined look on her face and Kim wasn't jumping at the chance to help me.
Thanks a lot, Kim.
''Well, we are...''
''Dude, I hope you save some for me.''
Jerry burst in the kitchen with Maria on his hip and a bright smile on his face. Everyone's attention shifted to the two new and brightly smiling face in the kitchen while I took a deep breath
Thank you, Jerry.
Uh, hey? I come with a white flag *waves white flag* and a HUGE apology. I started a lot of new stuff recently and honestly haven't had the time. So I so sorry for neglecting you all of this story. Shoutout to blame it on my ADD baby! And I don't say this often enough, but I love you all who have stuck with me through this story. It means the world to me.
Oh, and did anyone see Wasabi Forever? I know I'm late, but they KISSED and it was so cute. And the cherry blossoms, it was just too much for me to handle. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please Review and favorite, thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin' it.
