Hey guys, so it's been a long long time since I last updated but I really wanted to finish this story especially when it's almost done. I kind of lost a bit of motivation to write, that and sixth form is a complete bitch that I ended up with my brain going into shut down mode that I lost the ability to speak. Which was fun. Anyways here is the much awaited chapter.
(Jades POV)
"Will that be all Mrs?" I asked, putting a forced smile on my face. The woman stared at me for what felt like forever as she thought about the question I had just asked. All I had to was survive another hour then my shift was over, then I can get the hell out of this place. The woman blinked at me once and I could feel my resolve starting to crack. God I hate people. I hate this job and I defiantly hate this woman. Why can't she make up her god damn mind?
"No that'll be all" She finally said and I had to withhold my sigh of relief. I've already had two complaints about my hostility and I only have one more warning before they fire and I cannot lose this job.
"That'll be $32.54" I said, my voice monotonous as I read the amount from the till.
The woman rummaged around her bag before pulling out her purse. "Will this coupon work?" I internally groaned as I grabbed the coupon from her. I also hate coupons. I nodded after checking the coupon over and the woman handed me the money.
I forced the smile back onto my face as I handed her the bag of groceries "Have a nice day" The woman didn't even look at me as she walked away. Thankfully no one saw me glare at her retreating figure, she was probably an awful woman to everyone. I checked the time and saw the I had 56 minutes before I could leave and I couldn't wait to leave and go see Tori.
It had been a couple of weeks since I told Mom about what was going on with Lizzie and I knew back then that she wouldn't go down without a fight. I was right. Mom had spoken to Tori's Dad and told him everything. As much as I hated him for what he put Tori through, I had to give the man some credit when it came to his there was nothing stopping that man. His face had hardened and his eyes had gotten darker when he heard he was listening to my Mom talk and I couldn't help but wonder how many cases he had to deal with.
Then he wanted to speak to Lizzie, and I could feel the girl tense up from where she was sitting beside me and I didn't need to look over at her to know that her eyes were wide. She was terrified.
Lizzie sat beside me in a secluded area in the Hospitals canteen, her leg bouncing up and down nervously. I didn't want to tell her to stop, even though it was annoying it was a reminder that she was here next to me and not in Chicago with him.
Tori's Dad smiled at us as he sat down on the chair opposite us. It was one of those warm, comforting Father smiles that Lizzie and I weren't use to. It still worked though, I could feel my body begin to relax slightly.
"Hello Lizzie, Jade. My names Dave Vega," He started to say turning to address Lizzie. "And I just want to start off saying how terribly sorry I am for what you've had to grow up with"
Lizzie smiled weakly at him as that was all she could manage "Thank you sir"
"This is going to be difficult for you, but I want you to try and answer these questions for me" He said pulling out a recording device. "This is so we can have our best chance at building a case to help both you and your family"
She nodded and he took that as a sign to carry on. "How old were you when you first met Mr. Vega?"
"I was four, it was just my mom and I, then he showed up and they ended up getting married" Her voice was small as she spoke. I didn't want to listen to this story again, it hurt enough having to hear when Cat was saying it but now I have to hear Lizzie tell it. I couldn't sit through it, but I knew I had to.
"What happened while it was the three of you?"
"They got married after a couple of months of knowing each other. I didn't know why, but I didn't care. I had always been really close to my Mom but it had felt like something was missing. I remember her telling me that I had a Dad now and everything would be better" She took a shaky breath before continuing " I didn't see the bruises on her face then. I was too young to know any better. As long as my Mom was smiling at me everything was okay"
Lizzie moved her hands underneath the table, out of sight and I knew that they were shaking. "He didn't do anything to her while I was there, he was all smiles and kind of words. Once I was supposed to be asleep, and I could him yelling, her crying, things breaking. All of the things he was calling her. It got worse after that. Mom stopped coming home and I was left with him. Sometimes he forgot to feed me because he was too focused on work. I remember staying awake way past my bedtime for Mom to come home and cook something for me. One day she didn't. I didn't sleep that night"
The image of a young Lizzie watching the front door for a Mother that would never come home broke my heart and I clenched my fists to stop myself from doing anything.
"She died of an overdose, correct?"
"Yes, I don't know how long she was taking drugs or what drugs she was taking. Just that when she was on them she seemed happy"
He nodded. "What happened after that?"
"He dropped me off to live with his first family, with Joyce and Jade. It felt like I had not just lost one parent, but both of them"
"How old were you when he first hit you?" I was taken aback by how the blunt the question was but Lizzie answered it with no hesitation.
"I was six. It was the second time I went to go live with him. It was around the face and it hurt like hell. He did it because I showed him the picture that I drew of our family," The word family was said with so much sarcasm that Jade knew that Lizzie had been rehearsing for this question. "He ripped it up afterwards"
"How long did this carry on for?"
"Until yesterday"
The questions carried on like that, and Lizzie answered all of them and I was surprised with how brave she was being.
"One last question, why didn't you tell anyone about what was happening?"
"Because I already felt like a burden to them. Mom was always working so she could provide for the two of us, Jade didn't like me. I thought I was crazy. I didn't see the point because I was going to become what my Mom had ended up. And he told me not to. The only person I could manage telling was Cat"
Dave Vega nodded before reaching over and squeezing one of Lizzies hands "Thank you for that, and I promise you won't be ever going near that man again. Neither of you will be."
And everything seemed to be going well. Mom had managed to get a pretty decent lawyer who seemed to know what they were doing. Which is the reason why I had this job. Both me and Lizzie decided to get jobs to help Mom out and even though Mom said there was no need I could see the gratitude and relief in her eyes, making dealing with annoying customers worth it. I had managed to get a job in the supermarket, where the pay was fairly decent even though everything else about it sucked. Lizzie got a job teaching arts and craft to young children, making me thankful that I go the job that I did. Lizzie loved it though.
I quickly glanced towards the clock and breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed that I had 12 minutes left till I can go see Tori, and the guy who's taking over always shows up early. Tori was released from the hospital a few days ago and the only times that I left her side was to go to work and talk to lawyers. Things between us were going good, Tori was getting better, smiling more and more everyday which meant I smiled more. Her Dad and Trina stayed as well and I could tell Tori was happy to finally have her family back.
"Jade you can go now," My co-worker Mike said as he appeared beside me. I smiled a little as him as quickly walked to go get my stuff. I grabbed my phone and checked it seeing a couple of texts.
Lizzie-I'm ready for you to pick me up now
I quickly replied back before checking the last message. My smile growing when I saw Tori's name.
Tori- I can't believe I ever missed Trina . Helllpp mee!
I laughed at her text and quickly typed a message back before my phone away and getting in my car and driving to pick up Lizzie. Despite everything that had happened and everything still going on, life was good. Life is going to be good, great even. Whenever I use to think about the future it was a life without Tori and Lizzie and Cat, me on my own. Now though, no matter the situation me and Tori are happily together and Cat and Lizzie finally together. And for once I couldn't wait for the future.
I stopped the car beside Lizzie who was standing outside of her work and she hopped into the car, her paint covered face breaking out into a grin.
"Jade?" She said as I started to drive towards Tori's house.
"What?"
"What are you getting me for my birthday?"
"Your birthday is not for another four months"
"You should still be thinking about what to get me" Lizzie said as she started rubbing the paint on her face.
"I swear if you get paint on my car, you're paying to get it cleaned and going to start walking everywhere" I snapped and I could see her grin out of the corner of my eyes.
"Tori wouldn't let you do that to her best friend" She said dramatically.
"When did you become her best friend?"
"Since you can't be it, and Cat's your best friend meaning I'm Tori's," Lizzie explained "Which works because when you and Tori get married Cat will be your best woman and I'll be Tori's maid of honour"
I smiled a little, the thought of me and Tori getting married didn't cause me to have an internal freak out like it would've. Instead it was a warm feeling. "Or when you and Cat get married"
I smirked when I saw the blush on her cheeks as I stopped the car. She grumbled under her breath as she got out and headed towards the house, I followed her not helping the laugh that escaped my lips.
"Cat!" Lizzie said when she walked into the house and saw Cat sitting on the sofa with Tori and Trina "What are you getting me for my birthday?"
"It's a surprise" Cat said instantly and I shook my head at the pair, of course Cat had already thought out Lizzie's present months before.
"Ha!" Lizzie said to me, but I didn't bother replying. I looked over at Tori who was watching me with an amused glint in her eyes. I couldn't help but think about how beautiful she looked.
"Hey you" She said as I walked over to her.
"Hey" I said as I sat down beside her, smiling when her hand immediately went to mine. I ignored the gagging sounds Trina was making, even she couldn't ruin this moment.
"How are you feeling?" I asked rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb.
"Better, much better" She said and I smiled. Everything was much better.
There we have it. So what did you guys think of this chapter? I honestly don't know, I hope it's good enough for you guys. So the main angst is over now and everything just has to be resolved. So please leave a review and I'll see you all in the next one.