So I had this whole thing written out...and ya know what? It erases it. Ugh. Basically: every chapter in one document is up to over two hundred pages, yey, yadda yadda yadda. I don't feel like typing all that again. I've got homework. Ya know what? I posted this story up here me and my friend wrote for a class, and they took it off for not being in the right category. It was in Misc. Like, where else am I supposed to put it? Gosh. Whatever. Now I'm mad again.
Anyways, enjoy and please remember to REVIEW!
Also, I realized that I signed off Anni23 instead of Anni12 :3 whoops.
~Anni12
P.S. Chapter 16 might not be up as soon as y'all'd like because this is about as far as I've planned except for the main conflict, so I've gotta figure out how to fill the space. So, it'll be a while, but I promise I'm workin' on it. Also, my birthday's in three weeks :3 Just sayin.
...REVIEW! Por favor?
Chapter 15:
This was not happening. Tell me this was not happening!
Josh cursed once more, clenching his fists so tightly they turned white.
He ducked to the right, a light enveloping his body. I gasped quietly as my eyes widened. The light disappeared, leaving a very cross black wolf in its place. His ears were pinned to the back of his head, the fur on his back standing as he growled at the bear, showing large fangs.
My wolf.
J.
Josh.
Josh was my wolf. My wolf was Josh. They were the same.
Anger suddenly flared inside me. Why couldn't he tell me that? I had asked him, and he lied to me.
The bear stumbled, surprised by his change in… species, but it didn't faze Josh. He darted to the right, disappearing in the forest for a split second before I saw his eyes peeking out at me. The bear stood, roaring as it looked around for him. It turned in a full circle until its back was to the wolf. Josh took the opportunity, dashing out from the trees, closing his jaws around the bear's hind legs.
It roared in anger, turning and swiping at him with a paw, but Josh easily dodged away from it. He barred his blood-stained teeth as the bear limped towards him, his legs pouring out blood.
I shivered, and I was sure it wasn't because of the cold. Blood. I had never seen so much. Involuntarily, a squeak escaped my lips. The wolf's head snapped towards me, worry swirling in his eyes, momentarily taking his attention off his attacker and onto me.
A moment was that was needed
The grizzly swung its massive paw again, catching Josh in the right shoulder. I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming as the force sent him flying into the tree, yelping.
I expected him to get up.
He didn't get back up.
His head flopped to the side, his eyes barely open. I began to panic, my heart racing. He couldn't be dead, could he? Werewolves were immortal… right? A faint, weak howl sounded from the wolf's muzzle. It was my fault. This couldn't be happening. If only I hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have looked at me, and he would've dodged that blow. Other, stronger howls answered him, and it suddenly dawned on me that his 'family', or pack, could also be wolves.
The bear stopped in its tracks, standing as it looked around for the backup, roaring. A growl came to my ears as a light blur tore through the woods, catching the bear in the stomach. It staggered back a few steps, blood staining its chestnut fur as it roared at nothing. It dropped back down on all fours as a light golden brown wolf jumped back away from it. Soon, six other wolves flanked it. One grayish-blue wolf locked eyes with me and a wave of déjà vu passed over me.
Adam.
He's my—nevermind. I don't want to tell you that.
The wolf was Adam. I knew. Josh's little brother. The one that had talked to me yesterday. I gulped, panic spreading through me again. So they were wolves. All of them. Adam turned back to the bear, snarling. When the bear saw the small pack, it closed its mouth, stepping back. The light wolf leapt, catching its nose in her mouth. The growling suddenly stopped as they all stared at her. It was the same wolf that had come up to me and J, well, Josh, in the middle of the night. The bear was confused as well, swinging its paw lightly to slap her off. She landed on her side, close to Josh, but immediately stood back up, shaking herself off and growling. The bear glanced around the family of wolves, its eyes widening slightly. It knew it wouldn't really stand a chance against all of them. The light wolf jumped at it, barking. It flinched, ultimately turning and running.
"Iya, what the heck was that?" The voice of Josh's father said, a hint of humor hidden in it.
I glanced over in time to see a light cloak the golden wolf, disappearing and leaving a smiling Iya in its place. She laughed, glancing at him. "Levi's been watching a lot of lion documentaries on Animal Planet and forcing me to watch them. They try and suffocate their prey. I thought I'd try it out." She explained. My throat closed up as my heart rate increased. Slowly, I backed away, glancing at Josh. His begging eyes stopped me in my tracks.
Don't be scared. Please. He whined. I stumbled, taking another step back. His eyes flashed back towards his family, growling and barking at them. They turned towards him before all of them turned towards me. I locked eyes with Iya before my hands started shaking and I turned and ran.
There had always been a part of me that didn't believe J. That didn't believe that he was really there. That he might just be a figment of my imagination out of my loneliness. My desperation for someone to talk to, someone to protect me and take care of me. And now that I knew it was real—or I was just plain crazy—there was no doubt left.
Josh and his family were werewolves.
And I was on the verge of locking myself in a padded room with one of those jackets that made you hug yourself.
Suddenly the golden wolf—Iya—stood in front of me, and in the next second, the 'human' Iya was. She held her hands up as in surrender. Something cold hit my hand, and it was then I realized I was crying. I stepped back, shaking my head. "Danny, wait, just let us explain. It's not as bad as it looks. I promise." She said, taking a slow step forward.
I shook my head again. "I'm going crazy." I muttered and her eyes widened. I took a deep breath. "You know, I thought he was dead for a second." My voice cracked at the mere thought of it. "I—I thought I'd never see him again, and it was all my fault. And for a second, I was okay with him lying to me."
"No!" She cut me off and I slowly made eye contact with her, but I knew they were dead. "He wasn't lyin' ta you. None of us were."
I sighed. "I asked him. I asked him if he was my wolf that kept showing up. He said no. He lied to me." I closed my eyes, shaking my head. "Nevermind. He is… he is going to be alright… right?" I asked, my voice breaking.
Okay. Okay. It's okay. Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out. You're alright. You're alright. Everything's fine.
She waved her hand in the air as if it were nothing. "Yea, yea. He'll be fine. We heal fast. Just a couple a stiches to stop the bleedin' and he'll be fine in a few days." She locked eyes with me. "But he needs ya, Danny. He ain't gonna live with himself if he thinks he hurt ya or scared ya in any way. Please, please come back with me."
I let out a shaky breath, nodding. "Alright," I agreed. "But don't expect me to speak to anyone, alright?" I growled, pointing a finger at her.
Her eyes widened and she nodded. "Of course. C'mon." she said, guiding me back towards the ranch.
Okay, so I had found out who J was. I could handle that. No more secrets. Now he could tell me all about those not… normal… things. Like that pull I always felt between us, or the need to touch all the time. It would explain why he would growl an animal-like growl or why he avoided my questions so much. It explained why he was so protective of people. It explained why J wasn't there whenever Josh was. What it didn't explain was why he talked to me in the first place, or why he continued to talk to me and choose me over Destiny.
"I got 'er!" Iya yelled, bringing me out of my thoughts as she dragged me into the house. A bark immediately answered her, along with multiple growls and snarls.
Danny! Let me go! Josh growled. Ow! Stop! Lemme go! I have ta speak ta 'er! He growled, and I don't think he realized I could hear him.
"Iya, you are not helpin'!" Gail growled. "Joshua! Stay still or yer gonna make it start bleedin' again!"
No! Just lemme go! He snarled. I could hear it all the way from here. Iya led me into the kitchen where Josh lay on the table with all of the boys holding him down as Gail tended to his shoulders. He whined as soon as he saw me, thrashing around widely. Cormac growled as he held him down. Ouch! He yelled as Gail cursed.
"Well if ya'd stop movin' around so much, I could finish this and we'd be done!" She yelled. I took a step back, my breath catching in my throat as I gazed at him. "Goodness, Josh! Just stay still for one second!"
"Iya, I need somethin' ta get 'em ta calm down. He ain't gonna listen ta me." Gail said, nodding towards the cabinets. Iya nodded, going towards him. Josh whined again, scratching at the table, gazing up at me with those bright blue eyes. As I stepped back, hurt flashed across his eyes.
Suddenly, he growled, turning his head to snap at his mother's fingers. Ouch! What the crap was that?! He snarled.
She wacked him in the nose, making him recoil. "Joshua! Stop that! Calm down for one minute, alright?!" She snapped, glaring at him. His head suddenly dropped along with his eyes, his whole body relaxing.
"Haha!" Iya gave an evil laugh, holding up a syringe, an evil smirk spreading across her face. "He is never gonna live that down!" She laughed, bouncing slightly. I relaxed, hardly realizing I had been scared.
"Iya…" Cormac said slowly, holding up his hands as he started towards her.
"Stand back!" She screamed, holding the needle at him.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Calm down, Iya. There ain't no need for any violence here." He joked.
"Okay, okay, you two." Gail said, smiling and shaking her head. "Could one of ya show Danny up ta Josh's room? I don't think she needs ta see this."
Iya nodded, never taking her eyes off Cormac, and vice versa. "What would happen if I just," she lunged at Cormac, but he jumped back, growling, "poked Cormac with this?"
"I'll hold 'em back!" Coffeeblue yelled, taking Cormac's arms and pulling them behind his back. Cormac growled again, trying to free himself, but Coffeeblue would not let up.
"Perfect!" Iya said, laughing again as she set the needle down on the table, lashing out with her fingers.
"Stop!" Cormac laughed, trying his hardest to get away from them. "Help! Stop! I'm bein' attacked by two girls! Adam! Levi! Kyler! Help!"
"Gotcha!" Adam yelled as he wrapped his arms around Iya's waist, pulling her away from Cormac. Iya squealed, kicking and screaming.
"I put Hanna down for a nap, and Kyler and Levi are…what the crap is goin' on here?" Peter said as he entered the kitchen, staring at the kids. A small smile played on my lips as I studied his confused expression.
All of them froze, turning their attention to him. Cormac pouted, trying to pull away from his twin again. "Iya and Coffeeblue attacked me."
"I was just helpin'." Adam said, clearing his throat as he set Iya down. She turned, catching him in the shoulder with her fist.
"Ouch!" He exclaimed, frowning as he stepped away from her, rubbing his shoulder. "There was absolutely no reason for that."
Peter laughed, shaking his head as he walked over to Gail, wrapping his arms around her waist and laying his head on her shoulder. "How's he doin'?" He asked, a slight frown on his lips.
"He'll survive." She replied, flashing him a smile.
"Good." He said, pecking her cheek.
Iya's arms suddenly wrapped around mine, pulling me away from the sleeping wolf on the table. I glanced back at him, frowning as she led me out. "Let us go!" She sang, trying to skip down the halls, but when I didn't follow her, she stopped.
"Okay, spill." She said, her eyes narrowing as she closed Josh's door behind us.
I sighed, collapsing on the bed, staring at my hands. "I—It's just that… this whole… wolf thing explains a lot, but…" I let out a shaky breath. "It still doesn't explain why he likes me. Why he talked to me on that first day. Why he kept continually trying to talk to me over and over again, even when I pushed him away. I just don't understand. Why me?" I glanced up at her, gulping.
She sighed nervously, taking the seat next to me. "I can't really answer that. That's a Josh question you'll have ta ask him when he wakes up."
My stomach turned, making me clamp a hand over my mouth. "Oh my goodness." I muttered, standing. "I think I'm gonna be sick." I said, running to the bathroom.
"Oh my gosh! Danny, are you alright?!" Iya said, following me as I emptied my stomach's contents into the toilet.
I held my hair away from my face, my whole body suddenly shaking. I shook my head, groaning. "No…" I moaned. "Could you—do you have any flu medicine?" I asked, a wave of heat passing through my body.
"Uh…Well, we, uh, we don't get sick." She replied, running her hands through her hair. I groaned. That explains why Josh didn't get sick. "So, uh, no, I don't think we do."
I tried standing, but it seems my strength had left me and I fell back down to the ground. "I need to go home." I told her, squeezing my eyes shut.
She shook her head. "Josh ain't gonna like that. Besides, you can't even stand. You can't go home. I'll go get ya medicine, alright? And I'll tell Aunt Gail that ya ain't feelin' well." She said, turning and disappearing out the door. I folded my arms, laying my head down on them.
"Oh, honey!" I jerked awake, groaning as my stomach flipped at the voice. Gail crouched down next to me, brushing my sweaty hair out of my face. "I'm sorry ya feel this way. Iya and Cormac should be back with some medicine any time now."
I lay my head back down, shivering, and closed my eyes. I just wanted to sleep. "Oh, c'mon, sweetie, let's get ya ta bed." My heart rate spiked, but my eyes didn't open as her hands appeared at my waist, helping me to stand on my feet. She led me over to the bed, where I climbed under the covers, tightening them around me. I was so cold, and yet I was sweating. Spare blankets suddenly weighed me down until I sighed contently, curling up into a ball.
"Goodnight, Danny." She said. My breath caught in my throat as I felt lips place a kiss on my temple. Is this what having a mother was like? Is this what it felt like to be cared and waited on? Whenever I had gotten sick, my father would just beat me more for not doing my chores and cooking for them. You know, Josh, I thought, I might just take you up your offer.
The snap of the door closing wakened me a little bit, and soon I was aware of another pair of lungs breathing. I opened my eyes, catching sight of a big black lump in the bed in front of me. Without thinking, I snuggled up towards him, burying my fingers in his fur and laying my head next to his. His ear flickered as my breath ran through his fur and he sighed deeply, visibly relaxing.
"And yer sure she's…" Peter's voice trailed off as I strained to hear it.
Josh growled. "Yes. I'm positive. Why wouldn't I be?" he replied.
Peter sighed. "I've heard a situations where wolves are so desperate ta find a mate that the first vulnerable girl they see, they think's their mate." He explained. I frowned, pulling the covers up to my chin. Did I really strike people as vulnerable? I wasn't vulnerable…was I? I shivered involuntarily.
Josh growled again, loudly. "I wasn't desperate. And don't call her vulnerable." He snarled. "She's very… lively… once you get ta know her. She's independent, such a flirt, actually, and beautiful. Gosh, she's so beautiful." He said, his voice softening by the end. I blushed at his compliments, biting my lip.
He laughed slightly. "Good. Now, I would go talk ta her, and please keep her from running out a here screamin', alright?"
Josh chuckled. "I'll try." He said, and soon the door opened. I opened my eyes, peeking out at him from under the blankets. I frowned as I saw his bare chest wrapped in huge white bandage centered on his shoulder. His right arm hung in a sling, his fingers curled around it, useless. "You look horrible," he laughed, smiling as he made his way over to the bed.
"I could say the same thing about you." I coughed, my eyes narrowing as another blush covered my cheeks.
He sat on the bed cross-legged, sighing. "Danny, I have ta talk ta you."
I swallowed a smart comment, sitting up. "Yea. So do I." I glanced towards the closed door, gulping.
He gazed at me, for the first time, fear swirled in his eyes. He let out a shaky breath, smoothing the sheets by him. "Do I scare you?" he whispered.
I stared at my entwined fingers. "At first you did, yes. Both times, I might add." I said, sending him a glare. "But now… I… I don't think so."
He chuckled. "Good. First off, how're ya feelin'?"
I shrugged. "Better. I threw up like a thousand times last night even after your Mom got me medicine. By the way, could you thank them for me? I've never been taken care of before. It felt really nice." I said, smiling. "But I think it was just a one-day thing. Thank goodness."
He growled lowly, grinding his teeth. "I'm glad ya finally know what it's like ta finally have a mother." He sighed, frowning. "Second off, do ya have any…uh… questions?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably.
I brushed my bangs behind my ear. "Are we, uh… are we still…dating?" I asked, red painting my cheeks as I looked away.
His face fell. "Of course!" He exclaimed. He opened his arms—well… free arm. "Com'ere, baby." He said, making my breath catch in my throat at the nickname. I smiled, surrendering and crawling into his lap. He wrapped his arm around me, burying his face in the crown of my hair.
"Any more questions?" he murmured.
"Why did you say you weren't J?" I asked, leaning into his shoulder and playing with his useless fingers.
He sighed. "I just… I didn't think it was the right time ta tell ya. I mean, what would ya have done if I had said yes? Honestly, what would ya have said?"
I shrugged. "I probably wouldn't have believed you. And the whole Alpha thing…?"
"I am the youth alpha, and Coffeeblue was jokin' with me then." He explained.
"When do you get the whole…uh…pack?" I asked, peering up at him.
"When my father steps down or dies." He replied. "Speakin' a the whole alpha thing… do you, uh… do ya know what mates are?"
My nose scrunched up as I thought. "I…um… think so. They're kinda like spouses for wolves, right?" I tilted my head up towards him and he took the opportunity to kiss me lightly, chuckling.
"Kinda, I guess, for real wolves. My mother is my father's mate, and my father is my mother's mate. Either way it works. Wolves almost always have that one person that they're meant ta spend their whole life together with—that one person that ya can't wait to see every day right there beside ya. The person that ya love no matter what happens." He sighed happily, smiling, shaking his head. "I guess what I'm tryin' ta say is that…" He took a deep breath, but I cut him off.
I gulped. "You're my mate." I breathed.
His smile widened. "I am yours, and you are mine."
"How did you know?" I asked, biting my lip.
His eyes sparkled. "The first time I saw you, I had this overwhelmin' urge ta protect ya from anythin' and everythin'—includin' my own pack. And then ya started talkin' ta me, in my head, I didn't know what the heck was happenin', but I knew I had ta protect our secret, so I left as quickly as I could. The next day, when I first saw ya in class, it was like I had just woken up for the first time, and I just…" he shrugged, smiling. "I just knew."
I didn't smile, but instead a long sigh escaped my lips. "And you're the alpha?" I whispered.
He eyed me strangely. "Yes," he replied. "Soon to be."
I felt my face drain of color. "I, uh, I've gotta go," my breath stuck in my throat as I slinked off his lap.
"What?" he said behind me, his arms reaching out uselessly to stop me. I leapt off the bed, snatching my stuff off the desk, but stopped briefly at the door.
Josh stared at me from his spot on the sheets, his mouth forming a circle. Still, he hadn't moved, and was frozen in shock. "I have ta go," I whispered before turning and rushing down the stairs.
"Wait!" Josh called. "Danny, please!"
I ignored him, and my breath began coming in short, shallow gasps. I was the alpha's mate. I would be the alpha female. I couldn't do that! I didn't have the power to do that! No one would ever take me seriously!
How was I supposed to protect a whole pack? I couldn't even protect myself.
A hand suddenly grabbed my arm; the arm that grasped the doorknob. "Danny, wait." Josh said, exasperated, spinning me around to face him. He released my arm and instead trapped me in between his arms—well, arm and shoulder. I backed against the door as he leaned in closely. He was still bare-chested save for the bandage around his shoulder. "I can't let ya leave, Danny. I won't let ya go home."
My heart was pounding in my chest, my vision tunneling. My head was spinning and my legs shaking. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, trying to keep my mind from wavering. But I was no longer with Josh; I was somewhere far away. I don't know how long we stood there like that, but Josh soon realized something was wrong.
I flinched as his fingers brushed my face. A scream rose in my throat, but never escaped. "Danny?" he whispered. "Danny, are you alright?"
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't see.
My mind was traveling back into the past. I felt his breath on my skin, his fingers wrapped around my wrists. I felt his rough lips on my mine, my muscles aching in agony.
"Danny!" Josh called from somewhere in the distance. But I was gone. I was long gone.
Suddenly I was being shaken. I was pulled from the past as fast as I had entered it. Soon, I saw Josh's wide eyes staring down at me, swarming with worry. "What happened?" I asked, looking back at him.
His shoulders relaxed and he sighed. "I'd like ta know the same thing."
"I—I—I hav-hav…" I began, but my voice was lost.
He shook his head. "I won't let ya go back ta him, Danny."
My mouth moved, but no sound came out.
"Did I do somethin'? Did I say somethin' wrong?" He asked. "We were perfectly fine a minute ago."
I shook my head. "I…I can't be alpha female," I breathed.
He laughed breathlessly. "Why do ya think that?"
"I'm not strong enough," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not pretty enough—I'm not smart enough. I'm not even a wolf!"
He laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief. His hands cupped my face, his thumbs stroking my skin. "Who ever said that?"
I looked down, closing my eyes. "Everyone I've ever known."
"Not me," he argued. "I think you're perfect fer the position. You might not see it, but I do. You are strong, even if ya don't realize it. You are beautiful, although that's not really needed ta be alpha female—helpful, but not needed. You are smart, Danny. I can't believe ya don't see that." He drew his eyebrows together, tilting his head to the side.
He was lying. I knew he was lying. But I so badly wanted to believe him.
"I can't," I argued. "I can't."
"But—"
I shook my head, grabbing the doorknob. "I have to go now." I pulled it open only to be stopped my Josh once again.
"At least let me drive ya," he said. "Please."
I shook my head. "I don't want… that… to happen again."
He stepped away from me, his fists clenched tightly. He growled loudly, grinding his teeth together. I jumped slightly at the sound. He had never growled so loudly around me before. "Danny, I can't let ya go back!" he said, turning quickly and engulfing me in a hug.
I gasped sharply. Well, now I guess I knew why he cared so much. It was odd, thinking that someone actually cared about me. "I have to," I said.
"Danny," he said breathlessly. "I physically cannot let ya go. I can't deliberately put you in harm's way."
"The sooner I go, the better." I answered, a blush rising into my cheeks as well as a smile.
His arms only tightened. "You don't understand."
"Understand what?"
He pulled away, taking my face in his hands again. "What I feel for ya. How much it hurts just with the thought of you bein' harmed, at the thought of another man touchin' ya."
Once again I felt my face go pale. I wiggled out of his grip. "I have to go. I'm sorry." I left him there, standing in the doorway in shock once again.
I didn't even get a goodbye kiss. J's (well Josh's now, I guess,) voice echoed in my head. They sounded so… different. But it had to be Josh.
I jumped, looking over my shoulder to see the front door closed. I could still see his pouting face. I could only gasp. Josh.
His laugh sounded. You'll tell me if anythin' happens, right?
I paused, sighing. Why? You can't do anything, anyways.
Your lack of faith in me hurts, darlin'. You'd be surprised at what I can do.
My breath caught in my throat. But you're hurt. I… I don't know if I'm ready to see you…shift…again.
He sighed, and I could tell my words actually hurt him. You're right. I'm sorry. I've never told anyone before. I've never had ta wait fer someone ta get… used ta it. The whole wolf thing is normal in my family.
I guess I'm a part of that now, huh?
Definitely. He laughed. I can let ya in on every secret, and every conversation.
Should I be flattered?
He chuckled again. Yes, he replied. Very much so. You are the first human who's been let inta the pack.
I gasped lowly. I'm a part of the pack? I asked breathlessly.
…of course. Why would ya think otherwise?
It just didn't cross my mind. I paused, letting it sink in. I'm a part of a werewolf pack.
Yes, he said simply, a bit of amusement hidden in his voice. Ou—my pack.
Is that what Adam meant? I asked as I walked.
Josh paused, and I felt his anger in my chest. What da ya mean? What did he tell ya?
I bit my lip. He said that whoever finds her, which I'm guessing is another word for 'mate', gets power over the pack.
Josh growled lowly. Well, technically, yes, he's right. The first son a the alpha that finds his mate is heir ta the position. Normally, it's the oldest, and Adam's always wan'ed ta be Alpha, but he is younger than me. And no one else's found her yet.
So he's jealous?
Basically, Josh agreed. He's just tryin' ta scare ya off. And he'll probably try ta do it again.
I grinned to myself, chuckling. Ya can't get rid a me that easily, I said, imitating his accent.
His deep laugh reached my ears. Why would I want to?
I was about to reply with a smart comment when the house came into view. My breath caught in my throat; my father's truck was parked in the driveway, right next to Destiny's Mustang. Danny? Josh asked, questioning my sudden silence with worry laced in his voice. Danny?! Desperation seeped into his tone.
I'll…talk to you later. I squeaked, clutching my books close to my chest as I forced myself to keep walking.
Wait, Danny, please, no—I cut him off.
Don't come, Josh. I said, imagining my wall going up around my mind.
It suddenly dawned on me, the way thoughts often do. Today was Thanksgiving.
But for me, there was no big feast, there was no family gathering, but there was only one thing to be thankful for. Josh.
The knob burned my hand as I grabbed it, taking a deep breath. I pushed it open ever so slightly, holding my breath. The sounds of laughter, drinking, and poker chips greeted me. Five men were seated around the coffee table, a set of poker chips and cards lain out. Bottles of beer accompanied each man, and one was gripped in the hands of my drunken father.
He stood, swaying slightly, his nostrils flared, and eyes glazed over with something more than anger. He made his way over the others, tripping more than once and spilling beer on the floor. I gulped, closed the door, and tightened my jaw as he came to stand in front of me. He stumbled, pushing my shoulder to steady him, my books falling out of my hands. "Whhheerre hhave yoouu beeeeenn, yooouu liitttlleee bbbb****?"
I took a deep breath and lifted my chin a little bit higher. He scowled, his hand coming up. I braced myself for the slap, but black dots interrupted my vision as I heard glass shatter on the side of my head. I yelled out in pain, my hand coming up to my ear as I fell to the ground.
Laughter sounded. "Yea Grant!" I heard. "Show her whose boss!"
A sharp pain erupted in my stomach. I cried out again involuntarily, wrapping my arms around my waist. "Daddy!" A shrill voice shrieked. "Daddy, stop! Please, her head is already bleeding!"
Again, his foot connected with my side. "Daddy, you're gonna kill her! Stop!"
The men 'oohed'. "Grant, getting bossed around by his daughter and left by his wife." They all laughed their drunken, idiotic laugh.
Everything froze. "Get out," my father growled, his words completely clear. I kept my eyes closed, my body curled up in a ball. I heard them get up, muttering profanities over and over. Things crashed, peopled yelled, and one of them kicked the small of my back. I yelped, flinching away.
"Out!'" My father all but yelled, slamming the door after them. He sighed angrily. "Get her out of here before I change my mind."
I felt Destiny grab me underneath my arms, helping me up. My head spun, and I could just barely open my eyes. She draped her arm underneath me, guiding me up the stairs and into my bathroom. She set me down on the toilet and took out a rag. My eyes closed and I leaned up against the back. I felt a hot rag press against my head.
The world began spinning around and around, and upside down, and then entirely black.
:::::
The whole left side of my head throbbed. I groaned, lifting my hand, but someone else held me back. "Ah, ah, ah," they said, pulling my hand anyway from my face.
My eyes fluttered open to meet those beautiful blue eyes frowning down at me. I furrowed my eyebrows, the tips of my mouth tilting downward. "Josh," I mumbled. "What are you doi—" I gasped, sitting up. The blood rushed from my head, my vision blurring.
Josh pushed me down gently, sighing. "Don't worry," he said. "Your father's at work. He got called in fer an emergency. You've been out fer a couple a hours."
I sighed, rubbing the non-injured side of my face. "What time is it? Why are you here?"
He sat on the edge of my bed, his free hand intertwining with mine. "It's about five o'clock." He replied.
"Why are you here?" I repeated.
"Destiny called me," he said. "She didn't know what ta do."
I sat up slightly, leaning back against my pillows. "Why would she do that?"
He shrugged. "You were bleedin'… a lot."
"Why would she call you?" I asked, pursing my lips.
He shrugged again. "I don't know. I am yer boyfriend."
I felt blood rise to my cheeks. Why I still blushed at that word, I didn't know. "I mean, out of everyone, even the hospital, or a doctor, why you?"
He looked down before looking away. "My uncle's a doctor," he said, as if that explained everything. "You have a minor concussion, and a few cuts, but other than that, yer fine."
I knew very well why she didn't call the hospital. She knew that if she did, they would ask questions, and sooner or later, we'd be taken away from him. Before, I had been too scared to say anything, but now I had a reason to stay in this forsaken town. "Is it bad?" I blew out, exasperated, lifting my hands to run my fingers down the side of my face. He was right, but there were more than a few cuts.
"Compared ta what?" he growled suddenly. "Compared ta all the other injuries he's given ya?"
"Can we not?" I whispered, ducking my head to stare at my hands in my lap. "I only have another year left. Just one year."
He grounded his teeth together. "It only takes a couple hits ta…" he looked away, unable to finish the sentence.
I looked up at him, tears forming in my eyes. "What else can I do?" I breathed, shaking my head. "I need to finish high school…"
"You need ta get out a here." He said forcefully.
I looked away, the tears now rolling down my face. "I need you, too, Josh."
His shoulders dropped, his face clearing of anger. "I'm sorry," he whispered, reaching out to wrap his arm around me. "I need you, too."
But we're only seventeen. I thought. How can I be sure? How do you know what love is?
How do I know if Adam's wrong? That Josh isn't just using me?
I smiled, pulling away from him, but letting my fingers linger in his hair. "Yer dad's pullin' in the driveway," he sighed, carefully wiping the tears from my cheeks. "Just stay up here—"
"Do not call him my dad," I snapped, my jaw clenching. "He is anything but. He is my biological father, but he is not Dad."
His eyes widened, and then he smiled. "No," he said, "yer right. He's not."
"I'm sorry," I blushed. "Maybe if we just stayed up here, and were really quiet…"
He shook his head and sighed. "I wish it were that easy." He said, getting up, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "I've got ta go. Tell me if he even threatens ta hurt ya, alright?"
I looked down shamefully, frowning.
"Danny," he said, making me shiver.
I nodded. "I will," I agreed.
But we both knew that wasn't going to happen.