Chapter 11 – Scared and Alone

Mandy and I spoke as we waited for my parents to arrive, she asked me if I was feeling okay after being in prison and I told her the truth about how I felt and she listened and comforted me, I told her about my pills been taken so she went to speak to the officer as she was coming back my parents walked in, my dad first and then my mum. My dad saw Mandy and got mad.

"Leo is your brain not working? How many times do I have to tell you I don't want you near her?"

"My brain is working fine but as I keep telling you it's my life and I will see who I want" I replied glaring at him.

"Leo...let's just go home now"

"Not yet I have to see Mandy home first"

"She has legs I am sure she can walk"

"Yeah but it's not safe for women in the dark in Scotland, they could get attacked"

"We are going home now I don't have time to mess around Leo"

"Look dad you only bother with me when you feel like it so for once I am not doing what you say first time"

"She is not family like us so come on"

"But what is family?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"People always say family is people you are blood related too...but they are so wrong"

"Leo...you are losing it"

"No dad you think because we are blood related it makes everything you did okay but it doesn't, family is a place where you belong, it's with the people who care about you and are always there for you"

"And how exactly did she do that?" he said glancing at Mandy

"Well for one she believed me when I said I didn't try to rape Bonnie...you didn't"

"I did believe you"

"Yeah right you couldn't even look at me like I was poison or something"

"I am not discussing this here, now get a move on"

"I said I have to walk Mandy home first"

"She isn't your girlfriend you don't need to walk her home"

"No she's my friend and I want her to be safe...I am not letting her walk around here by herself at this time"

"Look you don't have to do this Leo" dad said

"Do what? Look after my friend"

"Look I am not stupid her family obviously abandoned her and left her in that clinic, they don't care about her and neither should you"

I knew that would hurt. Mandy acted strong but she wasn't as strong as she seems and she missed her family. She bit her lip a little looking upset for a minute but dad didn't stop.

"And I am not surprised I don't have a daughter but if I did I wouldn't want her to be a freak like she is" he said looking at Mandy with disgust.

"And another thing she will never get out that clinic because she is too crazy to be trusted by herself" he shook his head I had had enough.

"Dad that is enough!" I said as Mandy took one look at me and ran out the police station clearly upset, though I don't blame her dad was been horrible.

"Good she has finally gone" my dad said cruelly

"Dad leave her alone! She hasn't done anything!" I said as he started to walk towards the door to lead us out

"No I need to check if she's okay" I said as I stormed out the prison looking for Mandy, I walked out looking for her which was not easy as it was so dark, I doubt she would try go home in her state so I started looking around the park near the prison.

"Mandy?" I said looking around for her, worried as it was quite dark right now, I carried on looking around and suddenly saw her sat on a swing crying ...and smoking.

When I first met Mandy she had been a big mess she smoked regularly like a lot of people did in the clinic as it helped her cope but I was worried about her health so she eventually agreed to stop with my persuasion, it had taken a long time as smoking was hard to give up as it was an addiction, but she eventually stopped all together and hadn't smoked in six months. I couldn't let her blow all that hard work because of something my father said so I walked up to her, not angry but concerned.

"Come on put that out" I said gently knowing getting angry wouldn't help, she didn't listen and puffed on it more.

"Mandy...we both know it's bad for your health and you don't smoke anymore"

"It helps..."

"I know but there is other ways to cope isn't there? Now I don't want you to take up smoking again it's not good for you so put it out please"

She looked at me for a minute then put it out and I smiled gently

"Good girl, now we are going to deal with this the sensible way...talking" I said as I sat on the swing next to her

Talking was something she wasn't used to doing when she was upset, she didn't have anyone to talk to which is where her problems started, she doesn't like to cry either she thinks she is ''too old'' but I told her that's ridiculous everyone cries.

"I ...your dad is right" she said as she put her head into her knees so I didn't see her cry though I could hear her. I gently touched her back to comfort her.

"Don't listen to him, he is pathetic, he likes to make other people feel bad about their lives, but I won't let him break you"

"But it's true my family left me in the clinic and never came to visit me" she said looking up and wiping her eyes.

"You don't need them, just like I don't need my family, you have me" I say smiling

"You will get sick of me like everyone else" she said sadly

"Don't be daft you are amazing" I said as I hugged her gently "I don't care what dad says as long as we are together we will be ok right?"

She nodded slightly leaning her head on my shoulder

"Smile?"

She smiled looking at me and I laughed

"That's my Mandy" I said "Right let's get you home but first the box of cigarettes please?" I said knowing she had more she took them out her pocket and gave them to me.

"Just don't chuck them I spend good money on them" she said smiling as I laughed