Chapter 14 – Nowhere to Go
After what had happened at the clinic with dad I knew I couldn't stay at home much longer. I had always planned to move out at sixteen but I don't think I can wait that long to get away from them. I was speaking to Mandy about it as I was visiting.
"Do you not have any family at all who can take you in?" she asked me
"Well I do but they all hate me as well, no one in the Fitzgerald family is normal"
"Come live at the clinic" Mandy said seriously
"I can't you know you have to be referred here plus they are short enough on places as it is" I replied sadly.
"There must be somewhere you can go...what about that school place?"
"The schoolhouse?" I asked curiously
"Yeah I mean pupils who have nowhere to go live there don't they? Just because your dad is head doesn't mean you can't"
"What if my parents don't agree to it though?"
"That doesn't matter they have a choice you live in the schoolhouse or move out and live on the street because you are miserable"
"I know but..." Mandy stood up and I stopped talking
"Come on we are going" she said putting on her jacket
"Where?"
"To the schoolhouse to see if you can stay there"
We walked the 10 minutes to the schoolhouse, it was evening so school was closed which means my family wouldn't see me, and we walked to the front door and knocked and stood next to each other as we waited. Soon Mrs Budgen opened the door smiling.
"Oh hello Leo are you alright? And who is your friend?" she asked not having met Mandy the time she was in school.
"This is Mandy my best friend from out of school; I really need to talk to you about maybe staying here?"
She looked at us both for a minute then nodded and invited us in
"Why don't you go sit down, would either of you like a drink or anything?"
Both of us shook our heads and sat down at the sofa she showed us too as she sat opposite us.
"Right Leo so why do you want to move here, what's up with been at home?"
"I am not getting on with the family, after the whole bullying thing and everything things have gotten worse, I also was...I also was diagnosed with depression and they don't believe me I don't think I am getting the care I need at home"
"When are you sixteen?" she asked me
"October" I replied
"Well until then your parents need to agree to let you live here"
I felt worried I didn't think they would agree but I nodded as she went to call them so we could discuss it. I smiled at Mandy as we waited for her to come back. Half an hour later my parents and Justin walked in.
"Why is she here this is for family only" dad said looking at Mandy
"SHE IS STAYING! I say angrily, Mrs Budgen didn't want a fight to break out so stepped in.
"Hey sit down and stop fighting" she said as we all sat around the living room as she explained why I had come to see her.
"That is ridiculous we have already told Leo there is nothing wrong with him" my mum said
"Look Leo needs care if he does have this illness, and I think it would be best if he stayed here at least for the time been"
After a lot of persuading my parents finally agreed, Mrs Budgen led me upstairs and walked through the door of my room.
"This will be your room Leo" she said "Oh and girls aren't allowed in boy's room so this is the last time you will be in here" she said to Mandy
"Can she still visit though? As long as you are there it doesn't matter right?" I asked
"Sure but she has to go home by nine on a school night, ten on a weekend"
"That's fine" Mandy said as she sat on the bed next to me "It's not bad here is it?"
"No" I smiled hoping things would finally start to look up