Ch.2 The Angels that Used to be Guarding Our Beds
(CLARE)
"You want us to walk you?" Fitz questions, breaking the football conversation.
"I can get to Mr. Betenkamp's class on my own," I reply, rolling my eyes.
"I have Betenkamp for homeroom too," Adam comments.
"Looks like I have an escort anyway," I smile. I link my arm with Adam's and we begin walking toward homeroom.
"What grade are your brother and his friends in?" Adam questions.
"They're all in grade eleven," I reply.
"Cool, kind of nice when your sibling is in the same school. Sometimes it can be annoying though, and seems like your stepbrother…" Adam's words are cut short because we round a corner and bump into someone. None of us fall, the three of us stumble, and I take my arm from Adam's as we begin to stumble. I look at who we bumped into to see yet another new boy, all in black, black hair, black nail polish, black shirt, black jeans, black boots. Sexy and piercing green eyes though.
"Sorry, my bad, I wasn't looking where I was going, I seem to be a bit lost. I'm new here and not having much luck making sense of this map. I'm Eli," he says.
"Adam, and this is Clare. Let me guess," Adam remarks looking Eli over, "you must drive the hearse in the parking lot."
"Hey Morty is a finely crafted antique," Eli replies.
"Wait, you drive an antique hearse and named it Morty?" I question.
"That's right Blue Eyes, death is kind of my thing," Eli says with a smoldering smirk. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or frightened by his attention.
"What class do you have first?" I inquire as I feel my cheeks flush.
"Math for work and everyday life with Mr. Armstrong," Eli replies.
"My brother has that class for homeroom," Adam and I say at exactly the same time and then we both laugh.
"Okay, that was freaky. You two twins or something?" Eli queries.
"Actually, we just met a few minutes ago," Adam informs him.
"That…is weird," Eli says slowly, then whistles the theme from The Twilight Zone.
"Your class is the next hallway, 3rd door on the right," I tell him.
"Cool, see you guys around," Eli grins. He walks past us and Adam and I get to our homeroom class, just a few paces from where we bumped into Eli.
"Hey Clare," chorus all my friends already in the class.
"Hi guys, this is Adam, he and his brother are new this year. This is Alli, Dave, Jenna, Connor, Wes, Sadie, and Liam."
Adam nods hello before he and I find desks, seems we are two of the last in class. Adam sits next to Alli, I sit just behind Adam next to Sadie. She and Dave began dating at the end of the year last year. They were on and off over the summer, but given the way they are gazing at each other and she's already wearing his letterman's sweater, from basketball last year, I think it's safe to say they are back together.
Mr. Betenkamp is a good teacher and his class is entertaining even if you don't like science. When the bell rings for 2nd period Adam finds out he has civics and citizenship along with Alli, Wes and Liam. I have art, which none of my friends seem to have and I walk to the art room alone.
I don't see Miss Dawes in here yet, there are long tables that seat three people and a couple easels near the front with more easels folded up at the back. I know that Fitz, Owen and Bianca all have biology this period, but was hoping at least one of my friends had this class with me. I sit at a table and look at my phone while I wait for others to come in. When the chair to my right is pulled out and someone plops down I look up to see who it is and am horrified to see my stepbrother in class with me.
"Hi," he grins. His voice manages to be as slimy and as spine chilling as the look he's giving me.
I grit my teeth and get up from my chair to move to a new table. Steve grabs my hand and pulls me roughly back into the chair. I hit it so violently it skids on the linoleum a little. Then he grabs my leg squeezing with such a force that I whimper. A few other kids are in the class but none are looking at us or paying attention.
"Sit with me Clare, the teacher can't see under the table and I can play with you all semester under this table," Steve whispers in my ear.
I feel the bile rising in my throat, I cover my mouth sure that I'm going to vomit just at the thought of him touching me. While I'm trying to swallow the bile in my throat Steve's chair gets bumped into from behind violently. Hard enough to take his grip from my leg while he turns to see who dared. At the same time I'm suddenly scooped up into a pair of arms. Happy to once again see Drew as my savior. I look over to see that it was Sav that bumped into Steve and I smile. I'm certain the two worked that move out when they came in the room, I didn't even notice them coming in.
"Am I glad to see you two," I exhale relieved as Drew turns walking a few steps and sets me down.
"Clare'll sit with us," Sav tells Steve.
The three of us take one of the tables at the front and I sit between Sav and Drew. I'm sure Steve is pissed, in fact when I glance back his face is red. Fitz and I don't plan to go home until at least Wednesday and hopefully by that time Steve will have gotten high enough times to forget about it.
Miss Dawes comes in and begins as soon as the late bell rings. She spends most of class going over the various art styles with examples from famous artists. When the bell rings for lunch Drew and Sav make sure to walk out with me. Sav leaves us after a short time to get to student council while Drew and I continue toward the caf. When Drew sees Adam and Alli headed our way he nods to his brother and heads to the caf.
"You're eating with us Clare," Alli says, taking my hand.
"Did my brother save you again?" Adam asks.
"Kind of, we have art together, and Steve has the class too. How was civics and citizenship?"
"Good, Miss Cosnell gave us a project. Adam and I are partners," Alli grins.
(FITZ)
"Hey Drew," I call to him. Owen and I are headed for the picnic tables out front to eat lunch and Drew seems to be lost or maybe just wondering who to eat with. "Eat with us," I tell him as he starts walking toward us.
"Thanks," Drew grins as we go through the front doors. We scare some niners from a picnic table and sit down getting out our lunches.
"Your stepbrother is a real piece of shit," Drew comments as we begin eating.
"Yeah, I know. What'd he do now, and when did you see him again?" I question before stuffing some chips in my mouth.
"We have second period art together, so does Clare. I walked in with another guy, Sav, and we saw Steve close to Clare again, sitting at a table with her. We both tensed when we saw how uncomfortable she was and went right over. Steve was holding her thigh when we got there, Sav bumped his chair from behind and I picked her up from her chair. The three of us sat at a table together, we'll sit with her all semester. I can't believe your stepbrother is that determined to…well things he shouldn't with his stepsister. When did your parents get married?" Drew asks.
I didn't know Steve had art second period, not that I pay that much attention to his classes. I knew Clare had it, but not Drew, we didn't talk about his second period class and Armstrong asked Drew to stay after class, so we didn't leave homeroom together.
My fists are clenched, and I have to force out a breath before I can answer Drew's question, "Six years ago."
"Six years! Has he always been that way?" Drew asks, he nearly choked on his food when I told him.
"He's only been real handsy with Clare in the last year or so. It started getting real bad over the summer when Clare started developing. She got all curvy pretty much overnight," I inform him. I'm not usually this open but I feel like I can trust Drew. After all he did save Clare from Steve twice today and the day isn't over yet.
"Yeah, she did," Owen comments and I smack his arm, "What? She did, all skinny and tiny one day, I see you guys a few days later she's curvy and busty. I didn't hit on her, didn't mean I didn't notice that she's suddenly sexy."
"Which is surprising since you generally hit on almost every girl you lay eyes on," I tease him.
"Yeah, well, you guys are at the house all the time, she's practically my sister," Owen shrugs.
"How you liking Degrassi so far?" I ask Drew hoping to change the subject a little.
"Well, aside from your creep of a stepbrother, seems to be a good school. Lots of hot girls and a great football team, or so we heard," Drew replies.
"Our football team is the best, we were the regional champs last year," Owen grins.
"So was my last school," Drew says.
We spend the rest of lunch listening to Drew talk about his old school. When the bell rings I ask Drew what his next class is and find out we both have business. I know Bianca is in the class too, so I tell Drew to come with me and we claim three desks in the back. Perino is a decent teacher and most of the time tries to make things interesting, although today is definitely boring.
I already know Clare; Owen and I have communications technology last period. When I ask Drew what he has I find out he's in the same class. Bianca waves as she saunters off to her English class. When Drew and I get to the classroom I find both our younger sibs in here. Both are talking to Eli, also a new kid who is in my homeroom math class. I don't particularly like the way Eli is looking at my sister, so I go over and put my arm around her shoulders.
"Hey Crackerjack, when were you going to tell me Steve was bothering you in art?" I question. Adam cracks a smile at Clare's nickname. Eli is observing us closely, his eyes narrowed slightly, but I can't quite determine the look in his eyes.
"I was sure you would have heard, Sav and Drew were there," she replies, kissing my cheek before slipping from my arm. Clare grabs Adam's hand, pulling him to a table by the window and Eli follows them. Owen comes in the room and sits at the table with me and Drew.
"Boyfriend?" Eli asks, and my fists immediately clench.
"Brother," Adam and Clare say at the same time in the same way and start laughing. Owen, Drew and I are all fairly shocked at the synchronicity of Clare and Adam.
Eli cocks his eyebrows giving them a curious look, "You sure you two aren't twins?"
"And Adam's found his bestie here," Drew remarks with a slight chuckle to his voice. "So, Crackerjack because she's so sweet?"
"No, it means marked excellence and skilled expert, basically someone smart. Which she is, way smarter than me," I reply just as Miss Oh comes in. We're silent for the rest of class as Miss Oh goes over the curriculum and our projects for the year. "We've got football, you sit on the bleachers," I tell Clare as we leave the classroom at the end of the day.
"I really don't want to watch you at football," she remarks. Wrinkling her nose like sitting on the bleachers during practice is the worst thing she can think of.
"I was going to checkout The Dot, you can come with me," Eli offers. He's wearing a smirk and has a look in his eyes I don't like. I tense at the thought of her with Eli, they won't entirely be alone, but I still don't want her at The Dot with Eli. Either Drew picks up on it or he also doesn't like the thought.
"Adam go with them, I'll pick you up from there when we're done," Drew orders. Adam's response is to stand at attention and salute. To which Drew makes a face and flips his brother off.
"You should come with us Adam, we'll hang out and do homework, get some food. The jocks can find us there when they've run out their testosterone," Eli says and my fists clench.
He and I are going to come to blows if he keeps up that attitude. He's smirking at us and seems to be purposely trying to get under our skin, at the very least under mine. As though challenging us this way is supposed to impress Clare, and possibly even Adam. Owen puts his hand on my shoulder, probably aware that I'm close to hitting Eli. Eli gives us one last smirk, puts his arms around Clare and Adam's shoulders and they turn walking toward the front doors.
"If Eli keeps up like that his face is going to meet my fist," I remark as we begin walking to the locker room. Punctuating my point by pounding my fist into my other hand.
"He obviously has the hots for Clare, but I do think he was trying to get under your skin. Eli seems the type to keep doing it if he knows it bugs you, so don't let him know. I'll bet he drives the hearse in the parking lot though, probably not a bad idea to not let either of our sibs get too close to Eli," Drew responds.
I force out a breath because I know he's right. When we get to the locker room we introduce Drew to the others. Most of the guys in here were on the team last year, but there's a few new guys trying out like Mo. It's just try outs and drills today, no tackling or anything so no pads, but those of us with uniforms that still fit from last year change into them.
When we get out to the football field Coach Armstrong gives a talk about the team, everyone getting a fair chance to make it, and that being a team means on and off the field. He also says that being on the team last year doesn't guarantee you a spot on the team at all let alone a starting position. Then he pairs us off for warmups and I am paired with Drew.
"So, don't like Clare dating?" Drew asks. We're doing sit-ups and I'm holding his feet.
"Not really no, she's had boyfriends before, nothing very serious. I'm not against it, just depends on the guy. Eli just doesn't give me a good feeling."
"Like Steve?"
"Steve's always been a shit, I never really liked him, but never got a bad feeling from him. Our stepdad Rudy, we liked him at first, took about two days after he and Mom married for him to be a complete asshole."
"That sucks, when my mom met Adam's dad we were all close immediately. I loved getting a brother, a new dad, we were all happy," Drew says. We hadn't asked about the striking difference between him and Adam but that explains it. "What about your mom?"
"Works a lot, she takes Rudy's abuse and never stops him when he's going for us. What really scares me though is he's started looking at Clare like she's candy. He used to look at her like he does me, like we're less than dirt, but now he looks at her like a hungry wolf watching a wounded rabbit. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Steve and Rudy teamed up on her one day. I don't let her be home alone with them, but sometimes I'm in the shower or something."
"You think they'd rape her?" Drew asks, pausing all the way seated with his hands on his knees and a look of disgusted horror on his face.
"I know they would, Steve's been very close this summer and even Rudy's gotten her trapped a few times over the summer. So far they haven't succeeded because she's kicked them in the nuts and comes to me then we run. Or if she can't fight them off she screams for me, I come in and get them away from her and we run. It's only been one at a time, but some day they're going to figure out they want the same thing and decide to work together. We need to get out of there, Spin, he manages The Dot, gave me a job. I can save up and hopefully I'll be able to get a car before much longer. She turns sixteen in February, maybe we can get our own place, but I'm not leaving Clare there. At least with a car we'll be able to flee a little faster."
"Your mom really does nothing?"
"Rudy beats her more than us, but she still takes his side. Turns a blind eye, more afraid of being alone than saving her or us I guess," I shrug as Drew goes back down.
"Cops, Children's Aide," Drew suggests. Sitting up again, he's done his set, so we switch places and I start doing sit ups while talking.
"The cops seem pretty useless. Mom has never called the cops to the house, even when Rudy has beaten her pretty bad. Neighbors have called after a fight, cops come out and tell us to keep it down, Rudy has never been arrested. I'm still not sure if he has friends on the force, cops just don't want to get involved or Mom refuses to press charges. Any time the two get into their fights all three us kids leave, we learned it was just better. Clare tried calling Children's Aide once, it took over a week for someone to come and I was gone when they finally showed up. Steve, Rudy and even Mom denied any sort of abuse. Clare was punished for calling, beaten so badly she couldn't move for days. I've never let her be at the house without me again, and we never tried reporting again. I don't have a lot of faith in the system or adults to help, I'll do whatever it takes to get us out. Until then we keep fleeing when we need to, go home when we have to. I take the brunt of the abuse; I can handle it. I just know one day Steve and/or Rudy will go too far."
Drew gives me a look, slightly shocked or horrified, but also thinking. He can't say anything though as Coach Armstrong blows a whistle and has us run. After a few drills Drew and I are on the sidelines hydrating. K.C. and a few others are near us, but not right next to us, while Owen and the others are running a drill.
"So, when you guys run, where do you go?" Drew asks but keeps his voice down.
"Depends, usually we go to Owen's, but we have a couple other friends places we can get to. If it's late we usually go to the ravine for the night."
"Ravine?" Drew asks, cocking an eyebrow while wiping some sweat from the back of his neck with a towel.
"Behind the fence there," I say pointing to the chain link fence at one end of the football field, "a little set back into the trees is a spot some kids carved out years ago. There's a firepit, some beach chairs, the backseat of a car and a broken down van, sometimes some tarp tents. Kids usually hang out there and drink, but sometimes kids sleep there too, in the van or by the fire pit."
"Doesn't sound very safe," Drew replies.
"Yeah, that's why when we have to go there I let Clare sleep and I stay up. Most people know better than to try and mess with me, but some are too drunk or high to care. Steve sometimes goes there too. There's also always the possibility that someone new will come by. People hear about it or get taken to parties there over the summer and remember it."
"You can come to our house too; I'll give you my number and Adam's. We can let you into the basement without our parents knowing. The sofa is big enough for you both to sleep down there. There's a kitchenette and washroom. Adam and I are night owls and we've woken each other plenty of times in the middle of the night, you can text or call at any hour," Drew tells me.
"Thanks," I smile. The more I'm around Drew the more I like him. He's saved Clare twice today, made sure Adam went with Clare and Eli. Now he's offering up his house as a safe haven. I don't know if we'll ever take him up on his offer but it's good to know it's there. Though we don't even like waking Owen in the middle of the night so waking Drew and Adam doesn't seem likely.
Coach blows the whistle again and we go out to the field while Owen and the others hydrate. When tryouts are over we head back to the locker room, shower and change. Owen and I walk to the parking lot with Drew, he gets into his car, we get into Owen's and we drive down the street to The Dot. The three of us getting out at the same time. As we walk inside I see Clare sitting at a table with Adam and Eli, but she's also sitting on Johnny's lap.
"You must know him, you're not charging in there to get her off his lap," Drew remarks.
"Johnny, one of our closest friends," I tell Drew as we open the door. "Hey DiMarco, miss your high school hang out or something?"
"Saw Clare as I drove past, came to keep her company, and meet the new guys. How were football tryouts?" Johnny questions.
"Good, Drew's a strong player, he'll bring a lot to the team, though he'll have to beat out Riley for QB1. Drew Torres this is Johnny DiMarco, Drew is Adam's brother," Owen says.
"Hey," Drew nods while Johnny looks between the two of them and wrinkles his forehead slightly.
"Good to meet you Drew," Johnny says.
"I hate to break up the party, but Adam and I need to get home," Drew replies.
"Yeah," Eli says somewhat reluctantly, "I should probably get home too.
Clare gets off of Johnny's lap and we all walk out together. Drew, Adam and Eli wave as they split from us. Johnny hugs Clare and kisses her cheek, then hugs me and Owen before going to his car. We get in Owen's car and drive back to his house. Tris is here watching TV in the den when we come in. We join him and Clare helps me with some of my homework since she's done with hers. We eat dinner with the family and then Clare goes to shower, coming out of the shower to Owen's room when she's done. She's wearing pajamas and probably ready to go settle into bed in the guest room.
"I'm going to bed," she says, grabbing her phone from where it's charging on Owen's dresser. Her pajamas are a t-shirt and pajama shorts, but I see a bruise on her thigh in the shape of fingers and instantly know it's from Steve.
"Fucking bastard, I'm going to kill him tomorrow," I growl, and Owen looks up to see why I'm pissed.
"It's a bruise, I'll heal, I've had a lot worse. We have to go home Wednesday or Rudy could report us runaways. Don't cause trouble with Steve just before we go home," Clare pleads. I grit my teeth, not happy about it, but she's right.
"G'night Clare," Owen says.
She leaves the room and I return to finishing the last of my homework. I know Clare is right, but I still have the urge to punch Steve when I see him tomorrow. We have to go home Wednesday though. We learned a few years ago that if we're gone for more than a week Rudy reports us as runaways, which leads to major issues as soon as we return. Not to mention makes us less credible to the cops whenever we try to make a complaint. If we ever try to make another complaint.
We know Rudy doesn't care and is either doing it because Mom is worried or because someone else is questioning our absence. It makes Rudy look like a caring parent and makes us look like troublesome teens. If he ever does kill one or both of us and we disappear he's sure to tell the cops we ran. The really awful thing is I think Mom would back him up rather than lose him.
(CLARE)
"Hey Sav, see you at lunch Clare," Alli says as we leave homeroom together, Wednesday morning. She and Adam wave as they begin walking to civics and citizenship together.
Sav was waiting for me yesterday as well, we walk to art together so he's sure I don't get to the classroom alone with Steve again. Sav is student council president this year and has a spare first period. He told me yesterday he's usually in the student council office first period. Since he's the only one there he can leave at any time and wait outside my homeroom, so I'm not walking alone to art. I appreciate that he's doing so, as I am sure Steve will seize on any opportunity he gets.
Yesterday in art Steve shot me a few looks but never got near me. I ate lunch with Adam, Alli and Eli yesterday. After school Eli even came to The Dot with Adam and I again. He hasn't asked me out or anything so I'm not sure if he likes me that way, just likes hanging out with me and/or Adam. Maybe it's just that he seems to revel in the fact that being near me really irritates Fitz.
When Sav and I get to art class Drew is already here. So is Steve but we ignore him and sit at our table with Drew. Miss Dawes comes in and after showing us a few examples of life drawings she tells us to partner up and go outside to draw nature. Drew is quick to partner with me and Steve doesn't look happy, but I can't tell if it's that I'm partnered with Drew or Steve just doesn't want to go outside and draw.
Sav partners with a guy at the table behind us. We all get pencils and sketch pads and go outside. Miss Dawes said we just can't leave school grounds and have to be back with something at least sketched onto our pad ten minutes before the bell. Drew and I go out front and find a spot near the football field with some flowers and trees, just beyond the chain link fence. We both agree that we like how the chain link and the flowers with the trees make a good juxtaposition. I start to sketch but then my mind wanders, at least until Drew softly touches my arm.
"You okay?" Drew asks.
"Yeah, fine, sorry my mind wanders sometimes," I reply.
"Worried about going home tonight?" Drew questions.
I don't say anything but bite my lip looking away from Drew so he won't see the fear in my eyes.
"I told Fitz you guys could come to our house if you need to. You can text or call us at any time of the day or night, and we can let you into the basement. Our parents will never know and there's plenty of room for you both to sleep on the sofa. There's a washroom and kitchenette down there. Why don't you and Adam go to our place after school to do homework. Fitz and Owen can follow me home after football and pick you up from there," Drew suggests.
I look up with a smile and kiss Drew's cheek, "Thanks."
Drew grins back and we return to our drawing. We aren't finished by the time it's time to go back inside but we both have sketches on our paper and Miss Dawes is very pleased when we go inside. Sav and Drew both walk out with me when the bell rings, Sav leaves us when we see Steve is gone. Drew stays with me until we find Adam and Alli in the hall.
"You and Clare are doing homework at our place after school," Drew informs his brother.
"Cool, Alli is also coming over so we can get some work done on our project," Adam says.
I eat lunch with Adam, Alli and our friends and we walk to third period together. In communications technology last period, each table is given a project we have to have finished by next Wednesday and make our presentations on Thursday and Friday. This means Drew, Owen and Fitz are working together and I'm working with Adam and Eli. We have the rest of the period to begin work on our projects.
"You guys want to come to my place after school?" Eli asks as we're packing up just as the bell rings.
"Actually, Clare is coming to my place after school along with Alli. You can come too, can we all fit in your car?" Adam questions.
"We'll make it work," Eli replies with a smirk.
"Okay, I'll text Alli to meet us out front," Adam comments.
"We'll see you two at our house after school," Drew says while Adam is texting.
"The four of us, Alli and Eli are both coming over. Eli will take us in his car," I correct. My brother instantly tenses, whether that's because Eli is coming over to Adam's or driving us all I'm not sure.
Eli smirks again and we walk to the front. We find Alli and walk to Eli's hearse, he says someone will need to ride in the back. Adam volunteers to do so, giving Alli and I the front and I sit in the middle. There's a little window between the coffin portion and driver portion, Eli is able to open, so Adam can give directions to his house. Eli parks on the street and we go in the front door.
"Hi Mom," Adam says as we come in. "Mom this is Clare, Alli and Eli. We're going to do homework in the basement. I have a project with Alli and one with Clare and Eli to work on."
"It's nice to meet you kids, I'm glad Adam is making friends. I have some errands to run soon but make yourselves at home," Mrs. Torres says. She looks strikingly like Drew, olive skin and dark hair.
We say thank you to Mrs. Torres and follow Adam down to the basement. It's just as Drew described and I can see that if we do come here it would be a comfy place for me and Fitz to spend the night if we have to. Adam says to make ourselves comfortable and we begin working. Sav is picking up Alli in an hour, so she and Adam get to work on their project first. When Alli gets a text that Sav is here she says goodbye and Adam walks her upstairs leaving Eli and I alone.
"You have beautiful eyes Clare," Eli tells me as he leans in real close to my face, "something about them is so…enchanting. In an odd way you remind me of my ex."
Unsure of how to react to this comment I look down. Suddenly though Eli's lips attach to mine, his hand at the back of my head. The kiss is soft, passionate, almost desperate. I could probably pull away, I'm just kind of frozen out of shock that he's even kissing me right now. He's not exactly attacking me, but it's also not a wanted kiss and I'm about to shove him away when we hear the door to upstairs open and Eli pulls away.
Adam returns downstairs and we begin working on the project. Eli will glance at me whenever Adam's attention is off of us. I am trying to not look at Eli, I don't know how I feel about him or the kiss. By the time Drew, Owen and Fitz are walking through the sliding glass door leading to the patio we've made a lot of progress on our project.
"Nice basement," Fitz says looking around the room. Knowing we're about to leave I begin packing my backpack.
"Yeah, it's a good place for us to hang out. Our parents never come down unless they think me, or Adam is down here," Drew comments. I appreciate that he's subtly saying we'd be safe here without outright saying we can sleep here if we need to run. He was careful of his words because Eli and Adam are in the room. Eli is clueless and I don't know how much Adam knows, he and I haven't really discussed my home life.
"Cool, we should get going," Fitz says. I'm pretty sure that only me and Owen hear the slight hesitancy in Fitz's voice when he says we need to go.
"Yeah, I should get going myself," Eli comments as he begins to pack his backpack.
We say goodbye to Adam and Drew and walk out together. Eli waves and gets in his car while Fitz and I get into Owen's car. As Owen pulls up to our house we see our mom's car but not Rudy's. Fitz and I open the car doors slowly and slide out of Owen's car.
"Call or come to my place if something happens," Owen tells us.
Fitz nods and we walk inside. As soon as we get inside, we see Steve on the sofa drinking his dad's liquor. Steve gives us a grin, his eyes glance from Fitz to me and my brother pushes me behind him.
"Hi Fitzy," Steve says in a mocking tone, "glad you're home."
I hope you are enjoying this new story. I've already started on chapter 3 and will get a couple more chapters up as soon as I can. Next up will likely be "My Fate in the Air, Waiting for Life to Begin".