This Is Me Trying

Chapter Five

Betty

"Type in your address." Danielle handed me her phone.
I did, and placed her phone on the phone stand.

We rode in silence the whole way there. She parked in the driveway, and turned off the car.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm going in with you."
"What? No. No way." I shook my head.

"Is your step dad home?" She asked.
"He's always here."
"Then I'm coming in with you." She got out of the car.
"Danielle, please don't. I don't want you to see the inside." I begged.
"Betty, it's okay. I know it's not your fault. Come on." She reached out her hand and I took it.

We walked inside, and the smell of weed and alcohol hit me in the face.

"Betty? What the hell are you doing here?" David asked from his seat in the living room.
"I came to grab clothes. I know you're having another party tonight, so I wanted to be out of your way." I said as nicely as possible. I didn't want him to get pissed off while Danielle was here.

He nodded as we walked up the stairs, stepping over beer cans and bottles.
We walked into my room, and she leaned against the doorway as I grabbed a few clothes.
"Pack more than that." She said.
"Why? It's just tonight." I replied.
"Just trust me."

I nodded, and threw a weeks worth of clothes into my bag.
We walked downstairs, and she walked into the living room before I could stop her.

"Sir? My name is Danielle Savre. I work with Betty. I just wanted to let you know we're shooting on location, and Betty is required to come." She told David.
"Okay? Why are you telling me?" He scoffed.
"Because she'll be gone for two weeks. We just wanted to let someone know in case you or her Mother got worried."
"Okay. Take her. I don't care." He took another swig of his beer and turned his attention back to the TV.

We walked outside and got in her car.
"Danielle what the hell was that? Now I can't go home for two weeks!" I said.
"I know. That's the plan." She backed out of the driveway and started back to the studio.
"I don't know if you get this or not, but I have no other family. I can't just sleep in my trailer for two weeks. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be there after we're all done filming."
"I know. You're gonna stay with me."
"I'm what?"

"I have the extra space. You can stay with me. I don't mind. Anything to get you out of that house." She said as she parked the car.

I stared at her for a moment, taking in what she just said.
"Why." I said.
"Why what?"
"Why do you care so much. I'm just a kid. You can just ignore everything that's happened and move on with your life and not have to worry about me."
"Because nobody deserves to go through what you're going through Betty. You're a smart, talented girl. You're a great kid. You deserve the best."

I felt tears rolling down my face, and Danielle pulled me into a hug from her seat in the car.
"I got you Betty. Stefania does too. We have your back."
"Thank you." I whispered.
"Don't thank me. Come on, let's get to work."

*After work*

"What about a movie night tonight bambinas?" Stefania asked as we walked to the cars.
"What do you think B? You wanna have a movie night? We're off the next two days." Danielle asked me.
"That sounds good to me." I said with a small smile.
"Okay. I'll run home and grab Jeff and we'll be over soon." We all walked to the cars and got in.
"Are you sure you want me for two weeks? I don't want to be a burden." I asked.
"For one, yes I want you. For two, you're not a burden and you never will be. So get that silly stuff out of your head." She said as she drove out of the parking lot.

We drove a little while past my house, and Danielle turned into her driveway.
"Wow." I whispered as we pulled up.
"You say something B?" She asked as she turned the car off.
"Uh, no." We got out of the car and I grabbed my bag.

Danielle unlocked her front door, and we walked inside.
"Your house is beautiful." I said looking at everything, my mouth slightly open.
"Thank you. Come on, I'll show you where everything is."

Danielle

"Alright so there's the kitchen, I just went grocery shopping the other day so feel free to help yourself to anything in there."
I led Betty to the spare bedroom, "Here's your room, my room is right next door in case you need me. You have a bathroom attached to your room, if you need a shower everything is in there." I took her bag and set it on the ground.

I turned and she had tears rolling down her face.
"Betty what's wrong?"
"Are you sure you want me here? I still have time to go back to my trailer." She sniffled.
"Of course I want you here, sweet girl. Quit second guessing that." I pulled her into a hug.

We heard the doorbell ring, "Cmon. That's probably Stefania and Jeff."
I led her to the front door.

"Hi beautiful!" I said as I opened the front door.
"Hello bambinas!" She walked in and Jeff followed right behind her.
"Betty, this is Jeff." Stefania introduced.
"Hi Jeff!" She immediately got on the ground and gave Jeff scratches.

"C'mon girl. Time to go potty real quick." Stefania walked to the back door and opened it and Jeff ran out.

"Wait, Jeff is a girl?"
"Sì. The name just suited her." Stefania said as she hugged me from behind.
"What do you want for dinner Betty?" I asked.
"Oh I'm not hungry." She said a little too quickly.
"You're eating. You like Chinese?" I grabbed a menu from the drawer.
"What do they have?" She leaned over the counter to look.
"Anything you'd usually see at a Chinese restaurant."
"I've never eaten Chinese." She said shyly.
"You like chicken? They have a good orange chicken."

She nodded and leaned against the counter.
"Why don't you go play with Jeff? I know you're itching too." Stefania said.
"Okay, I'll be back in a bit." She said excitedly as she ran outside to Jeff.

"You're amazing." Stefania whispered in my ear.
"What do you mean?" I asked with a laugh.
"You're letting her stay here. You saved her from her house, even if it is just for two weeks for now."
"I hate the thought of her being there by herself. Her step dad is a jerk." I shook my head.

"And that's why I like you." She turned me around so I could face her.
"And I like you." I gave her a quick kiss.
"Do you want to stay the night tonight?" I asked.

"Are you sure? We haven't really done that yet..." Stefania trailed off.
"I know I told you I wanted to wait a little bit before we take it all the way. But that doesn't mean that you can't stay the night." I kissed her cheek.
"Okay. As long as you're okay with it."