Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forgetting

Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forgetting: Part 13

I was woken up by the sound of the front door being slammed. I was guessing that John had gone for his paper. I woke up quickly and took a shower. I put on my shorts and a jumper with my hair up in a bun. Hearing the sound of Olly's car outside, I grabbed my bag, a slice of toast and jumped it. Looking up at the window, I saw my mum stroking her face. Vaguely, I could see a large bruise, had John done that? I started to think about the argument last night. My thoughts were stopped by Olly turning the radio up and jamming out to Bon Jovin Living On A Prayer. It was such a laugh being with Olly, he was so lovely, exactly the same as Jaymi. He was informing me of how Jaymi had proposed the previous year. He took him to Rome and asked him to marry him, it was the most adorable thing I had heard.

We pulled up at the airport. I stepped out of the car to feel the warm summer sunshine hit my face. 

"Come on, they're stood over here" Said Olly, guiding me to where the other families were stood.

We hung around in the airport for ages, being disappointed with every notification as every time it was never the boys flight. Finally, their flight was called and we ran over to the gate. Olly and I had planned to let their mums have them first and then they'd be all ours. We were the only partners there. We saw the boys walk out of the terminal, their suitcases dropped to the floor and they were bombarded by hugs from their mums. Olly and I stood back laughing, waiting for them to notice that we were there. When George had finished his hug with his mum, he came straight over to me, tears in his eyes. We hugged so tightly. I looked at him and we burst into tears again, we had been through this amazing journey together. All of a sudden Olly was taken out by a massive hug from Jaymi. They couldn't stop laughing and crying at the same time. Then it came to my turn. After JJ had given the biggest cuddle to his older brother, his mum and his dad it came to me. He dropped his suitcases and opened his arms. I ran into them and jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist. He span me round really fast. I slowly kissed his lips, i'd missed this feeling. He put me down, and we hugged, cried and laughed. He wiped a tear away from my face.

"We don't want your mascara running now do we?"

"Oh stop being such a girl" I laughed

"Come here" He said, pulling me in for another kiss.

It was amazing for the three seconds that it lasted because Olly grabbed JJ and gave him the biggest hug. I felt two hands grab my waist, pick me up and spin me around. It was Jaymi. I turned to gave him the biggest hug, jumping around the airport as we hugged. Then it came to Josh. Josh and I had a signature dance that we made up whilst listening to the radio one morning. We performed it and then he gave me a massive hug. After greeting the whole family, the boys plus Olly and I got into a huge circle for a group hug. Walking out of the airport, JJ had one arm around me and the other arm carrying his luggage. It felt right to have him back with me. 

We got home and the boys settled into the hotel rooms with their families. Then it was back to mine for a big get together. Entering my house, the boys were attacked with cuddles and hugs from my mum. Even Josh and Jaymi who were first introduced and then attacked with hugs and congratulations. We all sat around on the sofa, joking and laughing. JJ, Josh, Jaymi and George were travelling home tomorrow. They all lived near each other so it wasn't as bad as it seemed. George would be moving down to live in a flat with Josh which means he wouldn't be living in Manchester anymore. It had been decided before they had gottent through to the live shows. Initially, this was my last night with all four of the boys before they went to the other side of the country. Everyone was having such a great time, celebrating and partying, that was until John walked in. He stormed into the room, smelling of drink. 

"SHARON" he screamed.

The music was stopped and the room fell silent. I knew what was coming. I ushered the boys out of the house. Jaymi, Josh and George moved quickly but JJ refused to leave. I convinced him to go, it was for his own good.

"And what were those dickheads doing here?" he shouted.

My mum looked at me, I could see the fear in her eyes. It was then that I knew my question had been answered. The bruise on my mums face was from John. She signalled me to go upstairs, I pretended to but sat at the top.

"They boys came to celebrate, I thought you'd be ok with..."

"OK YOU EXPECT ME TO BE OK WITH YOU HAVING YOUNG MEN IN THE HOUSE!!"

"They're Meg's friend's I..."

"Oh her, the little slag.."

I felt a tear run down my face.

"DON'T YOU CALL MY DAUGHTER THAT!" She shouted.

SLAP. That was the sound I heard. A hard, fierce, painful slap. My mum whimpered and ran up stairs, passing me on her way. John followed her up the stairs, pushing me out of the way. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and seen. I ran into my room, crying. I didn't sleep. When the clock struck five O'Clock in the morning, I began to cry. JJ's train was at that time. I knew he had gone and there was nothing that I could do. 

I woke up at three in the afternoon. Plodding downstairs, I was approached by my mum, her face swollen and battered bringing back the memories of last night. I had to stay strong, as much as I wanted to go and slap John, there was nothing I could do. All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. I ran to open it. JJ stood in his hoodie and jeans. Why was he here? What was he doing?.

"What are you doing?"

"I couldn't leave, not with the way he was last night, I needed to be with you"

"Come in..shh"

As soon as JJ's feet stepped in the hallway, John came to the door.

"And who's this?" He said, in a fierce tone of voice.

"This is JJ..."

"oh, urgh" he replied, walking back into the living room.

I breathe a sigh of relief as JJ let out a gasp. I turned to see him looking at my mum and the way she was bruised. He grabbed my hand and my jacket, taking me outside and for a long walk. I explained everything to him, about the argument and about what had happened, what i'd been called. He was shocked, not believing what I was saying. I cried into his shoulder and he listened, not telling me I was stupid or lying, he just listened and comforted me like the boyfriend and the best friend that he was. He explained that he had changed his train ticket to 10pm that night. Arriving back at my house, he kissed me on the doorstep.

"Call me, if anything happens, just call me, I want to know you're ok!"

"I will, go you're gonna miss your train, I love you!"

"I love you too" He said as he got into the cab and it drove down the street.

I opened the door of my house and returned to hell. I hated it here, I just wanted to constantly remain with JJ, he was the only person I felt safe with.  As I walked in, I knew my mum had been crying again. Another argument had taken place. Another beating. What did she ever see in him? Why did this ever happen?