Brad's p.o.v.
•••
"Ross? Are you in here?"
"Brad?"
"Yeah buddy, it's me."
"Brad, I know you said he can't come back, but what if he does?"
"Ross, look at me, okay? Da--" He's not worthy of the name dad. He'd have to act like one. "--that man is not going to be allowed to see us again. He doesn't know we're here. He's not allowed to come hurt us ever again."
"What if he does?"
"Then you will call the police while I let him hurt me, okay? I won't let you get hurt. I promise."
"I want mama to come back."
"She is in Heaven now. She's still with us though, okay?"
"Can you stay with me tonight?"
"Yeah." I climbed into Ross's twin-size bed and realized how lucky we were.
Yes, our mother had been beaten to death by the man I refuse to call my dad, and Ross and I had to move away from our old lives, but we were still alive and we were still together.
My aunt and uncle are amazing people, we live with them now.
I met the Saunders family and I couldn't have asked for a better friend than Claire, or Tyler for that matter. Which reminds me, I need to text Claire.
•••
To: claire(:
i got home in one piece so you can stop pacing/worrying about me
From: claire(:
Is everything okay?
To: claire(:
what do you mean
From: claire(:
You left in a hurry and it seemed like something was wrong...
To: claire(:
my brother had a nightmare
From: claire(:
Oh. What about your parents? Can't they help him calm down?
To: claire(:
they aren't home
From: claire(:
Oh. You can bring your brother over tomorrow if you want...
To: claire(:
we have the nature reserve
From: claire(:
I know. He can stay at my house and you won't have to be so stressed about him.
To: claire(:
if he wants to go i will bring him over and we can walk together
From: claire(:
And if he doesn't?
To: claire(:
i will still walk with you
From: claire(:
Sounds good. Night.
To: claire(:
night
•••
I hate that I lied to her, but I don't think that I should tell her where my parents really are via text message. I don't want to scare her off, or have her treat me differently. I really want to keep hanging out with her (and her family) and I know she won't ban me from her life, but I don't want to make her feel sorry for me, or embarrassed because she has more than Ross and I have.
•••
MORNING (still Brad's p.o.v.)
"Ross? Do you want to go to Claire's house today?"
"Why?"
"It might be good for you to have a change of scenery."
"Okay. Is everybody nice?"
"Yes, and I hope you are nice and polite back. Also, they don't know about mom and dad, so don't talk about it please. Clean up after yourself and call me if you need me, okay?"
"I will."
"Aunt Maggie, I'm taking Ross today! We'll be home tonight."
"Have fun and be safe boys!"
"We will, bye Aunt Maggie."
•••
The next thing I knew, we were on Claire's street. Ross is nervous, he'll like the Saunders though.
I knocked on the front door, and was greeted by a groggy Tyler.
"Hey, man." He said, oblivious to the fact there were two people in front of him. "Claire! It's Brad!" He yelled toward the stairwell.
"Coming!"
Joey had come to the door and saw Ross hiding behind my leg.
"Who is that?" Joey asked, looking at Ross.
"That's my little brother Ross, he's staying here today."
"You mean I can play with him?"
"If he wants to."
"What do you play?" Ross asked, quietly.
"Everything! Come on, I'll show you!"
"Okay! Bye Brad."
"That was easier than I expected."
"Alright, I'm ready." Claire said, joining me on the porch.
"You look nice today." I said, noticing the blush appearing on her cheeks.
"Thanks."
"The weather is nice today, huh?"
What is wrong with me? The weather is nice?
"It is." She agreed with me, at least.
"I wonder if we'll get the same schedule today."
"I hope so." She said, smiling.
"Claire, I have to ask you something."
"I guess I have to listen then, don't I?"
"I guess you do." I said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. "Is it okay if we skip the reserve today? I need to talk to you about something."
"Of course. I'm just going to text Monica saying we've got the stomach bug and can't go in."
"Thanks for being so chill about this."
"I just want you to know I'm here for you, no matter what."
"I know."
"Let's go to my favorite place. You can tell me everything there."
"Okay."
"I'll need to show you how to get there." She said, grabbing my hand, she let go half a second later.
"Sorry, can I...?"
"Lead the way." I said, holding out my hand.
•••
"What is this place?" I asked, taking in my surroundings. There was a clear river a few yards away, and we were under giant oak trees and the grass was seemingly weed-free.
"This is my favorite place. It's not loud, or filled with people. I come here to think and to get away sometimes."
"Get away?"
"From technology, and reality in general. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, I just don't feel like I'm truly alone unless I'm here."
"How did you find this place?"
"I was walking in the park one day, and just... found it. You're the first person I've brought back here."
"I'm honored."
"What do you want to tell me?" She asked, sitting on the grass. I sat across from her before saying anything.
VOCÊ ESTÁ LENDO
about to play my ace
Teen Fictionplay your ace: to do the thing that you know will bring you success. Claire Saunders just wants to be included. Its when she stops over thinking that she learns how to play her ace... in more ways than one.
