Don't lose HOPE [COMPLETED]

Chapter 4

ZEKE

Is she for real? She thinks that I just want to take advantage of her or something. It pisses me off.

"Has someone done anything to you?" I say angrily.

She seems a bit scared and I try to calm down.

"No, I just...I want to be left alone. If you knew me and listen to what the other students say about me, you would leave me alone."

I take a deep breath. Thank God. I was worried that someone had done something that I wasn't aware of. According to her health records, she's never had any injuries that would point toward abuse...or rape. Nothing that's documented anyway, and I haven't seen her parents hurt her physically. They've just been neglecting her.

"Luckily, I don't give a damn about what other people say or think. I don't do this because I want something from you. I do this because I care about you."

She looks up at me surprised and says quietly, "Why? You don't know me."

"I want to get to know you, and I would never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable," I say, taking a leaf out of her hair, and she looks at me confused.

***

HOPE

I'm confused and I'm not used to people caring about me. No one ever really has.

"The bath is ready," Kate says, coming out from the bathroom.

I snap out of my thoughts and Zeke lets go of my hands. Kate takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom.

"I'll be in the kitchen, waiting," Zeke says, walking out.

Kate closes the door to the bathroom. It's big, but not as big as the bedroom. I didn't see the house since I was passed out when I was brought here, but seeing how much space and luxury this bedroom and bathroom has, the house must be pretty big too, and they don't seem to lack money.

"I'm going to turn around so you can undress. Tell me when you're ready and in the bathtub," Kate says.

I'm not comfortable enough to show my body to anyone, but somehow, I trust her. She's caring, kind and everything a mother should be. I always wished that I had a mom like her, but I guess it could've been a lot worse.

I take my dirty clothes off. Running in the deeper woods made them wet and muddy, and my hair is a mess with small branches and leaves sticking out in some places. I climb into the huge bathtub and relax when I lie down in the warm, water.

"I'm ready," I tell Kate that turns around and sits down on a chair in the corner.

I know that they're afraid that I'm going to try to drown myself, but I don't think I could do that. Jumping off a cliff is one thing. You just have to jump. Drowning yourself must be one of the worst ways to go.

"Is the water warm enough?" Kate asks me.

"Yes, thank you."

I scrub myself with shower gel and Kate helps me get the leaves out of my hair before helping me wash it. It's so relaxing when she massages the shampoo into my hair. I've never been taken care of like this.

When she's done and I've washed myself off, she gives me a towel and pulls the plug in the bathtub. There's a knock on the door and Kate opens a small crack.

"Here are some clothes," a girl says.

"Thank you, Evelyn," Kate says and closes the door again. "Evelyn is lending you some clothes before we can get you your own or some new ones."