A Boy From Manning Heights ✔️

Chapter 40 | Beckett

When I get to the staff lounge I move over to one of the computers in the corner of the room and start typing in my schools name. As soon as I have their web page up all I can do is stare at the picture of the building. I don't want to go back there, but what choice do I have?

My father finds out I dropped out; he gets angry he beats me. My father thinks I'm still in school; he still beats me, but at least I'm less of a disappointment.

I don't even realize how long I'm sat here just staring at the screen until Derek sits down.

"You good?"

I'm shaken from my thoughts and turn to him shrugging.

"Fine"

He lifts a brow.

"I heard about what happened this morning, Jasper in trouble?"

I shake my head. My nap helped me get over my nerves regarding Jasper being brought into the police station.

"No, just routine questioning"

Derek nods and I note the second he glances at my computer screen his brows scrunching together.

"What are you doing?"

I suck in a breath because telling him is just as scary as telling Jasper. Both of them hate the way my father controls my life, but neither of them understand.

"Reenrolling"

Derek's eyes widen and he reels his head back.

"What?! No Beckett"

I sigh because this is what I was trying to avoid.

"I have to Derek, my father is expecting me to go back to school in a couple weeks"

I can tell he's pissed by the way he's bouncing his leg.

"So that's it? He wants you in school so you go back? What the hell was the point of you dropping out in the first place then?"

I bite my lip. Not knowing what to say. He's right, I dropped out because I didn't want to be there, but now I'm just going to go back?

"I don't know what else to do"

I hate admitting failure, but it's the honest truth.

"Do what you want Beckett, don't give your dad the opportunity to hurt you for it"

I nod slowly, but it's half hearted, his words are easier said then done.

"Maybe"

I know he's not satisfied with my answer, but neither am I. I don't know what the solution is. How do I just avoid my father? The answer is I don't. I can't.

"I have no way of escaping him"

Derek shakes his head.

"That's not true, you escaped him here"

I nod slowly.

"I did, but only for a short period of time"

Derek sighs.

"It doesn't have to be, you don't have to go home"

I turn and face him.

"Yes I do, where do I go if I don't?"

He makes a face. I know it's because he doesn't have a good answer.

"You can stay at my house"

I sigh.

"For how long? I'm not a charity case, besides my father would only make your family's life difficult if he knew you were helping me disobey him"

I bite my lip and drop my head into my hands sadly.