Delphine's Family

Chapter 28- The Backyard

Delphine's POV

Waking up in this morning I hurry and take off Nico's hoodie for the dozenth time this week. It's been a week since I came from the hospital, and everything seemed to go back to normal. Since that night I put on Nico's hoodie I have been sleeping with it every night and taking it off in the morning hiding it in my room. It has since lost its smell and was traded with my own. 

Getting up late this morning everyone else is already gone, my dad has been leaving me notes every morning. Today was no different his note simply told me to do my school work, take it easy and call him if I need anything. My friends have been coming over every day for lunch, they claim it is to check on me but I believe it is because they can leave school for about an hour but whatever I enjoy the company. 

I still haven't told anyone about why the Burned Roses had attacked me, but my dad was giving me space so I wouldn't be stressed. I know that he is going to start asking questions but I have been avoiding it but I know it's coming sooner or later. 

I honestly have no idea what I am going to tell them. I mean how can you tell people who care about you that your own mother allowed people to beat you in order to pay off her debts. Like my dad already feels guilty for not knowing about me, imagine how he'll feel when I tell him how long my mom was allowing this to happen. 

I was never sent to the hospital so he has no record of how long this has been going on. When I would eventually wake up on the ground I would limp home take care of my wounds myself and then continue on my days as normal as possible. It's not like anyone would believe me. We lived in a terrible part of town where everyone is considered a druggie or a hooker. 

Walking into the kitchen I grab an apple and water and put some bread in the toaster. I eat my apple while looking through my assignments. Right now I am a little behind from not being able to go to school for four days. I have been working on the current day's assignment first but some assignments require me to go back to past lessons. 

Eating my toast I sit in the kitchen doing my work after about an hour and a half the current day's work is done. Looking over at the past lesson I pick out the easiest. I am able to do two before I hear the front day open and close with multiple footsteps and voices coming inside. 

Closing my computer Leona and Nolan come in first. Nolan simply walks in and says while Leon runs over and gives me a hug avoiding my ribs somehow and saying how much he misses me. 

Managing to push him away Faye comes and sits next to me and starts talking to me. We all sit down and talk they catch me up on the drama at school. I can hear Nolan and Leon arguing about girls. They have this weird competition going on that I will never understand. 

After about 20 minutes or so Faye and Mina continue talking to me. Nico comes out with plates of food. He had made us all grilled cheeses. He had me and Mina our plates first then he gives Faye and Nolan plates. Lastly, he gives himself and Leon plates. 

We all sit down and eat lunch together. When we finish everyone puts their plates in the sink. Which I will wash later along with the pan that Nico used. When I first started washing the dishes they all got mad at me until I explained that I was bored and that if water got under my brace I could simply take it off and dry it. 

I walk them all to the door, Nico is the last to leave. When he puts his plate in the sink he checks the backdoor's lock and when he goes out the front door her has me lock it and then tries to open it. When they all leave I go back to the kitchen and wash the dishes. 

With the dishes drying I grab my computer and start doing work again trying to get caught up. After an hour I get all work done and have a silent celebration for myself.  Walking back to my room I put the computer back and leave. For some reason, it seems depressing to sit in my room all day. 

Walking in the living room has no appeal so I decided to go to the backyard. We haven't really ever spent any time outside. The house is beside a wooded area, the only behind the property is a small forest. I explore the area to find a small patio with a fire pit and lounge area. In the trees, I find a small area with a hanging egg chair from the tree. 

Liking the area I go inside to grab one of my books. Since being here I have increased my collection a lot I've started storing them on my desk in piles. I grab one of them that I haven't read and go out to the hanging chair grabbing a bottle of water. 

Reading outside I lose track of time. It isn't until I hear my name being yelled do I realize that my book is almost over. I walk to the house where my name is still being yelled. I walk in and see my dad running down the stairs holding my phone.

"Delphine!"

"What?" He rushes over to me.

"Thank god." He wraps me in a hug muttering how he was worried about me. "Never do that again."

"Do what? I was reading." 

"I was looking for you."

"Sorry I was outside reading and lost track of time."

"Fine but never leave your phone." I grab it from him noticing the 25 missed calls from him. 

"Sorry." 

"It's fine I was calling you to check on you but you didn't answer." 

He stays for a few minutes after making sure I was okay. I told him how I had taken my pain meds and stayed inside this time finishing my book on the couch. When I finish it I started watching a random show on Netflix waiting for someone to come home to entertain me.