Not Set In Stone

Stepping Out Of Line

After being told to stay away from the group for a few days, something a certain member mocked you for when you saw him, it came with a strange sense of relief when you received the message from J.C that invited you to a meetup to discuss some things. The relief was because maybe you could try and get back in his good books due to the significance that the group (even with the petty crimes you had done for them) had to you. Really it was the only place you and a sense of security, which is ironic due to the dubious state of it.

Regardless, you were eager to be welcomed back as it was the only place you felt any real validation, more than where you got anywhere. So upon classes ending for the day, you started to make your way to the meet up place. This was when Lizzie entered the pictures as she found out through a disagreement you had with Tyrone during the day (which is honestly a regular occurrence now) that you were heading to the meet up and she tried to convince you not to.

"You don't want to be dragged into anything more serious just to get back into the group" she told you but you told her that it didn't involve her so she should stay out of it. Through all the time she has been around you, you hadn't softened your tone with her but kept it as harsh just to try and push her from continuing the whole thing. She wouldn't give up though.

"Look, just stay out of my business! If I'm hanging around you then sure take note of whatever but if it's my personal stuff then keep out!" You hissed before walking away, heading to the meet up place while making sure Lizzie wasn't following. If she got caught listening in on things then you would both be in trouble and the last thing you needed while being on thin ice with J.C was to anger him anymore than you may have already done by your bitterness towards Tyrone.

But luck wasn't going to be on your side. Due to your eagerness to get back into the group, and due to the rest being a bit late, the only other person at the place was Tyrone and he didn't miss a beat to try and wind you up.

"Finally back? Try not to get kicked out again so soon" he mocked but you replied that you weren't kicked out, that J.C just told you to stay away so you didn't punch out any more teeth. Of course Tyrone didn't listen there and continued to mock you.

"Well even if you are let back in today, you will have probably gotten soft by hanging around that nosy bitch, is she listening now?" He asked, referring to Lizzie and you narrowed your eyes and warned him to not speak of her like that. "Oh, is insulting your girlfriend bothering you?" Tyrone continued mocking and you stepped closer to him, leering over him as you told him that Lizzie wasn't your girlfriend nor was she a friend in general.

"But just because I don't hold her to a specific regard other than a nuisance doesn't mean she deserves to be bothered by anything, only people who deserve hassle should be hassled and since your arrival you have given me many reasons to hurt you such as when you hassled that kid, you don't pick on kids and you don't pick on anyone who doesn't deserve it, you got that, Ty?" You asked as Tyrone stared back at you before looking past you and then shoving you back, shouting for you to back off.

You looked behind you to see J.C and the rest of the gang, you immediately clicked on to what Tyrone was trying to do and so spun to face him, jabbing a finger at him and telling him not to dare and try and play innocent. Granted, you maybe shouldn't have acted so aggressively from the sight the others walked in on as you felt yourself yanked back with a glaring J.C demanding to know what you were doing.

"He just arrived and started to threaten me, jeez, I know we aren't the most respectable of people but you seriously have people as unstable as him in the group?" Tyrone tried playing the victim and you ranted about how he was lying, how he has been nothing but a pain since his arrival and that he thinks he's all high and mighty just for being the brother of the leader of the gang.

Unfortunately for you, blood runs thicker than water and the situation was already against you so of course J.C sided with his brother, something which you complained about. You were tired of the new guy not knowing his place and the fact that he's been causing you trouble since his arrival, a grievance you made very clear to J.C. It wasn't a good move to raise your voice but you did.

"Since my joining of the group; I have been nothing but loyal, knowing my place the whole way through! I have done everything that everyone has asked me to do and I think that is deserving of a little more trust and respect!" You spat, immediately shrinking back at the glare that J.C gave you. He was a person who you don't want angry, not only because he could kick you out of the group but also because when he is angry he can get physical. This was a fact that everyone present knew well so you weren't the only one to shrink away, even the most hardened members of the group did so.

"Think carefully about who you're talking to" J.C spoke slowly, fists clenched and you gulped before saying how you just felt that all you have done should at least earn some more favour on your side. "He may be your brother but that shouldn't mean you should take his side all the time, he's too big for his boots, he's a liability at this rate so he should be the one kicked out if anyone" you spoke with a quiet voice, a near whimper before backing up as J.C started advancing on you with slow and deliberately heavy steps.

You didn't get far as you were shoved forward by the others seeing they didn't want to get between someone like J.C and the one to anger him. This led to you being grabbed by the collar with a glare being directed to you as you started cowering.

"You say Ty needs to know his place but it seems you need a lesson on who not to raise your voice to" J.C spoke dangerously and you started stuttering, apologising repeatedly for raising your voice. "J-J.C, b-b-be reasonable" you whimpered but he told you that he has been by giving you a week to stay away to calm down, that now it seems a physical message was the only way to be clear.

"No, J.C, please!" You begged before being met with a punch to the face, knocking you back against the others who were told to hold you still as J.C proceeded to pummel you until you were dropped to the floor and he kicked you onto your back so he could kneel down and punch you even more. It was merciless, brutal to the point that everyone else had to leave which left you with no aid as you were battered and beaten without any care. It only ended when J.C felt the message was clear before he stood up as you laid there groaning in pain and all bloody as you coughed.

"I didn't want to have to do that; I thought I could let you back in today but it seems you need some more time to reflect. Stay away for another week, don't let me see your face during then" J.C spat before leaving you laying on the floor in pain, a few minutes passed from here before you heard footsteps approaching.

You went to tell the person to go away, expecting it to be Tyrone back to taunt you but instead you heard a shout of your name and you looked up.

"Elizabeth?" You questioned as she rushed over, asking you what happened as you let your head fall against the ground again as you coughed. You managed to speak but only in a weak voice as you told her to just leave you; "I deserved this" you groaned before feeling a hand rest on your shoulder before hooking under it to slowly lift you up.

"Come on, we have to get you to a hospital" she said but you shook your head, almost fearfully, at such a suggestion. "No, no hospitals; they'll ask questions, questions that will get me in more trouble" you said and Lizzie looked hesitant on heeding your word before deciding on another place to at least let you rest.

"Come on, my place isn't too far" she said and you looked at her before bowing your head as she supported your weight. You were quiet but did speak even in a groaning voice; "thanks, Elizabeth". She gave a glance your way before helping you to her place. Even if you may not consider her a friend, there were things that needed to be discussed.

But how much would you say? Would your loyalty to the group let you talk?