Last First Kiss

Chapter Twenty

My parents took a few steps towards our front door and I tried to follow them.

'Bea.' Declan's deep voice came from a few centimetres behind me. His large hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. My head fell and rested on my chest, refusing to look at him. Declan's hand squeezed on my arm, shooting pain up it. I looked up but they second I did, Declan came forward and pressed his lips to mine. He pulled away, smiling and stared at me; not letting go of my arm.

'What do you want?' I spat. 

'Wow. What's up with you?' He didn't wait for an answer. 'I want to know where you've been for the last two days and why haven't you answered any of my calls.' His hand tightened around my arm.

'Declan get off. That hurts.'

'Why haven't you answered my calls?' His hand tightened once more until I lost feeling in my hand.

'Declan!'

'Hey!' I heard a voice coming from behind me. Declan released his grip immediately and I turned around. Danny ran up the steps and came face to face with Declan. His cocky smile fell upon his lips.

'Bea are you okay?' Danny asked, turning to me.

'She's fine.' Declan spat. 

'I didn't fucking ask you. Bea. Are you okay?' He asked again. I saw Declan's hand shoot out and Danny fell backwards. A rich, red liquid fell from his nose and lip. 

'Danny, don't.' I saw his fist clench. Danny took a look at me and then back at Declan. His fist unclenched and Declan just smiled smugly.

'For my little sister's sake; you'll remain in tact. But you dare hurt her again and i'll fucking come after you.' And he turned around to walk towards the front door. He stepped through it without another word. I looked up at Declan and he just stared back, his smile had disappeared.

'You should go.' I said. Declan nodded, slowly and stepped down the steps, one at a time. A strong, cold wind blew causing me to wrap one arm around each other. I watched as Declan drove off into the distance. 

* * *

The dining room had an eerie silence except for the sound of metal hitting the ceramic bowls. Danny sat beside me, my parents sat opposite. Nothing was said for a few minutes until suddenly my mother spoke up.

'So Danny. How's America?' My mother asked. 

I just stared at my food, shovelling a few spoonfuls of the soup into my mouth. When Danny didn't reply I looked up and saw him staring at him.

it's fine. I mouthed to him. I smiled and he just nodded then turned to my mother.

'Yeah. The US is great. But Mum...' He put down his spoon and stared at my parents. 

'I'm going to join the Army.' 

My parents both put their cutlery down, and even I looked up. My father spoke first, with a hint of anger in his deep voice.

'What?!' He asked.

'Amber's father died in the Army and I want to fight for him. It was Amber's idea.'

Amber was Danny's new girlfriend. They got together a year ago, whilst Danny was in Spain. Their relationship has been pretty sturdy since then.

'You're risking your life for your girlfriend?' My mum stared at him with a dull expression.

'No. And even if you let me or not. I'm still going.'

'Excuse me?' My father slammed his spoon on the table, making the bowls shake. But Danny just calmly turned towards him.

'That's right. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm twenty one now. You don't control me.'

'Fine. Then go.' My father picked up the spoon and began eating the soup once again.

'Excuse me?' Danny asked. My father placed down the cutlery once again and stared at my brother. Danny's brown hair fell over his eyes but he made no attempt to move it. 

'Get out.' My father stared at him and I watched as Danny stood up silently and walked out the room.

'Danny!' I yelled and ran after him. He ran up the stairs and fell into his room. He started pulling clothes from the drawers and dropped a large suitcase on to his blue bedding. he folded his clothes and threw them in, untidily. He was only supposed to stay for a week, but now I guess he wasn't even staying for longer than two days.

'Danny don't. He was angry at what you said to Mum. He didn't mean go.' I fell against the wardrobe and Danny stepped up to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

'Bea, if i'm in America then I can't look after you. So let me fix this before I go. Did Declan hurt you? Has Declan, ever hurt you?' I bit my lip and stared at him.

'No.' I whispered. Danny let his head drop and he looked to the floor. He knew I was lying, but if I wasn't; then he knew that it'd just end badly. He turned away, sighing then continued packing things into his suitcase.

'I can't help you if you don't tell me.'

'I don't need help, Danny.' I said, watching him walk back and forth, from his drawers to his suitcase.

'Yeah you keep telling yourself that. See you later, Bea.' 

'Danny..' I muttered as he walked out the door. A few seconds later, I heard the slam of the front door.