The Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect 6

That summer

I ran. The sand reducing my speed. What have I done? Why did I do it? I heard sirens in the distance and hoped that no one saw me. If anyone finds out, I'm dead. Just like him, my dad. He left us to fend for ourselves. I never knew him, I don't even know how he looks.

The night air bit into my skin. I didn't even think of bringing a jacket. I went out for a walk, but I didn't know that I would do what I did. I made my way back home, trying to avoid the cops. What have I done? Why did I do it?

I walked into the living room. My brothers were there, all three of them. Josh, Chris and Danny. Mom was in the kitchen singing. She stopped a started talking to someone. Emma, Josh's wife, answered back. Why were they here? They came into the living room and sat down on the couch. They didn't see me.
"Hey, Q." Emma said when she finally noticed me. They all turned towards me. "Did you enjoy your walk?" Mom asked. I nodded and moved towards the seat next to Chris. I sat down and he pulled me towards him. I always felt safe in his arms. He always protected me.
I had a feeling that they were here for me. Why else would nobody tell me that the would be here? "Is something wrong?" I asked. Stupid question, I know, but I acted like I didn't sense the tension.
"No..." Josh started to say, but he was cut of by Emma. "Listen, Q. I know what you're going through." What!? "You have a boyfriend now and I now you want to spend as much time with him as you can, but you shouldn't let your studies come second." My grades! They are here because of my grades. Emma is my English Lit teacher and I have been failing a few tests, but it has nothing to do with Hunter.

Okay, maybe I lied. It wasn't my grades it was me, and Chris. He was furious when they told him. He stood up and punched a hole in the wall. He swore. He yelled. After minutes of swearing and yelling, he sat down. He looked at him and I looked at him. His eyes were bloodshot. He put his head on my lap and wept. I laid my head on his back and cried. "I can't believe it." He mumbled. Mom cried and Danny ran upstairs. Josh came closer. "It could have been worse. I mean you two could have been in an orphanage your entire life. You are one of the few kids that are able to grow up with a family that loves you. I am proud to call you family." He said.

It's not like she couldn't have children, she had Danny. I accepted it. It could have been worse. We could be dead, but for some reason it didn't feel right anymore.

Josh was right. What is the worst that could happen?

At that moment it didn't feel like anything could go wrong. Until I heard a siren and there was a knock on the door. I was screwed.