The Prince

Part 27

"Hey, Noah, do you have a second?"

"Sure, what's up?" He smiled looking up from his book.

"Well, I thought we could talk a bit," Raymond looked at the smiling face in front of him, he seemed so carefree, almost too carefree.

"Is something the matter?" He watched as Raymond pulled up a chair next to him, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"It's about what's happening at home. Have you given it any thought?" Raymond nudged, watching him closely.

"I, I've been so busy, I haven't thought about it," he was slightly worried about where this conversation was going.

"Do you want to talk about it? I'm not sure what's going on, but Jackson and I would like to help if we can," Raymond leaned in closer to him, his voice low to set him at ease.

"It, it's nothing really," his eyes darted away from Raymond's piercing blue eyes. "It's my brother. Normally he's just an asshole who makes life difficult but since he's been hanging out with his new friends, he, well, he's a bit more unpredictable than usual." He was embarrassed talking about this with Raymond and wished that he didn't have to.

Maybe he was making a mountain of a molehill. It sounded so silly to own ears, he could only imagine what Raymond must be thinking. Maybe he should go back. It's not as if he could hide out at their home until he graduated, they had lives of their own to live and he could tough it out out like before.

"And does he hurt you sometimes?"

"I don't want to talk about it Mr Cook, if you don't mind." He closed his mind off to what was lurking at the back of his head. "Sorry."

"It's okay, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," There was a strained silence between them and Raymond could feel the tension in Noah's body. "When you're ready to talk, you know where to find me, right?" He smiled, hoping to set him at ease again, but it looked as if the spell was broken.

"Sorry Mr Cook, I didn't mean to make my problems yours," he mumbled looking at his hands. Why was his heart beating so slowly, he almost couldn't breathe.

"Don't be sorry Noah, we're all here to help you. If there's any way you think we can help you, then please say so. We want to see you happy and safe." Getting up, Raymond ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, we'll sort this out soon."

Noah watched Raymond leave. Turning to his book, he stared at the page without registering anything. It all came rushing back to him, his abusive brother at home, making his life hell, the constant worry about when he'll be thrown out and those times when... He felt his heart constrict and tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't keep running away. What kind of life would that be where he had no peace?

Then there was Skye to think about. His dads couldn't be too happy with him bringing a stranger into their house and most of the time Skye didn't seem too pleased about constantly being dragged into his messes.

--

"Hey Josh," Skye greeted, sitting down for breakfast. "Do you mind giving us a lift to school, it's a bit late," he flashed a quick grin.

"Sure, but Noah left already. Do you want me to pick you up as well?"

"Nah, I'll take the bus, you've got your tournament coming up."

"I'm not going for the world record," he laughed, "it's only a Scrabble game."

"That explains your acid tongue," Jackson took a seat next to Skye.

"You're losing your touch there old man," Josh taunted getting his breakfast.

"So where'd Little Buddy hurry off to this morning?"