Picking up the Pieces

Chapter 3

After i learned some more about Arron, Tyler, Scott, and Issac, we went and were now sitting on the couch watching the t.v and talking.

" So what school do y'all go to?" I asked looking at them all, " We all go to Eastwood High, its about 10 minutes from here." Arron said looking at me, I nodded and said, " I've heard of that school but I've never been there, I went to Downtown Eastwood High, it was a longer ride there but it was all I could afford." " Afford?- what do you mean?" Tyler asked looking confused, " Mark, well he wasn't going to let me go to any other school because they were longer, and I had to have the house spotless, and I had to have good grades or he would....ummm...you know beat me," I finished in a whisper at the end, I felt my eyes burn as tears tried to escape them.

" Umm, do you guys want some food?" Mom came in and asked from the kitchen, obviously listening in on our conversation and changing the subject. I was thankful for that, I wasn't ready to tell my story yet, soon but not now.

They guys nodded seeing me upset and we all rushed into the kitchen, I held back though trying to make the tears go away, " Hey are you alright?," I heard a voice behind me and felt someone touch my shoulder, I turned around to see Issac looking at me with concern, " Yeah I'm fine just-just hard you know?" I croaked back at him and be nodded before saying, " Okay well come to me if you want to talk, I understand what your going through," He said pulling his sleeve up showing lines all up and down his arms. I gasped quietly and looked at him shocked, upon seeing my expression he said, " Yeah it was 2 years ago, my parents they got divorced and I blamed myself," I nodded and asked in a whisper, " Can i-can I touch them?" He nodded and said, " Sure go ahead," and held his arm out.

I carefully put my hand on his wrist feeling all the perfectly raised lines on his skin, and felt him shiver, I ran my finger over one scar almost near his elbow and heard him let out a gasp, I snatched my band back afraid that I had hurt him. " Oh My God I am so sorry-did I hurt you?!?" I asked hurriedly, scared if I did.

He looked at me in surprise, his clear deep green eyes burning into mine, " What No its-its just feels weird, your the first person I've ever let touch them," He said with a blush on his cheeks. I felt what felt like a rush of warmness go through me and felt my cheeks heat up. I looked at him with a small smile on my face and asked, " Really?" he nodded and said, " Yeah, really, the boys they helped me a lot, even if we didn't talk or anything they helped me, they saved me from myself," he finished with a small smile on his face.

When he looked up though, his eyes were shiny with tears, seeing his face, I thought back to what I promised myself and reached forward and hugged him, rubbing his back and felt myself be wrapped in his arms. I hugged him as hard as I could with my little strength, and patted his back.

After a minuets or so I pulled back and whispered up at him, " Hey, your doing good, I didn't go through your situation but I know what the feeling is like, I was one too," I said and pulled up my shirt showing my hip that was covered in slashed and scars, I heard Issac gasp and looked up to see him with something akin to graditude in his eyes, he carefully reached forward and rubbed his finger tips over the old and grey scars, and gently touched them in a feather kiss of finger tips against skin. He pulled back and smiled at me before suddenly hugging me hard and whispered, " Thank you for telling me that, it means a lot to hear that, and to have someone know what is is like to have the need for that relief." I nodded and said back, " No thank you for telling me your story Issac and trust me, you have some good people who care, so hang on to them alright," he nodded and said pulling back, " You may not notice now but you have some really good people who care too."

I nodded and looked into his eyes, drowning in the emotions rushing through the deep green pools. I smiled at him and suddenly my stomach growled, ruining the moment He smiled back and let out a little laugh. I felt my face burn a second time as I smiled and laughed with him before we both headed into the kitchen to get lunch.

****Time Lapse****

After eating the pizza rolls mom made for us, childish I know but I haven't had one in forever!!!! It was weird though seeing mom bop around making food, watching her I had a feeling of deja vu.

Issac and I sat side by side with elbows hitting each other every time we went for some more of the delicious tan pizzaria squares. I felt happy, a feeling I thought i would have never felt if Jackson hadn't saved me.

I was quickly snapped out of my thoughts though by someone clapping loudly, " Hellooooo, Ashleykins you there love?" Issac asked almost and inch from my face, I giggled and replied, " Yeah I'm here just thinking, and Ashleykins really?" while raising my eyebrows. Isaac's face went from tan to beet red in about 2.7 seconds, " If you don't like it i-" he stammered looking sheepish.

I just laughed and said, " Easy tiger, I like it, no ones ever given me a nickname that nice before other than Jacks calling me Ash," he nodded and smiled at me, it took my breath away truly, I felt my lips twitch and decided "why not" and smiled with just as much happiness that Issac had. We both heard a chuckle turned to see Mom standing there, " What?" I asked looking at her, she had a small smile and her eyes were full of mischief. "Oh nothing, I was just wondering if you wanted to see your room, I had the boys help me move furniture!" i nodded and grinned, getting up from the couch and following Mom upstairs and down the hall to a door right next to the bathroom with a White foam A with green swirls on it. I felt my eyes tear up at the object and looked over to see Issac and Mom smiling at me, I took a breath and put my hand on the door nob and twisted it...

My eyes landed on walls painted blue with small white and green swirls all over the room, the carpet was a beautiful white and the queen bed was huge with lots of pillows on it.

I looked left and saw a dresser with a huge mirror along with a desk by the t.v mounted on the wall, it had a laptop on it and other stuff. I looked right to see a window seat and on the east wall of the room was a mural of the forest with wolves running through it chasing an elk.

It was beautiful and with the sun light hitting it it was surreal, I literally expected the wolves to pop out and continue hunting it was so life-like. I let out a gasp and turned to Mom who was still standing outside the door way with the others around her.

I smiled and chocked out past the lump in my throat, " Its beautiful, I love it, thank you, no ones ever done something this nice to me," I looked at mom and reached out to her and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

When I pulled away I rubbed my eyes and asked,"how did you know?"I remembered when you told me about your dream room."Mom said with a smile on her face, I nodded before Jackson moved himself through the door with a camera chanting," Picture time!!!!We need pictures!!!" I giggled and the others came through while Jackson handed the camera to Mom and we all lined up: Tyler, Scott, Issac, Me,Jackson, and finally Arron. I smiled big and happy as Mom counted down, 1,2,3 CLICK!!! When the light flashed I only thought, " I'm home now."

End Chappie!!!!!!

(Authors note)

Who another chapter, the next one will be even better i promise!!!, Now if any body wants to tell me anything they think I'm doing wrong please tell me, I want to get better on my writing and a little criticism never hurt anyone, but remember: GOLDEN RULE!!!!!!!. If you go back and read my authors note you will see what that is all about!!! Now Bye all My Little Lovelies!!!!!!!! Hope you have a good day!!!!!