Being in a group home wasn't ideal for anyone, but for the six teenagers, it was the best they could get out of the crappy system. In other's eyes, it was an odd way to form a friend group bonding over being in the same abusive home. But in their ey...
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"I hate to say it," Walker grumbles, glancing at our intoxicated friends. I knew I should have taken away the bottle when they suggested we started playing strip bottle.
For those who don't know what that horrid game is, you spin the bottle and if it lands on you, boom, theitem of clothing is gone.
Obviously, they never got to it; one of them brought up the idea of going to 'visit' Walker and dragged me along.
"But you dumbasses." He glances at me. "Not you." I smile, situating the hat back on my head. "Saved my ass."
"Huzzah!" Alea cheers, leaning into my side. I internally groan, the added pressure along with Mak's whole body weight does nothing for my aching body. Recently everything has been hurting nonstop.
"C'mon," Walker coaxes, grabbing the girl's wrists and pulling them to him, tucking them each under an arm. I send him a grateful smile, stretching my arms.
"Wait do you mean they saved your butt?" I ask, biting my lip. It probably sounds stupid that I don't use curse words but I never understood the point—using harsh words just to get your point across.
"Leo's dad was grilling me to go tell fucking social services about Robby. After he bailed me out Robby totally went full fists on me in the alleyway," he grumbles.
"You went to jail!?!" Jack gasps, as the elevator dings to a stop.
I frown, looking at his bruised skin.
We walk out as a group and I almost trip over Ares passed out figure. I glance at him worriedly.
"Alright, you two." Walker nudges Alea and Mak toward me, talking to them like children.
I grab their hands. "Hold on, okay?" They nod and Alea starts to swing my hand back and forth as Walker hauls Ares up and slings his arm around his shoulder.
"How about we hang out in an alley or something until these idiots sober up then we can go home?"
"Home?" I exclaim, dragging Alea and Mak after him.
Walker nods, grabbing the back of Jack's shirt. "Robby always is one and done, he's not going to come after me a second time."
Maybe we should tell someone, I shake my head, if we tell someone the boys are probably going to be sent to the center on the other side of the city.
Walker told me he spent a few days there, and it was terrible. You live with about 70 other kids and it's like a summer camp, but minus all the fun activities.
As for us girls, we will most likely be sprinkled across homes around the city, most likely a neglectful home because no one is scouting around for sixteen and seventeen-year-olds with trauma.
I gasp. "Alea, your birthday is soon!"
Walker turns the corner into a small alleyway with graffiti. He takes a sit on a wooden crate, dragging another one next to his, patting his hand with it.
