Gabriel

5. You've Got a Friend

I direct him to my house, left here, right there and we were there in less than three minutes.

"Well, thanks for the ride...", I say as I unbuckle. Now what do I do with my life? I can't go back to school. I won't stay at home. I have no family.

"What if you came with me to New York? I have a huge place, you could enroll in school there. A fresh start?" He says hesitantly. I don't give a second thought as I say "yes". He looks shocked at my response.

"I need a fresh start", I murmur. He nods his head in understanding. I still don't trust him, but I think he means well. I'm counting on my instinct, which has never gave me problems before.

"I'll get right on the paperwork", he says, coming out of his trance. He gets out his phone and proceeds to make a call about transcripts, living arrangements and I hear something about social services?

"Social services?" I ask.

"They're coming to the house. Do an evaluation, and by the bruises on your face, it won't be hard for them to give me legal guardianship. If that's what you want. If you say no, I can leave you with them and never bother you again... but I don't think either of us want that. I want to be your friend... if you'll let me", Gabriel looks at my eyes searching for my answer. He would do all of that for me? I get the whole easy living arrangements. I could tell by the Rolex, Armani and Aston Martin that he had no financial problems... but legal guardian? I just met him a few weeks ago. It felt like years. And it felt like we had many more years to come. So with that, I wrap my arms around his neck. He sighs in relief.

A fresh start.

We walk up to my house and I open the front door. I peak my head inside, irrational fear taking over, memories coming back. Even though Gabriel is far bigger than my father, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget what he's done. When every I get touched, it reminds me of his blows. When every I'm called anything but my name it reminds me of how he did the same. I don't think he's even said my name once since my mother left. Gabriel is the only exception. His touch feels like fireworks and when he calls me by my name, my whole body ignites with warmth. Warmth I haven't ever felt before.

I creep silently on my toes through the hallway to the stairs, but then remember Gabriel right behind me. He gives me a confused look.

"Habits", I shrug. That makes him frown, but the peaceful look returns to his face when I grab hold of his hand. We go up into my room and I pull a large suitcase from under my bed. I've never used it before. It was my mother's. I see him looking around the room and I blush at the underwear lying on the floor. I'm not the best at staying clean.

"Sorry, my room's a mess", I say sheepishly.

"No, it's so... you", he says, looking wistfully at the frames on the wall of my mom and I through out various ages. There's even one of all three of us. I see him staring at it for a while. I walk over and stand next to it.

"That was taken at a mall in Portland. We went down there for one weekend, it was the most fun I've ever had. It was a week before he lost his job and started drinking... we were happy", I reminisce. He nods, his eyes still caught by the photo of ten-year-old me. I was chubby kid, I don't know why he'd like that photo.

I grab all my favorite clothes, which isn't much, and some photos of friends- even one of me and my mother- placing them safely in my suitcase. Then I head to the bathroom to finish packing my toiletries. I lastly slip in my razor... for shaving my legs, of course, I lie to even myself. Heading back down the hall to my room, I pack the bag and zip the suitcase, taking with everything I need. Just then a knock sounds on the door.