Neglect

Chapter 9

I was awoken by the sound of a car door slamming shut. "Shit," I heard someone utter under their breath as they tiptoed while carrying me.

I heard a door cracking open and let out a groan when my head hit the side of my entryway. "Sorry, mini Kav. Are you okay?" It just registered to me that this was Gibsie carrying me into what I presumed was my house due to the sound of dogs barking.

I opened my eyes and stood corrected. Everything was a little blurry, as I was still exhausted. I looked towards the kitchen entryway to see my mam and brother standing there. Johnny had water lifted halfway through his mouth, and my Mam only stood still for a few seconds before she came rushing towards me.

"Oh my goodness, what happened?" Mam said as she cradled my head against her chest. She was touching my forehead and searching my body for damage. She stilled when she saw scraping on my elbow and knees.

"Maeve, what the hell happened to you?" I looked up at the sound of my brother's voice. I stilled, waiting to be yelled at, but I was shocked when he walked towards me and took me out of Gibsie's arms and led me to the couch.

I lay down next to a ball of fur and snuggled closer, knowing it was Murph, and he could offer me some comfort in this situation.

"I was driving by when I just saw this big blonde bastard on top of her. He also had this crazy girlfriend yelling, but I couldn't tell who she was yelling at." Gibsie explained on a ramble

"Well, I'm pressing charges on that young boy. Who does he think he is trampling young girls he sees wandering the streets at this hour? And while we're on the topic, where the hell were you? We were worried sick about you."

I immediately sat up and looked mam in the eyes. "Mam, chill out. You don't even know him. It was an accident. He was trying to help me, and then he tripped over himself and landed on me."

"That's bullshit!" Both Gibsie and Johnny said at the same time. They smirked and bumped fists, but I felt myself getting frustrated. Joey didn't do anything. It was my overreacting that caused this.

"So why were you screaming your head off when I was driving by?" This stumped me. I couldn't just say,

oh yeah, see, funny thing, your teammate raped me, and I thought Joey was Pierce O'Neil.

I shivered thinking about it alone. The carnage that would follow a statement like that would be terrible.

I shrugged and nestled deeper into the couch, hoping sleep would overtake me so I wouldn't have to face my problems.

"She's worn out. I mean, it's half past 12. Let's let her sleep it off, and then we'll talk to her about it in the morning. Johnny or Gerard, can one of you bring her up to her room?"

I heard Ma talking, but I was going in and out of conscience. The last thing I remember was being lifted from the couch and praying whoever was carrying me wasn't thinking about how heavy I was.

——————————————————————

I awoke the following day feeling drowsy but well-rested. I dreaded going downstairs, knowing I would have to face my family.

Geez, I slept like a baby. I wonder what time it is.

I looked at the clock beside my bed and saw it read 8.50 a.m. I closed my eyes, trying to get a few extra minutes of sleep, when I suddenly shot out of bed.

Please tell me it's not Monday. Please tell me it's Sunday.

My dreams were sent to the bin as I opened my phone and read Monday. "Aw shite," I said aloud, rushing to get ready as fast as I could.

Only a few minutes later, I heard a loud pounding on my door. "Maeve, hurry up. School starts in 5 minutes, and I'm not being late because of you," Johnny yelled, his loud voice reverberating throughout the hallway.

"Give me two bloody minutes, Johnny. I'll be out in a minute," I lied, knowing I still needed to brush my teeth and pack my sports bag.

I was halfway through brushing my teeth when I heard my phone ping. Something in my mind told me to check it, so I exited my bathroom and picked up my phone.

Johnny: I've left. I was going to be late for school. Patrick has an early appointment and is passing our house at 9:10. Be ready.

Me: What?! Johnny, I was going to be ready in five minutes. You couldn't have waited?

Johnny: No, I have things to do.

I groaned out loud, dreading being in the same car as Patrick. We hadn't talked since that night, and I didn't want to talk to him.

I looked over to my clock and cursed out loud seeing it read 9.03 am

I quickly finished the rest of my morning routine and went downstairs. I grabbed my backpack and filled it with all my books. As I put my last book in, I heard the doorbell ring. I kissed Murph on the head and unlocked the front door.

I opened it to see Pa looking ridiculously good. He had this whole quiet, brooding thing that was working well for him.

He awkwardly shuffled from one foot to the other, bending over to pet Murphy. "Here, I can take this," he said, reaching over to grab my bag out of my hand. My hands were already full, so I complied and handed it over. I rubbed Murph's head again before closing the door and locking it.

"Ready to go?" I asked, hoping the car ride wouldn't be as awkward as this encounter. I wasn't holding a grudge against Patrick for throwing me under the bus, but I was still a tad bit annoyed, so things were a bit awkward.

I put my gear bag into the boot and entered the passenger seat. I was relieved to see my seat warmer already on and the heat on full blast. Patrick waited for me to get my seatbelt before leaving my driveway.