Because Of You | Jemi

Twelve

Joe had fallen asleep on the couch while his mother was seeing to his wounds, she would like to know what had happened while he was out and who did this to him. She didn't expect it to be her husband. She had covered him with a blanket making sure he was comfortable with a pillow behind his head before she headed up to bed herself. She was worried about her son, none of her girls never gave her trouble like Joe did, they were all good girls but Denise was starting to believe there was more to this story than Joe just going out and getting beaten up.

"Joe isn't here again, my life is peaceful." Nick stated as he sat down with Willa and Demi that lunch time. Demi seemed to be the only one who was worried about Joe when he didn't come to school, she knew what was going on and if she was being honest she was worried that something serious was wrong with him. She wanted to help him and didn't know what else she could do than offer it. Demi looked towards the door when it opened seeing Joe stood there.

"He is here." Willa stated.

"Well he wasn't in any of my lessons." Nick answered the three of them surprised when Joe wondered over to them ignoring his friends calls for him to go over. He had a slight limp which Demi knew why, she had guessed his step father had beaten him last night.

"Demi can we talk?" He mumbled Nick and Willa looking towards Demi who nodded her head up at him gently. They watched as she walked away with Joe who was getting stares, probably because he was with Demi. He couldn't do it anymore, he couldn't be confident to hide what was happening at home. It was all getting too much for him and needed help, Demi knew what was going on and was his best shot at helping him without having to actually tell an adult what was going on. They didn't say anything as Joe led them through the halls but Joe was holding back his tears not wanting to break down in front of her. She could see the limp he had better now. They soon entered a classroom Demi had never been in before but it seemed abandoned, as if a teacher hadn't taught in here a while. Joe switched the light on sitting up on the desk as Demi took a seat up on the desk opposite his. His head was to the ground but Demi could hear him sniffling slightly as he held back the tears. She felt for him, she had been through it all.

"I-I can't do it anymore, your right. My step father beats me most nights but only usually on my chest and legs so nobody sees the wounds on my face. He threatens that if I tell anyone he'll kill my mom and my three older sisters." Joe spoke in a slight whisper but Demi could still hear him. Then he broke down Demi sighing as she got up giving him a hug. Joe wrapped his arms loosely back around her sobbing into her shoulder. She held him as he cried allowing him to let out all the emotions he had been hold in for so long, she couldn't blame him for feeling like this. Just wanting to cry it out to a person who would understand. It took a couple of minutes for Joe to settle down pulling away from her wiping her eyes.

"Feel better?" She questioned keeping her hands on his arms.

"A little bit, thanks," He mumbled finally looking up at her, she could see a faint mark where a boot had been pressed down on his face, you couldn't see unless you were close up. "H-How did you know so quickly though? You knew from the moment I spoke to you."

"I went through it all before Joe, the reason I moved was because my father did the same thing to me most nights. I finally got the courage to tell someone and he's been arrested now and is in jail now, I live in care now." Demi explained.

"Oh." He mumbled.

"I'm not pushing you into telling anyone and I'm not going to tell anyone myself because it's you who needs to do that but I'll be here for you Joe. If you ever need a cry or to talk to someone about it I'll be here for you. I know how you feel and I want to help you where I can." Demi explained smiling as Joe cracked a small smile himself. He felt a lot better now someone knew his secret.

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