Demi sat down next to Willa Nick being the other side giving them a look telling them to behave as Joe sat down in the seat next to hers. She wanted this lesson to go well, for Willa and Nick to notice how much Joe is wanting to change who he is but also for them to notice something is wrong. She had promised Joe that she wouldn't tell anyone about Gary but that doesn't mean if someone else figured it out they couldn't tell someone higher up.
"Um hey Joe," Nick greeted Joe giving him a warm smile, Demi smiled too thankful that they were at least trying noticing that he was down. "How is baby Jackson?"
"He's doing fine, Beth found out she's having another boy." Nick couldn't help but laugh, he knew how much his cousin was wanting a little girl.
"I guess it's your mom's turn to have loads of boys in the family."
"You're telling me, I think the numbers are starting to even out." The four of them laughed, Demi was beyond glad that they were giving him a chance and by doing that they had found out who Joe was really was and not the person he became at school to get away from the pain.
"Thanks for today Demi, you really helped. Just wish me luck on going home." Joe rolled his eyes gently making Demi giggle as she leaned up kissing his cheek gently, Joe too smiled as she came back down on her feet having needed to go on her tip toes to reach his cheek. He was glad he had became friends with her over the day.
"It's not a problem but you won't get a beating tonight." Demi stated in a slight whisper so nobody would hear them as they walked past.
"I find that hard to believe, he's always doing something." Joe mumbled but was surprised when Demi took their hands tangling their fingers together, he felt something as soon as she touched her hand to his. That was something he couldn't ignore, he knew he was falling for her the more time they spent together and he couldn't help it.
"I'm coming over and we're dating, surely he won't touch you if his step son's girlfriend is over?" Demi questioned Joe not helping but crack a smile.
"I don't suppose he would." Joe begun biting his lip gently when Demi let go of his hand, he didn't want her to let go.
"What's wrong?" She questioned as she looked at his expression.
"Nothing, let's go." Joe insisted pulling his bag up his shoulders more as he begun to lead the way home. He'll admit he was nervous to her coming back to his house, it was tidy because his mother still lived there but he knew if it was just him and Gary it wouldn't be so clean. He was nervous to see his father's reaction to him having a so called girlfriend, maybe he would get out of a beating tonight but maybe he would just get it worse when Demi was done.
"I hope this works, I'm sorry if it doesn't" Demi spoke.
"It's fine if it doesn't because you're trying and I can't thank you enough, I'll protect you if he tries to touch you." Demi smiled as she thanked him.
"You don't have to thank me for anything though, I know exactly what you're going through and it's tough but having another fag won't help." Demi stated grabbing the fag from his mouth Joe groaning as she put it out against the wall putting it back in the packet and in her bag.
"I don't need another one." Joe told himself.
"That's all you need to tell yourself and the rest will be easy hopefully anyway, I have no idea what it's like to quit." Joe laughed kissing her cheek this time as they came onto his street, he grew more and more nervous the closer he got. As soon as he was in the house his name was shouted from his father, Demi already choking on the smoke and stench of beer filling the house. Joe took in a deep breath before taking her hand. He entered the living room knowing he might have just put Demi in risk as much as he was.
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