The Devil You Know

Chapter 6: School Sucks

I sat in my classes, not really feeling I'm a good mood today, I tried to hide it from Jade as much as I could. Joel and I got in a fight this morning and it threw me off for the whole day. Jade and I shared first and second period together, but separated during fourth and third I had an art and drama class that I was shoved into without even wanting to be. I sighed, heading down the hall to art. I trudged in, exhausted and angry and sat in my seat, automatically putting my head down.

"You alright?" The girl next to me asked, I sighed not replying and taking out my sketchbook. Not paying attention to the lesson and just drawing the whole time until class was over, I guess I was alright at drawing. This was last period, and I couldn't wait to get the fuck out of here.

When the bell rang I got out of that room as quickly as I could, walking down the hall and running face first into Brendan who laughed really hard when he dropped all his stuff.

"Ew, Brendan you took physics?" I picked up his physics textbook and handed it to him, he laughed walking with me to the front of the school to wait for Jade and Tommy.

"It's not as bad as you think" he laughed "I'm pretty good at it" he noticed my sketchbook folded nicely in my arm and he slipped it out opening it and looking through it.

"NO BRENDAN! STOP THEYRE BAD I DONT-"

"What the hell are you talking about these are great!" He spoke a little shocked as he flipped through the pages. I watched Jade approach me with a huge smile on her face, I wondered what it was but she seemed a little happier than this morning. Brendan pulled Jade to him and showed her the sketch book she scoffed and looked up at him.

"I've seen them all Brendan, I already know she could draw" she laughed, leaning her head in my shoulder again, she was exhausted, but we all were. The hallways were full of teenagers walking and talking to their friends, but that didn't stop Tommy who pushed through all of the, to come up to us. He wore his black hoodie like he always did, but he was all sweaty.

"What took you so fuckin long?" Jade groaned as we walked towards the doors.

"Watch your mouth" he snapped. "Wrestling practice" he answered her question, pulling his gym bag over his shoulder. Brendan brought my sketchbook In front of his face, Tommy stared at it. "You didn't do that Brendan, who's book did you steal"

"It's Naomi's" he chuckled, and Tommy grabbed the book, flipping through it. His face turned to view mine.

"You did this?" He mumbled. I nodded, and he looked back down at the book before handing it too me slowly. I hit Brendan's arm with it and shoved it back in my bag.

We walked along the same path as we did every morning and afternoon, I only lived a block away from Jade so it wasn't that bad of a gap between us. We talked and laughed on the way to the house, and when we got there Brendan opened the door, we were home alone, Ma was probably at work and who knows where Pop was.

"Alright I'm gonna make some food" Brendan put his bag down and walked to the kitchen, automatically assuming he was in charge. Tommy took off his sweater, wearing a white undershirt and I stared at him for a minute. He turned and his gaze met mine and we both froze. Jade was the last one in and she closed the door behind her, throwing her bag down and running to the couch where she threw herself on it. I walked past Tommy, who watched me before going to Brendan, and sat beside Jade who was groaning tiredly into the couch pillow. She sat up and looked at me and pushed me playfully.

"BRENDAN HURRY UP" Jade groaned getting up and walking to the kitchen, I followed slowly, something felt off, I felt like they didn't want me here. I slowly walked into the kitchen, Brendan was at the stove making grilled cheese, the only thing he knew how to make, and Tommy sat on the counter, holding two in his hand and eating both of them. Jade punched him "you asshole!" I laughed a little and Tommy looked up at me and smiled, which was a rare occurrence.

"When does ma get home?" Tommy asked, looking over at Brendan who was making more food. Brendan thought for a second and then looked at his brother.

"'Round five, we'll have to tolerate each other until then" he chuckled putting the last of the food into the large plate and putting the pan in the sink, washing whatever dishes were there. I didn't say much, I felt kinda... Unwanted in the house, I knew it wasn't the case but j couldn't shake it off.

There was the sound of a car door slamming shut outside and everyone's smile faded. Tommy jumped off the counter and him and Brendan stood in front of Jade and I. The door swung open and in walked Paddy followed by the stench of alcohol, he was drunk. He turned to face us, eyebrows furrowing in confusion and he mumbled to himself as he headed into the living room. Tommy grabbed some food and put it on a plate and handed it to me, looking into my eyes for a second.

"Go upstairs for a bit, alright?" He spoke, turning and looking sternly into Jades eyes. She nodded and we walked up the creaky staircase together, into jades room and she locked the door behind her.

"Pops drinking again?" I asked, watching Jade sit down on her bed. I placed the plate on her desk and sat next to her, Jade nodded.

"It's worse now, he's drunk all the time." She sighed. I stared at her for a minute.

"Jade,many didn't you tell me? We could've done this at my house instead I know you'd be more comfortable... And you're always welcome..." Jade opened her mouth to speak but closed it when she realized I was right.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't know how.." She frowned and looked at the floor. I pulled her into a hug, wondering what Brendan and Tommy were doing downstairs and why they sent us up here. I wondered if it got bad tonight, maybe Joel could pick me and Jade up, or we could walk, I just wanted her to be happy and safe.