The Devil You Know

Chapter 12: What's Taking So Long?

Joel walked downstairs, leather jacket on and Mohawk spiked up as much as it could be, my eyebrows furrowed, wondering what he was doing.

"Hey, where ya goin'?" I asked, following him outside.

"Just out for a bit" he brushed me off slightly, walking out into the driveway to his car, I followed him, beginning to get angry,

"HEY" I yelled, and I saw Tommy, who had been sitting outside, widen his eyes as he looked at me, i was small but I had a big voice. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" I questioned again, marching straight up to him. He stared at me.

"Don't you yell at me, Naomi-" he started.

"DONT TELL ME WHAT TO DO JOEL YOURE BARELY AROUND ANYMORE WHATS GOIMG ON" he sighed opening his car door and looking at me again.

"I'll be back ok? I won't be long" he drove off and I stood in the driveway, staring at his car drive off angrily. I grunted angrily, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, sitting on the floor of the porch near Tommy. He glanced over at me, but we stayed silence.

"Are you just gonna stare at me forever?" I asked, not knowing how I suddenly got so brave. Tommy's eyes widened, and he shifted his feet, looking away into the distance.

"I ain't starin'" he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest and pulling his hat down a little more. "You're the one who's starin'" He asked and I shook my head, pulling from my cigarette. Brendan opened the door, sliding outside and sitting with us.

"You shouldn't smo-" I glared at him and his mouth shut and we both laughed a little. "Joel gone?" I let out an angry sigh and nodded, I didn't know why he wouldn't tell me anything. Suddenly the door opened again, and I hid my cigarette as fast as I could, grandma walked out holding a big plate of cookies. She sniffed the air and her sweet eyes met mine.

"You smokin' again, Naomi?" She asked, giving Tommy the plate of cookies and turning to me, putting her hands on her hips.

"No grandma..." I mumbled, looking away.

"So why do I smell smoke?!" She came a little closer to me.

"It was me" Tommy blurted out, clearing his throat. Brendan, grandma and me all looked at him with wide eyes, I don't know if he realized what he did, but he just saved me from a whole lecture from Grandma.

"What is a cute boy like you doin with cigarettes?" Tommy looked up at her, shrugging.  She shook her head, talking to herself as she walked back inside. Tommy took a few cookies and handed off the plate to Brendan, who did the same and then passed it to me, I guess we were all gonna wait here for Jade.

"You know what's funny?" Brendan spoke, causing Tommy to groan.

"Brendan shut up you've been talking non stop" The oldest brother glared him, turning to face him afterwards.

"You better watch your mouth" Tommy rolled his eyes, leaning back on his chair.

"Or what?" He laughed "what are you gonna do? Hit me? I'll destroy you" I laughed a little and Tommy smiled at me again. Brendan opened his mouth to speak but all of us went silent when we saw Jade walking down the side walk. She had her bag over her shoulder and she walked over to the porch, sitting down with us, being completely silent.

"Where have you been?" Tommy questioned harshly.

"Tommy calm down" Brendan pushed him a little and then looked over at Jade. "Everything alright?" She left her bag on the porch and stood up.

"Everything's fine" she spoke, her voice was different, I couldn't explain how. The brothers looked at her oddly, but I knew what had happened automatically. She looked at me "wanna go for a walk?" She asked, and I got up without hesitation, leaving the two brothers confused on the porch as we walked away together.