The Devil You Know

Chapter 45: You're Leaving Too?

It was morning now. Everytime Naomi was close to falling asleep she would wake up again. She couldn't sleep at all that night. She sobered up a bit since she couldn't sleep. "Jade, me and Joel are going into the army" was the first words that came out of her mouth. "What..?" I asked, shocked. I guess her and Joel had been planning this for a long time.

"We're leaving. I have to get my shit together with drinking. I need to do this, Jade." She spoke again, her voice cold and harsh. Maybe it would help her. "You've got to write to me every two weeks, okay? If I don't get letters I'll come down there myself." I spoke holding her tight. She chuckled lightly. "You know, you're the sister I never had. Been stuck with brothers all my life, till I met you." I said, smiling a little. "I love you. I promise I'll come back." She spoke softly. "I love you too. You have been there for me through everything. Now it's my turn." I said, running my fingers through her hair.

We both got up and went downstairs. Joel was sitting in the kitchen staring at nothing. He seemed so emotionless and it made me very sad to see him like that. Naomi hugged Joel tight, he hugged back. I went and gave Joel a tight hug as well. Brendan was sitting outside in the backyard. I went out there and sat next to him. "Goodmorning" I say leaning my head on his shoulder. I hadn't gotten any sleep. "How's Naomi?" He asked. "She's holding up" I say quietly.

I grabbed the box of cigarettes on the table next to me and pulled one out, lighting it. "They're leaving. They're going into the army." I said, trying not to cry. I was so afraid to be all alone if she left. "Brendan, I don't want to be all alone." I say quietly. "You've got me, Jade. You're not alone. I'm always here when you need me" He says quietly. Joe isn't gonna want me hanging around Brendan all the time. He barely let me with Naomi because I had to make him let me. If anything, Joe probably won't let me be around my own fucking brother as much as possible, just to hurt me. I clenched my fists at the thought. I finished the cigarette and put it out. "You're not leaving me, right? It feels like everyone's leaving me." I mumble, my fists clenched, holding back tears. "Of course not. You're my sister, you're part of the reason I stayed here." He spoke hugging me tight.

Both me and Brendan got up and went inside. Joel and Naomi were so out of it. That was extremely understandable. They were hurting and it hurt me to see them like this. I considered them family. I hoped they'd be okay in the army, and I'd hope they'd come back. I knew I couldn't stop Naomi from leaving so I just had to accept it.