The car ride home was the quietest one I've even been in. None of us talked and some of us cried. Dani was crying, she didn't know what was going to happen when we got home. Was he going to be home? Was he going to yell? Was he going to be mad? Do I even want to know?
I don't have a choice. I'm about to find out in about thirty seconds. We're pulling in the long driveway and I get restless. Chloe notices and squeezes my hand. I squeeze back and she gives me a smile of encouragement. Korbin parked the car and we sat there for a few minutes. Each of us trying to get the courage to move first, none of us wanted to. Finally I have in, I need to be strong. Starting now, I will be. Whatever comes my way. I won't go down without a fight.
I make Chloe scoot over and open the door. She hesitates at first, but then she goes. Everyone else follows after us. I give myself a little pep talk and give Chloe a long hug. I want to cry again, but that can wait.
Right now, I'm going to go inside. I'm going to grab enough shirts for a few days. I'll come home after school when it gets back in. I don't know who I'm going to stay with yet, but I'm not staying home. I'm not taking any chances. Liam isn't going to get what he wants now. It's my turn to get what I want. All I want, is to be happy right now. I deserve that. Don't I? Maybe, maybe not. Who knows.
We all walk up to the porch and I'm the first to stop. I need to grow some balls and go. One step at a time. You can do this. Yes, he's probably home, but he won't touch you. Not after the boys beat his ass... I think too much.
I put on foot in front of the other and slowly walk up the stairs. I lose my balance and James notices. He grabs my waist, one hand on each side. I don't fall, I grab his hands and get my balance back. I stand there for a minute, until the dots in my vision disappear. I let go of James hands and grab the railing. He keeps one arm around my waist to keep me from falling. We walk the rest of the way up the steps and I reach out to open the front door.
It's unlocked. That doesn't surprise me. We never really lock it anymore. We live in the country and no one really sees a point in it. I turn the knob and push the door open. I walk in and James let's go of my waist but he puts his hand on my back. Just to help me to keep from falling.
"Is anyone home?" I yell through the house.
No one responds, so I think we'll be okay. Christina and Jason are waiting in the Camero when I look out the window. They're waiting, I guess they know I'm not planning on taking too long. I'm just grabbing enough clothes for a few days, and maybe an outfit for my New Year's Eve party. That's in two days, if it's Saturday. I still haven't asked yet. I don't really care right now.
"G ab some clothes Dan. We're not staying here." I tell her.
I don't mean to come off like a bitch, it just happens. She's not fazed by it though. We both walk upstairs and she goes into her room to pack her bag. I walk into my closet and James follows behind me.
"Grab me a few jeans, and some leggings." I say without looking at him.
I hear the drawers open and some shuffling. I walk over to grab some shirts and tank tops.
"Grab a few shorts too, please..." I ask.
"Alright babe." He quietly responds.
"Colt said you could stay at his place. He said we could all stay if it would make you feel better..." James says.
He's upset too, you can tell. I grab my "save second base" shirt, my elephant sweater and shirt. I grab my good vibes shirt and a couple other ones to wear or sleep in. I grab a few tank tops and shove everything I have in my arms into a Nike duffle bag. I walk over to my dresser and open my bra drawer.
"I want everyone to stay, if it won't be a problem with his parents..."
"They're on a vacation for three more weeks, they left him alone at home." He responds.
"Alright, then we'll all stay with Colt for a little while." I say.
I grab all the clean bras I have, which is about seven, I put them into the bag too. I grab all the clean underwear in my drawer and put them in the bag too. It's about full so I grab my Adidas backpack and shove a few pairs of Vans and Chucks in the bottom. James comes over and puts the jeans, shorts, and leggings into my Adidas bag. I hear the pitter patter of my little Annie's feet on my closet floor.
I turn around and smile. I zip my my Adidas backpack and put it on my shoulders. James zips my Nike duffle and carries it. I pick up Annie and we walk out of my room, down the stairs and into the kitchen. I set Annie down for a minute and grab her dog bowls. I grab the bag of dog food in the utility closet and James grabs it out of my hand. He carries that and my Nike bag, while I carry Annie, her dog bowls, and my backpack.
We walk outside and everyone is waiting for us. They're all standing around the jeep or sitting in it with the doors open, just talking. It's the first I've seen them all smile since yesterday. Colt looks over and smiles at us. James nods his head and Colt nods back. My guess, James told Colt that we were all staying with him. Jason hands Colt the keys to the Camero and he hops in. Dani's bags are in the back already and Christina is sitting in the back seat with them. Colt turns the car on and waits for the rest of us. Dani gives me a kiss on the cheek and hops in the passenger seat.
Korbin turns the Jeep on and sits down. He opens the back of the Jeep with the push of a button. I sit Annie in the back seat and walk to the back of the Jeep. I put my bag and Annie's bowls in there and James puts the duffle bag and dog food in the back and shuts the trunk. We walk to the side and I get in first. I sit in the middle again. Chloe on my right, James on my left, and Annie on my lap. Korbin was driving again and Jason was in the passenger seat.
"Let's go." I quietly say.
Korbin puts the Jeep in revers and we back up until he can get out of the driveway. He drives down the long drive and we pull over so Colt can get in front of us. We're just going to follow him to his house. Even though it's hard to miss, I just don't think Korbin feels like thinking too much. It'll take about 20 or 30 minutes to get to Colts house, and I'm tired. I lay my head on James's shoulder and close my eyes. He grabs my hand and Annie lays down. After a minute I hear her snoring and I know she's asleep. Next thing I know, I am too.
