12 Years Young

Chapter 3

I woke up to sun shining through the treehouse window. My head was moving up and down, but I wasn't doing it.

I opened my eyes more and then I noticed Chris grinning at me like I was the funniest thing.

"What?" I said groggily. I grinned back but it was a weak one.

"Nice pillow." He said with a laugh that stopped short and ended with him groaning.

My eyes suddenly seemed wide awake and I lifted my head. I turned to the right to see Gordie still asleep.

I pushed myself off of him and scrambled back.

"What're ya freaking out about?" Gordie asked sitting up into his elbows.

He doesn't even know. I watched him look at me confused.

"You slept with my sister." Said Chris with a wheezing laugh.

I felt my face get real red and I glared at Chris. "Go screw!" I said crossing my arms.

Gordie's face was red and he was glaring at Chris as well.

"Don't be so uptight! I'm messing with you!" He said sitting up with a little moan.

"Chris please don't hurt yourself anymore by moving." I said watching him.

His bruises on his stomach went from black and blue to almost all black. One big bruise and multiple smaller ones spread across his stomach. He had a swollen black right eye. I hated seeing him like this. At least nothing was broken this time.

"Hey you guys I'm starvin'. Could you maybe find some food?" Chris asked leaning his back against the wall of the treehouse.

"Yeah, we got it." I said opening the latch and climbing down.

"I'll be down in a minute!" Gordie called from the hatch.

•••
Gordie's POV

I was getting ready to climb down when Chris grabbed my arm.

"I'll be down in a minute!" I called down to her.

"What is it Chris?" I asked turning my attention to him.

"Please don't hurt her. She deals with that enough already." He said looking down at her as well.

"Hurt her?" I asked. I tried to look confused. He knew my feelings towards her though.

"Come on Gordo, you know what I mean." Chris said in a serious voice.

"You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt her." I whispered to make sure she didn't hear.

The past summer JoAnne had started hanging around more often. The other girls didn't like her so Chris brought her to us. I hadn't paid much attention to her until the middle of last summer. I didn't tell Chris until the school year.

"Pinkie swear?" Chris asked squinting his eyes.

"What the hell is taking so long!?" Jo yelled up at us. I looked down to see her glaring up.

"Pinkie swear." I said crossing my heart and showing Chris my pinkie. Chris is usually the only one in the gang who kissed his finger. He says it adds to the promise.

"Good, now go find food." He said with a grin. I fake saluted him and started making my way down the ladder to Jo.

•••
Jo's POV