The dance project: YouTube boyband

Chapter 6

Joe came to pick me up from my house as he promised at 1 bang on time. I didn't want to go out after last night because I was worried dad would retaliate again but I figured if I didn't spend any money what so ever it wouldn't matter.

The other reason was that I had to cover up my bruise. It was quite big spreading over the one side of my face and I didn't want any one to see.

I had plastered make up over it but it still looked like there was a bad bruise under there. No matter how much foundation, concealer or powder I layered it with, it was still visible. I just hoped Joe wouldn't notice.

I walked to the car and climbed in the passenger seat.

"Hey!" He shouted as I got in.

"Hi I replied as I turned to face him," as soon as he saw my face he gasped and I knew he had spotted it.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Oh nothing, someone hit me at dance that's all," I shrugged trying to pretend it was nothing hoping he would too.

"The bruise wouldn't come out that quickly, what happened Chlo?" He asked slightly more stern than as previous.

"My dad," I whispered. I was unsure wether to tell him but his eyes read sympathy.

"Why?"

"Because I spent money he could have used for booze on food," I sighed. I tried to be strong but it was then the tears began to fall, one then two then hundreds in one go.

"Come on, you can stay with me and Caspar for a few days," he begged.

"No! My brother! I can't leave him alone with them!" I replied.

"He can come too, you're not safe and I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you!"

"I couldn't do that to you,"

"You would be doing me a favour. Otherwise I wouldn't sleep worrying about you." He put his hand on my leg which made me tear up even more. He was truly caring and Joe was the one person other than my brother who I felt would be there for me.

"Ok," I whispered through the tears.

"Let's go and get you your bags." He said as he began to leave the car. I got out too and let myself in the house.

"Is your dad here now?" He asked looking concerned.

"No but Drew is my brother." I replied. "Drew!"

"What is it Chlo?" Drew replied as he came running down the stairs.

"Me and you are going to stay at Joes for a few days, until it's safe for us to come home," I explained.

"Can I speak to you in private for a minute?" Drew asked.

"Joe would you mind just going up to my room for a minute- sorry,"

"It's no problem," Joe said and headed up the stairs to the loft.

"Chlo, you've only known Joe one day and you're staying over?" He asked.

"Yes, it's safer than it is here! Joe can be trusted I promise, he just wants the best for us. After all as long as we have each other."

"I know but you don't know him!" Drew began to raise his voice.

"Yes but what is he going to do to me? Something worse than dad? He won't! He couldn't afford to - he's famous!" I shouted back.

"Ok," Drew sighed knowing I had won the argument.

"Thank you, and I promise, we will be better off to just have a break for a few days. Now go and pack a bag." Drew trudged up the stairs and I decided to leave a note for mom and dad.

Mom and dad,
Me and Drew have gone to stay at a friends for a few nights, I figured it would be best after last nights events considering me and dad are both on high tempers. We are safe not that dad cares but we will be back in a couple of days when we feel ready.
See you soon Chloe

I headed up the stairs so I could pack my bag with Joe. I found him sat on my bed playing on his phone.

"All ok?" He asked.

"Yep, Drew is just packing a bag."

I grabbed my big sports bag and threw in all my dance kit, makeup and shampoo. Then I put in two pairs of jeans and two pairs of shorts. I also chucked in four tees and two hoodies. I threw in three pairs of pyjamas figuring I wouldn't go far in the next few days. I put in underwear and everything else I was going to need.

Finally I grabbed my photo frame with the picture of the four of us as a family when we were younger. Those were the days we all got on and we were a perfect family.

Now we were broken.

I zipped up the bag and hauled it over my shoulder. "Ready?" I asked Joe and we headed down the stairs.

"Let me have that off you," he said and took the heavy bag from me as we reached Drews room.

"Thank you," I turned to Drews room and began knocking on the door, "ready?" I shouted.

"Coming!" He replied.

Then I remembered I needed some money. However I couldn't take mom or dads because I knew what happened last time.

I had an emergency stash under my bed for when things like this may happen. I had about £50 when I had earned little tips from dance or in my birthday.

"I forgot something!" I shouted to Joe and ran up the stairs quickly so I could grab the small money bag containing my life savings.

I grabbed it from underneath my bed and headed back down the stairs slipping it into my pocket so Joe couldn't see.

"Ready," I took a deep breath from running the stairs twice. At this point Drew was also ready so we headed towards the door.

Drew left first and Joe carried my bag to the car while I locked the house up.

Whilst walking down the drive I looked at the front door and had a moment to myself. It was quite sad how when I was younger I would come into the house excited for family nights and things. Nowadays I would be scared coming into the house for what I was about to face.

I took a deep breath relieving all my stresses. I locked the front door looking forward to the next few days of happiness.