Always Out of Reach

Arrested

A week went by. I kept my head down at school. At break and lunch I would stay in the library, avoiding avoiding any possibility of running into Daniel. The last thing I needed was a discussion on my "feelings".

I walked down the corridor that Friday, my eyes staring at the shoes. I was in a daze, not even thinking of looking out for people when suddenly I crashed into someone and toppled backwards....great.

I looked up to see who it was and was greeted with Hunter's face glaring at me.

"Watch where you're going." He snarled. Hunter was one of Daniel's so-called friends. Behind him were the rest of Daniel's friends (also glaring and waiting for me to say something) and Daniel looking awkward and worried about what I was going to do.

I thought for  moment. I could keep my dignity and yell something smart at him (that's what I would have done this time 3 years ago) or....

"Sorry...." I could do that.

"Idiot" Hunter sighed and walked off, the rest of them followed like sheep behind him. Daniel stayed behind.

"You ok?" He said holding out his hand.

"I'm fine." I said, ignoring his hand and getting up myself. "It's not like that's the worst thing that's ever happened to me." I muttered under my breathe so he couldn't hear.

"Are you sure?"He didn't look convinced.

"Yes, I am sure!" I snapped. And with that I marched off.

It's Friday so that meant I was going to my dad's....lucky me.

I waited for him to come and pick me up but he never did...Instead,  at 4 o'clock I heard my mum arrive home with my brother and sister.

"Urrrm mum? I thought dad was picking me up today?" I was so confused.

"Come in the living room Joey. I have something to tell you." I got a knot in my stomach... this sounded serious.

"Mum?"

"I don't know how to say this, Joey, but.....James has been arrested." I swallowed hard and tried not to let out the emotion that was building up inside of me.

"Why?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"It doesn't matter why, Joey? The fact is he has. He was actually arrested 2 years ago for the same thing and your dad knew about it and...." My mum trailed off getting upset.

"Wait....dad knew?"

"Yes. He let you build a relationship with that disgusting man, knowing full well what he had done. He put you in danger, Joey, and I've decided to keep you apart from him for the next week or so until things get sorted. Nicole is not very happy because, as usual, she is on dad's side."

"What did he do?" I demanded, I was very close to tears now.

"I can't tell yo-"

"Tell me!" I shouted

"H-he.... he...just look." She pulled out her phone showing me an article.

I was shocked. I didn't know how to react. James was so nice, so understanding....he couldn't be capable of that. He worked with children at a school, this wasn't him...... This had to be fake.....but it wasn't. James was a criminal.

Authors note:

What do you think James did? I don't know if I'm going to tell you or just leave it to your imagination but let me know what you think

Thanks for reading
Erin xx