Who's that girl?

Chapter 7- I vow

"How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you."

"What the hell are you doing?" I yelped and Kyle puled me through do the other end of the bush where I landed flat on my bum, the middle aged woman by my side, panting frantically. "You stupid children, whoever comes in here never get out you don't understand what you-" she stopped to fall dramatically on the floor only she didn't get back up, I checked for her pulse calmly, trying not to loose my shit. Thankfully, she wasn't dead, just unconscious.

"Maybe that's why" Mason suggested, pointing over his shoulder at an opening in another bush. Kyle was already dragging the woman out before coming back in beaming. "Guys" Theo said softly and for the first time I looked around. We were in a small green area with nothing but a small growing tree and a note, laminated and cello taped underneath.

'This is Jesse Collin's tree but you're all welcome here' was stated on the paper and Theo brushed his finger over the words slightly. "I miss you so damn much" he whispered and Kyle rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's a good tree" he commented and I threw him a wary glance.

"Yeah. Maybe we should name it" I said sarcastically but Kyle nodded and I rolled my eyes. "We shall name this tree Jesse and all who stumble upon it shall be welcome" he beamed and Theo stood up laughing slightly with watery eyes, there was nothing more I wanted to do that to hug him.

We sat there, on the damp ground for a while talking and laughing and throwing leaves at each other until the aged woman wandered back in. "I think that you all should leave" she said, refusing to make eye contact. Why did she have to gain consciousness? "You can't do that" Mason said dismissively. "Leave," she said with a shaky finger, pointing it to where we had dumped her, "now!" She continued and Mason was the first to stand up. He barged past her nearly knocking her off her feet, Kyle was next to do the same and then I followed throwing her a dagger stare. Theo remained put for a few seconds before clearing his throat, "don't you worry Jesse, we'll come back" he announced and the woman waved her hand frantically.

"Get out, this is not a public area of the garden and you have no right being here!" She screamed slightly and Theo clenched his fist muttering something about 'if only she were a guy' before he followed after us.

"That's one down" Mason said, removing the sheet from his pocket; they weren't really phased by what happened and I guessed that was just normal for them, to be kicked out of places. "That was nice, what she did" I finally said and Theo looked at me. "For us," he said, "for all of us."

Theo's words stuck to me like glue for the journey home which was remarkably shorter than the journey to. "See ya" I said wearily to Kyle and he waved at me, driving away only once I'd entered the house. Alone. It was Thursday evening and Jonah was out with his boys.

I changed into furry pyjamas and carried my baseball bat with me around the house before finally deciding to order pizza and watch a movie whilst finishing any last minute homework. Screw school.

*Friday morning*

Aware that I had fallen asleep on the couch, when I woke up in the comfort of my bed it wasn't at all alarming, it was a usual ritual Jonah had gotten used to; carrying me up to my bed. Weirdly enough, I made an effort that morning, an effort on myself. I straightened my hair and tied it up high and wore cute pink jeans with a white fluffy top, applying necessary make up of course.

I could already hear the usual chatter of Mason and Jonah from the kitchen and as I joined them, Jonah stopped speaking as expected. "You're going to school, not a fashion show" he stated and I rolled my eyes, grabbing a cereal bar and taking a bite whilst motioning my head to the door at Mason who stood up. "No, really!? Please give me a two hour lecture on the difference" I said but I had already shut the door on him.