Why Me?

Chapter 1 ~ Meeting for the first time

Rileys POV:
I cry as she throws another punch at me.
'Get up and fight you wimp!' she yells.
I stay curled up in a ball as she continues to beat me up.
Ever since I moved here my life has been hell. Im beaten up everyday and I cant do anything about. With both parents dead and my older sister skipping school to work for money for us, its kinnda hard to cope.
'Jess leave her be! Youve done enough!' one of the girls next to her says.
'Whos side are you on! Mine or hers!'
'Yours'
'Then keep your mouth shut!'
She throws anothet blow as I yell out in pain.
'AHHHHH!'
Her and her 'friends' laugh.
'What do you think your doing!' I hear a masculine voice shout.
They run away leaving me beaten on the hard cold school tard.
Im usually the last one at school so I can get in extra study. Thats usualy when Im beaten up by them.
Im helped up by a strong masculine figure.
I shake with fear.
'Its okay. Their gone'
'Theyll be back tomorrow'
'Well Ill protect you'
I look up at a tall boy sweetly smiling down at me.
'Im James. James Torjman'
'Riley Raymomd.
'What are you doing here by yourself' he asks.
'I was about to ask you that myself'
'Well I asked you first'
I smile.
'I stay back every evening to get in extra study'
He nods.
'Im new in this town. Im moving to this school so the head teacher gave me permission to look around before tomorrow' he says
I nod.
My legs suddenly cant support my body anymore and I fall. James catches me.
'Come on. Ill take you back to mine so you can clean yourself up'
'Ill be fine. I need to get home anyway. My sister will be home from work soon and I need to help her with her studies'
He looks at me.
'Why do you need to help her?'
'Shes skipping school to get money to pay the appartment rent and for food and stuff. We kinnda made a deal that she would work for our living provided I would be home on time to give her some lessons'
'But isnt that alot of work?'
'No. I give her a one hour class and then we eat and are both in bed for nine to be up at six the next day. Its fair. I mean its not the easiest life but it works'
'But where are your parents'
I put my head down.
'They died a few months ago'
'Oh. Im sorry'
'Its fine'
'Is that why they beat you up?'
I nod.
'Everday'
'Does your sister know'
'Yeah. Shes talked to the school about it. Theyve tried to stop it but it hasnt worked. But I guess its all part of my life'
'Well come back to my place. It wil make you feel better. My mom is making soup today. Youll love it. It tastes great'
'I cant do that'
'Yeah you can'
I look at him.
'Come on!'
I smile.
'Okay'
I take a step but my legs give up.
'Here. Ill carry you'
He picks me up and takes me over to his car.
Soon later we arrive outside his house. He carries me inside.
'Kevin! Come and help me!'
An older boy approaches us.
'Bro! What happened!'
'Help me carry her upstairs to Pipers room'
They take me upstairs and carry me into a bedroom where a young girl is on her bed.
'Pipes move'
She looks up.
'Whos that?'
'Ill tell you after. Just leave her lye there'
She gets up as Im put on the bed.
'Pipes go and get mom'
She leaves to get her.
As I lye on the bed I feel at ease.
A lady walks into the room. She gasps when she sees me.
'Oh deer! You poor thing! What happened to you!' she says rushing over next to me.
'Im okay. Really'
'Riley your not. And if anyone can make you better my mom can' James says with his hands in his pockets.
'Now. Lets see. Your really badly beaten. Did you get in a fight?'
I put my head down.
'Um...she doesnt really want to talk about it' James says.
'Oh. Well thats okay. Im sure I have something in the first aid box that will make you feel better. Oh and youll have to have some of the soup I made. Its the best way to make you feel better'
I catch James smirking.
'You wait here deer. Ill be right back' she says leaving the room.
I look at the two other people I havent met yet.
'Hi. Im Kevin. James older brother' he smile.
'Im Piper. Im their sister. It sucks been the only girl. Well there is mom, but I never really count her'
I smile.
'Im Riley'
They smile.
'Im hungry' Piper says.
'Soup is nearly ready' Kevin tells her.
She sighs.
'I hate waiting'
I laugh.
'I have a few things to do. Call me if you need anything' Kevin says walking out of the room.
'Wait for me!' Piper says following him.
I look at James who is smiling at me.
'Kevin and Piper seem nice'
'Their not bad. They can get annoying though. I mean Kevin is older than me so he can pretty much boss me around'
'I know the feeling!'
He laughs.
'And Im older than Piper so shes always asking me questions about things and never leaves me alone!'
I laugh.
'I guess your kinnda like her role model or something'
'Yeah. I guess'
We stay in silence.
'Um...I hope you dont mind me asking but what were you parents like?'
'They were amazing. They were always there for me and my sister and always helped us with everything. They were perfect'
He smiles.
I look at him. I know he wants to know more.
'I know you want to know how they died'
'You dont have to tell me'
'I want to'
He nods.
'My mom was knocked down and my dad was killed in a moter cylcle accident'
'Oh'
'My mom crossed the road but some stupid driver broke the lights and knocked her down. She died straight away. And my dad was riding his motor cycle when some idiot wasnt watching and pulled out infront of him at a crossroad. He aslo died straight away'
'Im sorry'
'I guess it just makes you realise how important family are'
He nods.
His mom comes in.
'Now. I have some cream and bandeges. Kevin is bringing up the hot soup now' she smiles.
'Thank you miss Torjman'
'Call me Deboradh. Miss Torjman gets on my nerves. I dont know why'
I laugh.
I hear the door opening and someone walking in.
'James. Your father is here. Tell him to come up and meet am...'
She looks at me.
'Riley'
'Riley. Tell him to come up and meet Riley'
He nods and leaves.
'Now. This might hurt a little bit but youll feel better'
She dabs cream onto the bruises which definatly hurts. I wince. She places some bandeges on some cuts.
'There. That should be a bit better now'
I smile.
James walks back in with his dad.
'Ah. Tom. Meet Riley'
'Hi Riley' he smiles sweetly'
'Hi'
'James found her injured and brought her here'
'Thats my boy! Looking out for the ladies!'
He puts his head down embarrased.
I smile.
Kevin comes in.
'Hey dad'
'Hey son'
'Heres your soup Riley. Carefull. Its hot'
I try to sit up but fail.
Tom comes over and gently helps me up.
'Thank you'
'Your welcome'
Im handed the bowl of soup.
James looks at it. I look up at him.
'Want a bit?'
'Your the best'
He takes some on the spoon and puts it in his mouth.
'James its hot!'
He swallows it.
'OH MY GOD! ITS BOILING!'
He runs out of the room and goes downstairs to get a drink.
He comes back up.
'I told you!'
'Yeah. But I never listen to anyone. Especially around food!'
I laugh.
'Come on guyes. Everyone out. Leave her eat in peace'
They all leave the room leaving me alone.
As I wait for the soup to cool I look around the room. Its filled with trophies and meadels and posters. And its all dance stuff. Piper must be a great dancer.
I finish my soup and put it on the locker next to me.
I lye down and close my eyes.
This family is really nice.
James POV:
Riley is such a lovely person. I feel bad for her with her parents and stuff. It must not be easy. I go upstairs and open the bedroom door. I see her asleep. I smile. She stirs and sits up.
'Oh hey James'
'Hey. How was the soup?'
'Quiet delicious actually. I feel much better'
'See. I told you you would'
She smiles.
I sit next to her on the bed.
'Thanks for helping me today'
'Dont even worry about it'
She smiles.
'How does your body feel?'
'A bit stiff and sore, but much better than what it was'
I nod.
She looks at her watch.
'I really need to go. My sister will be home soon'
I nod.
'Would you mind if I took a shower here?'
'No problem'
I help her up and lead her to the bathroom.
After a while she comes out wrapped in a fluffy white towl.
'Here. Put this on' I say handing her one of my hoodies.
'But this is yours'
'I know. You can wear it and give it back tomorrow'
'Thanks'
I smile.
When shes ready she looks at me. 'I gotta go or Ill be really late'
'Ill drop you home'
'I can walk'
'Your not fit to walk Riley'
She sighs.
'Come on. Ill carry you downstairs'
'Im fine'
'Dont try to refuse cause its not going to work'
'Okay'
She picks up her phone and bag. I carry her downstairs.
'Im taking Riley home!' I shout.
'Okay! Bye Riley!' my mom shouts back.
'Bye!'
We leave.
She directs me to her appartment.
I help her inside and up to her appartment floor. We stand outside the door.
'Thanks again for everything'
'Naa. Its nothing really'
She smiles.
'Am...heres my number' she says handing me a peice of paper.
I smile.
'Give me your hand'
She puts it out. I take out a pen and write my number on it.
'There. Thats mine'
She smiles and hugs me.
'Ill see you tomorrow at school'
I nod.
'Bye Riley'
'Bye'
'Oh Riley?'
She looks at me.
'Whatever thoes girls say to you, dont listen to them. What happened to your parents is terrible, and you shouldnt be juged by it. You should be supported. Dont let them knock you down. Im sure from what Ive seen of you today, that your a lovely kind person and you dont deserve this. Stick up to them. And just so you know, Im here for you'
She smiles sweetly.
'Thanks James. It means alot'
'And if you or your sister need help or need anything, we'd be happy to help'
She nods.
'Thanks'
'Ill see you tomorrow'
'Bye'
'Bye'
She goes inside the appartment.
I smile to myself.
I cant wait to see her tomorrow.