End Of The Line

Let it out

Hearing the bed ring signaling the end of the school day I sighed happily and closed my book as my classmates ran out of the room I threw my bag over my shoulder and calmly walked out of the room humming to myself.

Suddenly I felt someone pick me up and throw me over their shoulder making me scream "Bobby!" Bobby laughed and kept walking as the other students watched us with interest "Put me down, idiot."

I squeaked feeling another pair of hands pull me from Bobby's shoulder, but this time I smiled when I noticed I was in Johnny's arms "Hey" I greeted as he places me back down on the ground so I was stood between his legs as he sat sideways on his bike.

"Hey" He mumbled back as he brushed his lips against mine "HI" Dutch called as he gave me a slobbery kiss on my cheek "Eww, what the hell" I laughed as I rubbed my cheek free from Dutch's kiss as he and the others laughed loudly.

"You're gross" I pouted leaning back into Johnny who wrapped his arms around my waist as they started talking about their bikes. I sat with them contently even though I had no idea what they were talking about, just being there with them was good enough for me.

Glancing around I noticed Daniel with Ali and Susan walking out of school all laughing until Daniel's eyes met mine and widened, I frowned when Ali looked over to us and back to Daniel who was now trying to walk in the other direction.

Something was up with Daniel, and it looked like he and Ali were arguing over something. Daniel's eyes drifted over to us again before looking at Ali sharply "Get off my case!" he shouted at her before running off back into school.

Ali turned back around looking disappointed until she noticing my watching eyes, and she glared at me as Susan gave me a small wave looking equally confused "Whatcha lookin at?" Bobby asked as he looked over in the direction I was.

"Little miss perfect" I muttered as the guys notice Ali's staring "Where are you going?" Dutch questioned as I stood up defensively knowing something was about to go down.

Glaring in Ali's direction, I was stopped by a hand on my arm "Don't go over there" Johnny looks at pleadingly as the other guys begin to shift tensely.

"Why not? She obviously has a problem with me?" I acknowledge as he runs a hand through his hair when Ali stomps over to us "Are you happy now?" she snaps looking in Johnny's direction "Trouble in paradise?" I taunted as her eyes met mine and a red hue came over her face.

"Why don't you ask your best friends" Ali sneers giving me a scathing look "What nothing to say this time?" she hisses at the guys before walking back to Susan who just shrugged at me puzzled.

I turned to Johnny who just smiled innocently at me "What was she talking about?" I question them all, but they just shrug at me none of them really answering my question.

"Guys?" I pushed hoping nothing was going on "Maybe he's just still upset from the beach?" Jimmy answered casually as I nodded unsure "Yeah, maybe?".

Johnny wound his arms around me again with a cheeky smile "Not maybe, he's just being sensitive" he told me, and I laughed knowing how irritable Daniel could get.

"Plus look how he's treated you," Bobby spoke softly, and I smiled at him "Yeah!" Tommy shouted agreeing with him "He's an asshole!" the guys chuckled and nodded along with Tommy "Forget about him, you have us" Johnny reminded me as he started his bike.

Taking his outstretched hand, I climbed on the back of the bike "See when you're not drunk, you can be trusted to get on the back of the bike" Bobby teased with a wide smile "You're hilarious Brown" I glared using his last name as the guys looked at us confused.

"Where are we going?" Dutch asked as he started his bike too "I should go home" I mumbled biting my lip knowing none of them were going to like that idea "WHAT!" they all shouted in unison making me flinch "I can't stay with you guys forever."

"Why the fuck not?" Tommy shouted looking offended as I sighed looking to Johnny but all I could see was the muscles in his jaw tightening "You know I would stay, but I need to sort this out. Daniel's been the golden child for long enough" I told them, and they all nodded knowingly.

Following Johnny's lead, the guys all started their bikes and rode behind us as I held on to Johnny's waist tight and laid my head on his back watching all the houses fly by.

I was ready to tell my mother and brother exactly how I felt, being with Johnny and actually have great friends made me realize I was sick of getting into trouble because of Daniel.

I noticed we were getting into the poorer part of town, and I suddenly remembered only Johnny knew where I lived and my stomach dropped hoping they wouldn't judge me just like Johnny didn't judge me when he saw the run down dingy apartment building.

Feeling Johnny's bike halt I looked up and felt him rubbing my hands that were still tight against his waist as we wait for the others to catch up "If you don't want to be here come back to me" Johnny ordered as I got off the bike and let him pull me into his arms.

"I mean it, baby, I don't want you getting hurt again" Johnny mumbled as he pressed a kiss to my temple when the guys round the corner whooping and laughing out loud "Then maybe you could teach me some moves" I grin knowing the double meaning I had just given him.

Johnny looked at me surprised before giving me a smirk until he tightened his grip on me looking thoughtful as the guys stop by us not looking the least bit offended about my accommodation "That's not a bad idea."

"What do you think about teaching Kat some moves. The guys all nodded immediately "YEAH!" Tommy burst out excitedly as I laughed "Alright I gotta go" I informed them kissing Johnny and walking away.

"Don't forget we're setting up for the Halloween dance tomorrow!" Bobby called from behind me, and I just waved over my shoulder with a laugh, he worries like a mother hen.

Talking about mother hen's my stomach tightens when I walk up the steps to our apartment and spot my Ma sat at the front door like she was waiting for something.

"Ma?" I call quietly as her head jumps up and he eyes begin to water "Katherine" she whispers out before pulling me into a tight hug "I'm so sorry Sweetheart."

I tap her on the back comfortingly as I felt her tears hit my shoulder "I shouldn't have said those things to you" Ma cried as she held me closer and I noticed Daniel watching us from his spot on the couch through the open door.

Pushing Ma back gently I crossed my arms and walked into the apartment with her following me "Don't you have something to say to your sister?" Ma scolded Daniel who rolled his eyes "I'm sorry" he mumbled looking the least sorry I'd ever seen him.

I laughed spitefully "No your not" Daniel looked at me silently he knew I was right "I'm sick of this Ma, I'm sick of coming second because of him" I sobbed to my Mom who looked like I'd taken her breath away.

"You were never second to me, watching you leave last night broke my heart" Ma cried out as I felt my stomach drop "You broke mine first" I admitted as she looked at me wide-eyed.

"You've been breaking mine for years. Daniel has been pushing me and pushing me for a long time but when I finally snap you only see the worst. I can't be the bad guy forever Ma!" I screamed as I paced around our living room.

Ma grabbed my arms and stopped me as the two of us stood tearfully "I know, I know, and it stops today. I'm sorry I didn't stop this sooner, but I didn't know how" she revealed, and I hiccuped as we fell to the floor together.

"Daniel go to your room for a minute," Ma said over my head as she cradled me. Daniel scoffed but did as she said; Ma took my face in her hands and whispered to me desperately "Talk to me sweetheart, Let it out," and so I did.