DAMAGED

chapter19 ☪

tiny little author's note :
I hope you guys like the chapter bc I procrastinated on algebra homework to do it so yeah.. heehee c:

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Kassie's POV

I pulled the warm blanket so that I would be more covered. The TV was airing a marathon of ghost documentaries which I'd stuck to watching all day in the living room.
Jarett and Tuvi apparently thought I'd fallen asleep, because I overheard them talking in the kitchen.
"She finally realized she was out of her mind. She's too young and helpless to know the definition of love, let alone with that delinquent kid." Jarett told Tuvi. "I'm telling you, she was setting a bad example for you."
"But Daddy," Tuvi began, "There's nothing wrong with being in love."
Jarett sighed. "You're too little to understand these things, Tuvi."
"I am not!" She protested. "I hate being the little kid! Can't you just adopt another kid that's smaller than I am? I'm tired of being 'too little' for everything and being treated like a complete baby!"
"Tuvi, you're treated like a little kid because you are one, so stop whining. Besides, when we adopted Kassie, it confirmed that kids in foster homes are too much trouble." Jarett chuckled to himself.
Ouch.
"It's not fair. I'm nine years old. I'm responsible. Why do I have to be labeled as 'little kid?'" She asked, ignoring his rude remark.
"Maybe because you are. You aren't supposed to even know about people with such sad pasts like Kassie, and because of my action of adopting her as a friendly favor for her parents - may they rest in peace - your childhood is at stake." Jarett said.
"Stop bringing Kassie into this." Tuvi told him, making him scoff.
"I can bring in whoever I want into a conversation, and you can't do anything because you're a little girl." Jarett scolded.
"Am I something else besides the stupid, overly-dramatic little kid of the family?" She asked innocently.
"Of course. You're my real daughter." Jarett explained.
I gulped.
"I love you, Daddy." Tuvi giggled.
"I love you too, baby girl." He replied.
I felt my remaining strength vanish as I stood up, the cold air giving me goosebumps.
I walked over to the kitchen, and they immediately stopped hugging.
"Kassie, you're up already!" Tuvi squealed.
"Yeah... I realized that nightmares aren't as bad as the cold, hard truth." I glared at Jarett.
Tuvi looked at me, confused. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I lied, forcing a smile as I walked up to the fridge to make myself leftovers.
"I'm going to get leftovers from the fridge - Oh, wait. I forgot to ask, didn't I? I'm such a rude and unwanted guest. Oh, well. I'll be back at my - I mean, the room. I'm so rude that I think I belong here."
I grabbed the leftovers and put them in the microwave.
"Tuvi, you should really go turn off the TV in your room. We don't want to waste electricity, now, do we?" Jarett said, a hint of anger in his voice.
"It's turned off." Tuvi assured him.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I being that rude as to wasting your electricity so much to the point that your real daughter can't even watch TV?" I asked.
"Tuvi. Upstairs. Now." Jarett warned, and Tuvi followed instructions immediately.
"You heard the conversation." He guessed once she was out of sight.
"No. A little bird told me." I rolled my eyes.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked, disgust obvious in his tone.
"What's wrong with me? My parents died. I have depression. My boyfriend cheated. I live with people who think I'm a burden. What's wrong with me? I can only take so much." I whispered.
Jarett sighed. "Kassie, don't you ever get tired?"
"Of what?" I asked.
"Of being so damn dramatic and hard-to-handle."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Next time nobody loves me, I'll try to be happier about it."
"I'm sick of your attitude, Kassandra." He growled.
"Like I care. You're not my real dad."
"You know what? That's it. I might as well tell you. Since this tattooed jerk has come into your life, you've been so filled with attitude. Luckily, I know how to fix that."
I raised my eyebrow. "How?"
"By sending you to an all-girls school."
I opened my mouth in shock. "What? No way. You can't do that."
"Oh? Watch me. And if that doesn't work, then military school will discipline you just fine. Of course, you'd have to cut your long hair, but who cares? All is blank to you. It's not as if you'll notice." He said before walking away.
All is blank to me? That's hurtful...
"I still have feelings, you know." I whimpered, letting the tears race down. I looked at my wrists, the tears falling onto them.
And then I spotted the pocket knife.

Wolfie's POV

The next day, I woke up to my parents fighting. At least I know I don't need an alarm anymore.
I got ready pretty quickly, grabbing my black sweater from the hanger and putting it on messily.
Once I was downstairs, they turned to look at me.
"Why are you dressed?" My mom asked me.
I shrugged. "School."
"No. You should be packing your things."
I frowned. "What?"
"Due to your stupid, retarded choice to bring your 'friend' here, we have no choice. We're moving to Florida. That way, if she tells family services, she'll have no proof." My dad told me.
"No. No way. You can't make me move." I growled.
"Oh, really?" My mom laughed. "Watch me." She grabbed the rope from the counter.
Oh, joy. Kill me now.
"Leslie, let's not get rough now. We don't want to stain the clean floor with dirty blood." My dad held her back, carefully taking the rope from her. He turned to look at me. "Just because we're nice, we're giving you three more days here."
"What?" My mom hissed. "We didn't decide on this, Richard."
"It is now decided." He glared at her.
"Yeah, Leslie." I smirked.
"Do not talk back to your mother." My dad snarled.
"You're not the boss of me." I scoffed.
"He's angry because we're separating him from the girl that feels sorry for him. He loves pity." My mom barked.
"That's not true." I sighed as I saw her tight grasp on the rope.
She managed to hit me one time before my dad held her.
"Bye." I said quietly, leaving as fast as I could.
As soon as I was outside, I began to walk to school, trying to forget about the burning sensation on my stomach.

Kassie's POV

I sniffled as I put my books away in my locker. "I-I didn't bring the money today." I heard Phineas saying behind me with a terrified tone.
I turned around in shock. "Why didn't you?" Jerry growled, holding him by the neck against the wall.
"I forgot." Phineas choked.
"What are you doing?" I ran over to the scene, tapping Jerry.
"Shut up." He spat, going to punch Phineas and hitting my cheek with his elbow insanely hard instead.
The impact made me stumble back and trip with someone. "I'm sorry." I apologized to the girl, who turned out to be Alex.
"Oh my God. Kassie. Oh, my God. How did I-?" Jerry began, releasing Phineas immediately as Alex helped me up. I winced, touching my cheek.
"Dude...Were you bullying my little brother?" Alex asked Jerry, her fists clenching.
"N-No, it's okay." Phineas stuttered.
"Are you okay, Phin?" I asked him, still feeling my cheek.
"I'm f-fine." He nodded, straightening his glasses.
Phineas is a grade below me, and he's like my little brother. Jerry is in the same year as me, and he's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Now I couldn't help but hate him.
"Why?" I asked him.
"It's not what it looks like. His family owes me money, and-" Jerry stopped, seemingly spotting someone in the distance.
Out of nowhere, he grabbed my face and kissed me forcedly. I struggled to free myself but he kept on. Alex gasped and tried to get his hands off of me.
"S-Stop." I panted.
I felt afraid now.
"Let go of her." Phineas ordered.
Surprisingly, Jerry obeyed and turned to face him. "What did you say? Did you just think you could...give me orders?"
"I...I..." Phineas struggled.
"Leave him alone, you idiot!" Alex growled to Jerry. "First, you mouth-rape my friend, and now-"
"Kassie." I heard a voice say behind me.
"Wolfie!" I gasped, running over and hugging him tightly. I didn't even care he had cheated on me with Esperanza, or about the video. I just needed someone to protect me.
He didn't do anything - not even hug me back.
He gently got me off of him.
I looked at him in confusion.
Wolfie glared at Jerry before looking back at me.
"You fucking kissed him."