Nathan
Nate arrived at Hayley’s house shortly after he had phoned her. Mrs Bennett said that she had already hurried on out of the house. She offered for him to come inside but he politely refused and waited outside for Hayley. Nate leaned against the front door and hit his head back into it, feeling completely overwhelmed. He wondered why Lewis hadn’t just told him that his mother was sick. Nate wished that he could have been with him through the hardship. Nate sighed, giving in to his guilty feelings. Someone ran straight into his arms, it was Hayley. Nate breathed in, she smelt sweet. Nate couldn’t help but smile like an idiot whenever he saw her. A huge grin was glued to his face. She nuzzled her face down to his chest and she squeezed him tightly. Nate stroked her hair tenderly and held her in his arms.
“Did you find him?” Nate whispered into her hair. Hayley nodded her head against his chest.
“And? Is he alright?” Nate pressed. He needed to know if Lewis was alright.
“I don’t think so, Karla made me leave.” Nate was gobsmacked. He grabbed Hayley’s shoulders and moved her backwards and frowned.
“Wait, she did what?” Hayley shrugged her shoulders.
“She made me leave; I didn’t want to fight with her in front of Lewis, so I left.” Nate shook his head in disgust and pulled Hayley back into a tight hug.
“She is honestly such a, a...” He stammered, trying to find the right word to describe Karla.
“Bitch?” Hayley said loudly. Nate almost laughed out loud. He bit his lip and tucked a curl of Hayley’s hair behind her ear.
“I was going to say vile human being, but that works too.” He heard Hayley laugh softly. “But seriously, she made you leave? Did you even get to give him a hug?”
“Yeah I did, he needs support, more now than ever Nate.” Hayley’s voice croaked. Nate could tell she was upset.
“Got any idea who he’s staying with for the meantime?” Nate asked curiously, he thought of where his best friend would stay; he couldn’t possibly stay in his house alone... Hayley frowned and shook her head. Nate came to the conclusion:
“He’s coming to stay with me; there is no ways I am letting him stay in that house alone.” Nate was suddenly overtaken with a rush of rage. “And if Karla even tries anything with you or me again she better count her lucky stars if I don’t whack her.” Hayley gasped dramatically and smacked his shoulder playfully, for her small size, Hayley hit pretty hard.
“Gender violence, Nate, you won’t raise a hand to her, you will never see the light of day again.”
Nate smiled down at Hayley. He would never hurt a girl; his father did enough beating on his mother before she left. Nate shuddered at the awful memory of his mother crying in the corner whilst his father towered over her, drink in hand slurring the words,
“Stupid Slut,” over and over again and then pouring the entire can of beer over her head. He laughed dryly and then turned to Nate, standing in the doorway of the bathroom. His red and puffy face was repulsive.
“You try and fix err up and you will see what ell ‘appen.” His father said, pointing a shaking finger in his face. His stale breath hit his face as his father smacked his cheek in passing.
Nate could remember feeling so helpless, his mother sitting in a soaking heap on the floor in front of his eyes but he was too afraid to set a foot out of the door. Nate shook his head, getting rid of the dreadful memory.
“Wouldn’t even give it a second thought, but seriously, if she tries to pull something like that again, she will be sorry.” He couldn’t believe Karla would tell her to leave, not like it was unlike Karla.
