No way. The school's bad boy is just like me. Both of us have always been so different, yet so alike...
Grabbing a notepad, I started scribbling down a poem and ideas, seeing as I felt like I had to respond in poem just as deep and revealing as his. My day had gone by so fast and everything had happened so fast, that I was a mess of ideas and words. Writing a poem like this, I cried quite a few times. I was crying, when all the sudden I heard a knock at my door. Snapping up and silencing my whimpers from reliving all the pain I've experienced, I responded.
"I'm studying." I responded, in fear of my father.
"It's Catelynn. Dinner's ready. Dad's passed out on the porch and mom's still at work."
"Oh, I'll be out in a second then."
"Okay, should I wake dad up?"
"No! Let him sleep." I responded quickly.
"Okay, love you, Ev!"
"Love you too, Catelynn!" I responded. Writing a few more lines and tweaking them here and there, I finished my poem.
Bruises - A continuation by Everly Johnson
Alcoholic father,
Druggie and smoker mom,
Grew up unlucky,
Grew up afraid.
Protecting her sister, ever since the first moment she nearly got hit,
Crying and screaming as she was so weak at age 6
But now she's stronger,
Now she can handle the pain.
Almost caught by her younger half,
Almost got her only loving family harmed,
Lying to protect the one she loves,
Her heart breaks in two at the boy she had to frame,
Now knowing their secret is quite the same.
Kevin Jones.
Both equally broken,
Both equally scarred,
An unfair life for each,
But no more.
For they will run away together, along with the young and innocent sister that Everly so dearly loves
And they will thrive on their own,
Earning money,
And living,
Like a true family would live.
No abuse,
No hatred,
Just.
Safety.
I cried when I was writing those last few words on the page. "No hatred, no abuse, just, safety." That was all I'd ever wanted for Catelynn, knowing I couldn't have it for myself. Wiping away my tears, I put my poem away and went downstairs for dinner with Catelynn.
"Hey, Cate!"
"Hey, Ev! I made pork and green beans."
"Awesome! I knew you'd be a great cook! It looks delicious!"
"Thanks!"
I took a bite into the pork, saving my favorite part, the green beans, for last. My mouth instantly flooded with flavor. The pork had been cooked for just the right amount of time, and the salt to pepper ratio was perfect. My eyes widened and I couldn't help but dig in, and before I knew it I was getting seconds, but behind me I heard a little girl chuckle.
"Yes?" I laughed, knowing that she was laughing at how a scoffed down my food and instantly ran to get more.
"You're hilarious!"
"And you're the best cook in the darn world! I can't get enough of this!"
"Haha, thanks, Ev! I honestly think I'm gonna be a chef when I get older. I love cooking!"
That was the reason I left her in charge of dinner. I wanted her to get as much practice as she could, especially considering her life-long dream was to cook in a 5-star restaurant. After we both finished, I cleaned the dishes with her and we both headed upstairs to my room. Sitting there, I kept looking over in the direction of the poem I wrote. Was I sure I wanted to run away?
"Ev? What are you looking at?"
"Catelynn, come with me." I said, and I got up, heading to the back door. Both of us slipped out and I walked with her through the woods.
"Everly, where are we going? You tell me to never leave the house when dad's home, why are we doing this?"
"I need to show you something." I said, and before she could even respond, we were at the dock. I sat down and took off my converse and socks, laying them to the side as I dangled my feet into the water.
"Woah... is this where you and grandma went sometimes?"
"Yeah. I come here to clear my mind and ask questions. I know grandma will lead me in the right direction."
"Wow... it's beautiful." She smiled. I closed my eyes, thinking.
Should I run away? Grandma, please, I want what's best for Catelynn, Kevin, and I. Please, tell me what to do. I'm begging you, I can't go on like this anymore, but I can't let Catelynn stay here alone. What do I do...?
Sighing, I kept my eyes closed, waiting for an answer to come to me. After a few minutes, it did.
Go. Take Catelynn with you and invite Kevin. If he says no, tell him where you'll be in case anything happens. Keep in touch. You can't stay here, it's not safe for either of you.
Opening my eyes, I finally smiled at something genuinely, and Catelynn noticed.
"Everly, you're smiling! Your smile is so beautiful! Please promise me you'll smile more, seeing you really smile makes me happy!"
"Sure thing, Cate. Let's head home. I've got something to work on."
"Okay. Thank you for bringing me out here, it's really pretty. Do you think we can visit again?"
"Absolutely. Just promise me you'll never go alone, alright?"
"Okay, I promise."
We headed back home, and I grabbed my poem and folded it up. I was going to give it to Kevin tomorrow, I'd get us to meet up at Hudson Park again, and I'd tell him about my plan.
I was going to protect Catelynn, even if it was the last thing I ever managed to do.
YOU ARE READING
Every Rose Has Thorns
Teen FictionEverly has never lived like a normal girl. Her father is an abusive alcoholic, and her mom is a druggie and a smoker. Her younger sister, Catelynn had never been hurt by her father, because she always steps in and protects her. But what happens when...
