You're Not Alone

Jen DeMattos' Full Statement of the Case

(Jen's POV)

I looked myself over in the mirror. I tried to dress professionally for my meeting with the woman from social services. Austin had to take me out to buy clothes for the interview specifically.

I wore tight blue jeans with a plain black shirt and a blazer to match. My hair was combed in a polished French braid. I looked nice, but I was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

I stepped out of the bathroom, struggling to keep my cool. Austin looked up from his phone, and gave me a half smile. I had a good feeling that he was just as nervous as I was.

"You look nice." He said with a nod.

I shrugged and gave a small smile. He was dressed in slacks and a button up shirt. But no matter how nice his clothes were, he couldn't cover up the tattoos snaking up his neck, or his nose ring.

He extended his hand to me and I took it, my hand so much smaller than his. But than again, I was smaller than him all around. He was a foot and four inches taller than me.

"Ready?" He asked, his voice low and rough.

I nodded, tears stinging in the corners of my eyes.

He pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and squeezed him tightly.

"I'm so scared." I sobbed into his chest. Thank God for waterproof mascara.

He rubbed my back gently. We just stood like that for a minute, neither one of us daring to move.

He pulled away from the hug and kneeled in front of me, resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Jen, I know this is hard for you. But you have to tell this woman everything that your mother put you through. If you do, we'll have a greater chance. You got this, kiddo."

I looked down at my shoes sheepishly. I so wasn't ready for this.

---------------------------------------------

I wiped at my eyes with the tissues that Mrs. Avelar, the social worker, had given me.

"I can't imagine what that must've been like, Jennifer." She said sympathetically, sorrow in her eyes.

I just nodded, still trying to collect myself.

"And for the past week, you've been staying with Mr. Carlile and his friends, correct?" She asked, looking down at a file.

"Yes ma'am." I said shakily.

She looked up, her eyes skeptical.

"And what's that been like for you?"

I ran through the thoughts in my head.

"Where do I begin?" I started, trying to find the words. "It's been the best thing that's ever happened to me. Austin is like the dad I never had. And the others are like older brothers. They've protected me, and loved on me, and treated me like their own blood. I can't think of a better place to be." I smiled. Just thinking about the guys brought a smile to my face.

Mrs. Avelar nodded, and wrote something down on a pad.

"You do understand that if you were to stay with them, most of your life would be spent in a tour bus? Or at the back of concerts?" She prodded.

I nodded at her, suddenly feeling the atmosphere change.

"And you're okay with this, Jennifer?" She said, pursing her lips and raising her eyebrows.

I nodded again, finally getting a handle on the tears.

"If that's what it takes, to be with people who truly love and care about me, then yes. Absolutely."