Helping you •Janah•

•6•

"I'm so sorry Jo." My brother stands on our front porch with bags packed, ready to leave. 

I swallow hard, "It's ok Zeb. You have a family now. Go be with your wife."

It's silent as Zeb stares at me with saddness in his eyes. I try my best to look strong, but I can't help it; I'm scared. 

Zebulon notices the fear in my eyes. He sighs and  sets his bags down, "No, I can't leave you. You're not even 18 yet. It wouldn't be fair."

I watch as he goes back inside. I hear Esther squeal with happiness when she finds out Zeb is staying. I'm thrilled too but I can't help but feel guilty for making him stay.

• • •

"Jobug!" Daniel jumped on top of the register counter. Our shift is almost over and the store is empty. 

"Get off the counter you idiot." I playfully shove Daniel off. He makes a big show of falling to the ground before hopping back to his feet.

"I'm having some friends over today," Daniel smiles, "And you're invited."

I lock up the register and leave the keys on the counter for the next shift, "I can't Dani, I promised I'd take my siblings to the movies."

Daniel groans, "You're no fun. Come on! I'm sure they'll be ok for a couple hours without you."

I'm about to refuse again when Daniel's words sink in. I'm always taking care of everyone, shouldn't I deserve a break too? "Fine." I pull out my phone, "Let me tell Esther."

After calling my sister, Daniel and I left the store as the next shift workers were coming in. We got in Daniel's car and drove to his house.

When we arrived, Daniel led me to the kitchen. He got out some snacks, "My other friends will be here soon." 

I nodded, "Where are your parents?"

"On vacation for a couple days." Daniel grinned mischievously, "Which means I've got the house to myself."

We sat eating and chilling for a few minutes before the doorbell rang. I walking with Dani to the door and he greeted his friends.

"Jonah this is Corbyn," He pointed to a blond guy, "And Zach." He pointed to a smaller boy with dark brown hair.

"Hey." I waved.

Daniel led the three of us to the living room. The kid Zach groaned in annoyance, "I always forget we can't play Fortnite at your house."

"Yeah cause I don't want to rot my brains with video games." Daniel said.

"So Jonah," The blond, Corbyn, flopped on the couch, "What's your deal?"

"What?" I asked confused.

"Like what do you like?" Corbyn explained.

"Uhhh," I wracked his brain for something interesting, "I like coffee. And Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter?" Zach said, "Never seen it."

I gasped, "You uncultured swine!" 

Daniel and Corbyn laughed at Zach's confused face. "So guys," Daniel said excitedly, "I'm having a party tonight so you wanna get jiggy with it?"

"Get jiggy with it." Zach chuckled under his breath.

Corbyn smirked, "Haven't you learned anything from TV? This is so going to end up badly."

Daniel waved him away, "Whatever, are you guys in?"

"Yeah."

"Heck yeah!"

"Jonah?" Daniel asked. All three boys laid their eyes on me.  

I gulped, "I guess." I said, not wanting to be the odd man out.

I had been to a few parties before both my parents walked out of my life. They were fun, so I had hopes that maybe I would actually be able to relax and have a good time tonight for the first time in months.

• • •

Music blared from two speakers in the living room. People were everywhere laughing and talking and eating and drinking. I refused to have any alcohol. I still had to take care of my siblings in the morning so I couldn't be hungover. 

Some girl came up to me, obviously drunk, and started rubbing her hands on my chest.

"I'm Tate." She slurred, "And you're hoooottttt."

I forced a laugh, uncomfortable. She was a pretty girl. In fact, there were a lot of pretty girls at the party. I had no clue where Daniel found them all. 

"Dance with me!" Tate began moving along with the music. She waved her hands in the air, looking like she was having the time of her life. I wished I could have that carefree attitude sometimes, even if I knew her's was caused by alcohol.

I saw my opportunity to get out of there when another guy came up to Tate and began dancing with her. The air in the room suddenly seemed too thick and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

A gasp of fresh air hit me as I walked outside. It was late and the sky was pitch black. I felt terrible for leaving my family that long. I decided to walk home without telling Daniel or the rest of the guys I was leaving. They were too busy having fun anyway to care.

As I began my walk home through the city, I remembered seeing the curly haired boy running through here today. I wondered what he was doing. If he was stealing from the store, that wasn't good, but I couldn't help but feel bad for him.

I was approaching the corner to turn at when I saw a figure in the alley ahead of me. It wasn't moving. I slowly crept towards the thing, and realized it was a person! I got close enough to see the top of curly hair before a car alarm began to sound.

I jumped and the person stirred. Heart racing, I ran down my street and didn't stop till I got home.

___________________________________

Wow I STRUGGLED with this chapter. o man its bad :/

And i know we are never going to stop fighting about this but @RamenNoodlesAvery  you are an AMAZING person and an AMAZING writer and I LOvE having this account with you!!!

The taggy things aren't working for me idk why

Peace peeps (and aliens)

Author for chapter jackxrobertxavery

omg did the taggy thing work :0

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