"nobody said it was easy,
no one ever said it would be this hard"
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the scientist // bhxjh has mature elements such as abuse, fights, a lot of foul language, and sexual themes, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
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"You need to fix the makeup Beverly used to cover the bruises and cuts," Billy rubbed his temple and sighed.
"Why?"
"It's gone from you crying."
"Wasn't crying."
"Just fix it before we go in the house."
"Whatever." She leaned forward and looked into the rear view mirror to cover the aftermath of the fight with Gretta. Billy was noticeably stressed with his head resting in his hand and looking out the window. Jade's scratches had faded but the deeper ones were still scabs. Billy began chewing on his thumb nail and handed her a hoodie he'd gotten from Beverly.
"You need to cover up," he muttered. Jade looked at him and Max but neither of them met her glance.
"Seriously?"
"You have scratches and bruises showing. Billy's right," Max murmured. "Do you have any pants you can wear instead of the shorts?" Jade looked between Max and Billy yet again.
"I packed jeans for tomorrow.... is all of this necessary?"
"Yes," they responded at the same time.
"Why?"
"Please, just put them on over your shorts or something."
"Okay...." she trailed off and took off her shorts, pulling on her jeans.
"Make sure you grab the textbook."
"Yeah, okay." Jade put her bag on one of her shoulders and they all exited the car. She scrunched her brows together when Billy opened and held the door open for her and Max. He was noticeably uncomfortable and a part of Jade longed to comfort him, but the sensible, hurt side of herself told her not to.
Billy closed the door and stood behind Jade in a protective manner that wouldn't be obvious by his father sitting before them.
"You must be Max's tutor."
"Yessir, I'm Jade," she began walking over to where he was lying in the La-Z-Boy and shook his hand. Billy had wanted to grab her wrist and stop her, but, instead, had to settle with gritting his teeth and clenching his fist.
"I'm Neil Hargrove," he responded, getting out of his chair to shake her hand.
