Ravens

Being honest

   Chase dragged me out of the cafeteria to an empty class, after shutting the door he still didn't turn to me. I sighed
   " I know you need an explanation," I said.
   " Is that why you didn't want to see me, you should just tell me if you want to keep secrets," he said .
Chase turned around and gave me a look filled with worry.
" You're not obliged to tell me about you," he said.
" No. I think it's time to tell someone," I said, Chase nodded before grabbing my hand in his and dragging me to the teachers desk, he then proceeded to pick me up and drop me on it.
  He looked at me curiously, I avoided his gaze as I started telling him what I'd kept a secret for ages. Something tells me that with mum giving up on alcohol I would need his help.
   " My family is kinda dysfunctional, I mean sure we're rich but..." I said before sighing, here goes nothing.
   " My dad is a shameless cheat, my brother took to smoking early and mum tries to forget everything by drinking," I said.
  I looked up at Chase as he furrowed his eyebrows in worry.
   " They could hurt you, ever thought of talking to social services," he said
  " Mum would never let anyone hit me drunk or not, plus she has kinda stopped drinking," I scoffed.
  " Is there anything else you want to tell me?" He asked
  " Yeah, I kinda have gotten rid of all the cigarettes and alcohol I could find, so maybe I could-"
" Force them into withdrawal, did it work?" He asked.
" In a way, they're healthy but.... Tyson just hates me and I-"
  I felt the stress weigh down on my shoulders as I remembered the way Tyson talked to me, all his harsh words and insults, the way he looks at me with hate, the way he hurts mum. All I could think was that I want my brother back, I want mum happy.
  I felt strong arms wrap around me and I realized that Chase was hugging me. I hugged him back.
  " I'm here for you firecracker, I swear," he said.
  I nodded hoping for it to be true.