The Bird That Couldn't Sing (GBFF)

Chapter 19 - Sang

"Maybe we should work on our schedules?" Kota suggests to the group, all of us unsure at what to do to pass the time. If it were up to me, I'd just sit here and stare at them, but I have a feeling that idea would make them a little uncomfortable. So I decide not to suggest it. But honestly, what else would a teenage girl want to do when surrounded by so many super attractive, super nice guys, and they're my friends. I mean, come on. I'm dying over here!

I shrug, uncaring at what exactly we do in this moment, as long as we get to do it together.

"Oy! Hell no! That is not how I'm going to spend my first day meeting trouble. I say we build a fort! Or we could play some video games. Or, better yet, we could play video games inside the fort. I mean, really! Am I a fucking genius, or what?" I giggle at Meanie's enthusiasm; I'm not opposed to the idea. I've always wanted to play video games and build a fort--you know, normal friend-type activities.

Sighing, Kota pinches the bridge of his nose and readjusts his glasses. "Sang?"

I'm too busy staring at the way his eyebrows scrunch in annoyance and his face twists into an adorable expression of agitation that I don't hear him calling my name. "Sang..."

My eyes snap to meet his, already looking at me. I blush under his gaze, realizing he was asking me for my opinion. I shrug and write, "Anything is fine with me, but... can we please do something fun? I want to enjoy my time with you guys as much as I can before I head back home, which will be very soon by the looks of it."

I hadn't even realized how dark it was staring to become outside. But looking out the window, I see the sun is starting to set, casting rays of all colors to light the sky, slowly beginning to disappear behind the horizon, as if scared and hiding from the dusk. The boys follow my attention and see the same thing as I and their shoulders all droop, the light in each of their eyes dulling just a tad.

"You're right, Peanut. But... do you really have to go? Can't you just stay?" I laugh at Nathan's question, completely disbelieving. He may not know the details in depth of my past, but he's fully aware that I do have a past. Yet he still asks me such a question, so I can only assume it's a joke.

Though when I look to see all the others' reactions, I realize they don't find this situation as funny as I do. My snickers quickly fade out as each of them stare back at me, like they're the ones who are disbelieving.

"Oh, you were serious," I scribe; "my bad."

"Princess, he wasn't kidding. We don't want you going over there right now. It isn't safe."

I scoff, the words on my paper being jot down in a haste. "Yeah, because it would help so much to return home to find my stepmother there waiting on me, ready to question and punish me for being out all night. She already thinks less of me." As a whore. "I don't need her having good reason to hurt me."

Gabriel looks ready to shout something but Luke beats him to it. "Cupcake, we won't let her hurt you again. Besides, if you were to stay, I could get you back home and it'd be like you were never gone in the first place."

"Yeah, trust him. Luke is really good when it comes to that kind of stuff," Victor adds. Clearly they aren't going to budge on this. And would it really be so bad, anyway? I doubt Katherine would even notice that I'd been gone all day or all night. If I'm correct, one of her "at-home specialists" came to visit her today for one of her weekly checkups to, y'know, give her a checkup and some more medication. She always tends to sleep the whole day and night away after one of these occasional visits.

It's always been my favorite day of the week: Wednesday. That is, unless Marie was home to pester and assault me; she'd know of my absence and no-doubt tattle on me. But I also know that ever since we moved, she's rarely at home and spends most of her time with her new friend, who goes by the name Danielle, if I'm not mistaken. So maybe... it'll be alright to stay. But I'd definitely have to be back at my house bright and early to clean and make breakfast for the "family."