Everything from Nothing

Chapter 5

JANET'S POV

At the moment I'm sitting in class... It's maths so I'm naturally bored out of my mind! I put my hand in my pocket and feel the note that Theo gave to me. I know it's only his address, but something about it just makes me feel... safe. I hear a creaking door and look up. I see Theo standing in the doorway looking really confused. He looks around the classroom and suddenly his eyes land on me. He smiles and I can feel my cheeks turning bright red! Oh my gosh! I'm blushing! This is a new feeling.... a warm feeling.... a feeling that I want to keep. His hazel eyes sink deep inside of me. These moments that our eyes meet feel like hours. I don't want to move. Not ever. Just looking into his eyes I feel safe. Oh my gosh! I've been staring at him this whole time with cheeks as red as roses! I look away covering my cheeks with my long wavy hair. I can feel my lips curl up into a smile. I want to smile like this forever.... no matter how much of an idiot I look. I think Theo and I are going to be good friends. Never thought I would think that about anybody but he just seems like he's going to take care of me (as a friend obviously). 

"Can I help you?" Miss. Marland's voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

"Oh! Errr... yeah, actually. I'm new here.... I think I'm in your class. Sorry I'm late I got a bit... a bit err..."

"LOST?!" Somebody shouts out, I didn't see who it was but it made Theo's cheeks turn rosy pink. I giggle, a smile printed on my face! I love this feeling!
"Aha. That's okay. Sit at the back next to Janet."

Theo starts walking toward me and I feel butterflies violently attacking my stomach. I don't know why I feel like this. I hardly know him and anyway, I don't even know if he even wants to be friends or even if he likes me! Okay, I'm over-reacting. Miss continues talking about maths and I just stare into space.

"So......" Theo whispers as if there was an awkward silence.

"What?"
"How are you?"

"Theo, we're in class.... not now."

"Are we gonna talk or are you seriously going to pay attention in maths?" He makes a good point. I would rather stick scissors in my ears than continue listening to this.
"Fine! You win. What do you wanna talk about?"
"Truth or dare?"
I don't know about this game. I'm either going to have to tell him more about my past which I DON'T want to think about, or do something ridiculous! But I give in and say I will play.

"Yay!! Okay.... Truth or dare?"
"Dare!"
"Okay. Errrr....." He looks around and reaches in his bag. He then pulls out a piece of paper and writes on it. I can't see what he's writing so I lean over and try to read it. "Ah ah! No peeking!"

"Ugh! Fine." Laughing, he passes me the piece of paper with a piece of sticky tape on the top.

"Stick this to their back!" He's laughing his head off pointing to Tom who is sat in front of me. I read it and it says:

        I WANNA DO NAUGHTY THINGS TO MISS!! DON'T ASK WHY!!

I burst out laughing!!
"Excuse me. Is there a problem .... Sorry err... My minds drawn a blank, what's your name?"
"Emm.. Sorry miss. No, no problem and my names Janet." When the teachers attention is back to the rest of the class and I lean forward ready to stick this piece of paper on Tom's back.  I slowly press it onto the back of his blazer and stick it onto him.
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe you actually just did that!" He seems shocked.

"What can I say? I never back down from a dare!" I only say this to make it sound like I've had friends to give me dares before. I mean... I have.... but that was a very long time ago..... I don't really want to think about it.

Theo and I spend the whole lesson playing truth or dare - it's so much fun! We always choose dare so that makes it very interesting! Unfortunately the bell goes and this class is over. (WOW! Never thought I would say that about maths!)

-----------

I walk up to my front door with a smile on my face. I think about all the great times I had with Theo today. I put the key in the front door and suddenly remember all my problems that I had finally forgotten about earlier. I sigh and shut myself in my room under the stairs. I'm late home but hopefully my brother won't be too harsh on me today...

-----------

I'm in my room, laying on my bed reading the Howen. It's about these people who are enslaved by monsters and they can't escape. I can really relate to this book. My goal in life is to finally be able to write a book and have it published. Maybe one day I will get the chance.

Dust falls onto my head. Looks like my brother is finally in business....
My door slams open. I stand up.
"BITCH!" My face burns from the punch and my neck clicks from how hard it made my head turn. He grabs me by my collar and throws me across the room. I bash into the wall and fall onto the floor. I can feel blood steaming from my nose. His foot connects with my stomach an.... and.... I... ah.... it hurts.... hurts so bad. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? He pulls my T-shirt up so my back is bear.

I can hear him slowly undoing his belt. The sharp pain is UNBEARABLE! It hurts so bloody bad! Why me? He does it over and over again. I shut my eyes tight hoping it will stop the pain. My fists are clenched and I can feel the anger building up inside me.

After a while, I hear the door SLAM! It's finally over. Carefully, I touch my bloody back to see how bad it is. It's pretty bad...... and by that I mean the excruciating pain is unbearable and my back is smothered with blood. 

I can't take this any more. 

After clearing most of the blood on my back up with tissues, I put my coat on, turn my phone off and head out the door. I start walking, just anywhere. Anywhere but here. An idea strikes my mind and I start searching my pockets desperately. My clenches around the piece of paper and my steps quicken. I finally find where I was heading. It's dark so I can't see many details of the drive way, but there's flowers at the sides of empty space, and a crack at the side of the pale blue door. Nerves attack me from the inside and I finally gain the courage to lift my arm and place my finger on the cold doorbell. the sound of footsteps from behind the door alarms me. After a few seconds it slowly creaks open.
"Hi Theo."

Theo's POV

Janet stands before me. Why is she here? Oh gosh.... She moves slightly and the moon highlights her bloody nose and tear stained cheeks.
"Are.... Are you okay? I'm sorry, that's a stupid question, come in." I have no idea what I'm supposed to do in this situation. I mean, what would you do if someone you just met showed up at your doorstep looking beaten with tears down her face? It hardly happens every day.

She walks nervously into my house. I gesture her to come and sit down. She's looking around, taking in the sight of my rather small, cosy house. Her thick black coat is held closed by her hands and as she sits down she lets go and shows some of her T-shirt underneath. I perch next to her, worried that if anyone touches her she will just break, shatter into a million pieces.

Janet's tear-stained face has a worried expression painted onto it.
"What did he do?" I have a stern face on now because when I think of her brother hurting her, I just feel like punching something or hunting her brother down or something just as crazy!
"He..... He threw.... He threw me across the -" Suddenly, she bursts out in tears. I embrace her in a hug and she buries her face into my jacket.
I take in a deep breath and let out a huge sigh. I don't know what to say. What do I do in these situations?
"Why?"

Janet's POV

"WHAT? What do you mean why?!" I can't believe him! I get bashed and bruised and whipped with a freaking belt and all this jerk has to say about it is why? He goes to say something with a confused look on his face.
"I didn't me-"
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have come," I butt in before he can finish. I don't want to hear his excuses. I zip my jacket closed, get up and walk to the door. "Bye Theo," I say turning around, a sudden calm in my voice.
"Wait, I'm so sorry. Please don't go."
"Goodbye." I walk out and close the door behind me.

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

I've been on holiday so sorry for not updating but you'll be pleased to know I have had inspiration for the rest of the book :)

dftba x