you// c.g.

12

Today had started like any other day at the Frankford house. Hell. The last two weeks here had been entirely hell. I had to sit through so much bullshit and fucking craziness from both of the women who inhabited this household while Mr. Frankford did absolutely nothing to help me. But today was different. I was not in a good mood.

"Ashlyn, I swear to god you say one more fucking word and I am going to punch you in the face." I sneered through gritted teeth. At school Ashlyn had been pushing me around, pushing one too many of my buttons to get a few laughs from her friends. I had tried so hard for so long to not say anything and to just keep my head down until Alexia could get me the fuck out of her house. But once she mentioned my family and was telling her friends about my "pathetic little ghetto" life with the information given from her batshit crazy mother, I flipped out.

"You do anything and I'll have your ass sent to some piece of shit house." She smirked as if she had won something. I was tired of her trying to hold that over my head so she wouldn't get the beating of a lifetime she knew she would've gotten on the first day I met her. I was so tired of her bickering and boring fake life and how rude and disrespectful she was to me. She treated me like I was less than human, because she had money and I didn't. "You'll just prove what everyone was thinking was right; you're just Southside trash."

It all happened so quickly. All around me were gasps as Ashlyn screeched, a hand covering her bloody nose. She lunged at me and we began tossing around the floor of the courtyard, punching each other over and over. I straddled her, hitting her until her friends dragged me off of her. She was right though; in the end I had proven everyone here right by fighting her, they all thought I was Southside trash. 

"Jane, if you ever lay another hand on my baby I swear.." Every word out of Mrs. Frankford's mouth became incoherent to me as I sat on the bed, staring blankly at her. I knew I didn't do anything wrong, I was brought up to fight or get beaten. To stick up for myself, and that was what I was doing. I didn't get it. "I'm calling your social worker!"

The door slammed shut and I her the lock click. What the fuck? I raced to the door, jiggling the knob, but it was locked. Immediately I grabbed my phone and called Alexia.

"Please pick up, please." I pleaded in a whisper as the phone rang and rang.

"Hey Jane, I was just about to-"

"Lex they said they're calling Marjorie." I blurted out and she went silent.

"Why?" I paused for a few seconds. I knew that I shouldn't have questioned my actions, I was defending myself against her, but I felt as though I may disappoint her because I wasn't home. This wasn't just some girl from our neighborhood. 

"I fought her. I don't want you to be mad, I was defending myself! I didn't even know it was happening-- but she called me Southside trash and brought up dad -"

"Jane, I am not mad at you." She sighed, "I just really hope this doesn't affect our situation right now."

"What do you mean?" I questioned with fear.

"I finally got us a court date to become your legal guardian. I was going to call to tell you."

"Oh fuck." Facepalming myself I fell onto the made up bed, anxiety filling my body with knots tying in my stomach.

After a few more seconds of silence and hopeful goodbyes I tried to fall asleep, anxiety keeping me up most of the night as I awaited the outcome of today's events for tomorrow. I just want to go home.

'daddy ;)'

hey shortcake i heard what happened, u ok?

you should see the other girl

thats my girl

I flushed red.

did lex say anything else? does she know if itll affect our court date?

she hasnt said anything to me, ill see if shes said anything to fiona

Read at 1:15 a.m.

dont stress about it baby, i promise everything will b ok

Butterflies exploded within me. Jane, no..

i miss u

i miss u more, go to sleep ill call u in the am

goodnight carl

sweet dreams babe

The next morning was Saturday and it was 11:35 a.m. I felt like shit, my head was pounding and I was sweating. Carl nor Alexia had texted me and my mind already began to charge with paranoia and worry after  five minutes of being awake.

I slowly tip-toed towards the door and to my surprise it was unlocked. I crept down the hallway to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, hair, and went to the bathroom before opening the door and being met by what looked like a restless Mrs. Frankford.

"We need to talk." Mrs. Frankford brought me downstairs where I was met with Ashlyn and Mr. Frankford. 

"Here, sit down." 

"So, me and Mr. Frankford," She seemed to force a smile over to her husband, "have talked about what happened yesterday. And we've decided not to inform your social worker or press any charges."

"What?" Ashlyn screamed in obvious anger. "You." She pointed in my direction, getting up and walking over to me, " You little bitch I swear-"

"Ashlyn, go to your room!" Mr. Frankford yelled, to not only my surprise, but to Mrs. Frankford and Ashlyn's as well. I could tell it was probably the first time she had been disciplined in awhile, being spoiled too much of the time to remember what it was like to get yelled at. Quickly, but unwillingly, she stormed up to her room where her door slammed shut causing an awkward silence to fill the space she left behind.

"Why aren't you telling Marjorie?" I questioned, still taken aback by their decision.

"If I'm being honest, I really want to but.." Mrs. Frankford began murmuring to herself before Mr. Frankford again took the lead of the conversation.

"I know our daughter can be quite difficult sometimes," He began.

"Sometimes." I rolled my eyes.

"But she doesn't mean any real harm. She's been pampered and spoiled since she was young and has way too much entitlement." I was surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth, and Mrs. Frankford's wide eyes and agape mouth told me she was too. "It was sooner or later she would've learned her lesson. As parents we've failed to teach her her wrongdoings and consequences of them. Honestly, I apologize for her offensiveness."

I was shocked that Mr. Frankford really had felt this way. Since I'd been here, even for the short time, he barely even spoke and now he was telling me about his wrongs as a parent. 

"But, I would like you to apologize to Ashlyn because it shouldn't have taken a violent turn." I nodded quickly in agreement, only because I didn't want to ruin Alexia and I's day in court. 

I gave Ashlyn a short apology, trying to stop myself from laughing at her bruised face in between. Alexia was relieved to know they hadn't called our social worker and informed me we were having our day in court on Monday. I was so fucking excited. I can not wait to finally go home.