Can you keep a secret? (Justin Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty-Five. Bruises

I took Eliza and put her into her car seat in an attempt to get her to sleep. Chaz had left about an hour ago and Jessicah was doing the laundry so I volunteered to pick Noah up from school since it was 3:00pm. Noah finished school at 3:15 and it wasn't far from home so I didn't mind the traffic.

I pulled up just outside the gate and stopped the car. My eyes scanned the school yard for my little boy. Minutes passed and I still couldn't see him. I checked my phone for the time and it was 3:20pm so it has only been 5 minutes since he was let out of class so I took in a deep breath and relaxed into my seat.

Eliza stirred in her seat in the back of the car and I turned to see her fast asleep which was a good thing considering we couldn't get her to sleep before. I checked the time once more and I was beginning to get worried as it was now 3:30pm.

I got out the car and sat on the bonnet to get a closer look at the school yard which was getting emptier by the minute. Where was Noah? This is the latest he has ever been. Finally I heard someone yell.

"Daddy!" I looked up and saw Noah run towards me from the empty yard.

I bent down to his level and caught him in my arms. "Where were you buddy?"

He let go and wiped his eyes. "I was being a big boy."

I wasn't quite sure what he meant but I decided to play along. "You are a big boy. But even big boys can't be late after school."

He nodded. "Okay Daddy i'll try. But it's not up to me."

I tilted my head slightly. "Of course it is. Who else is it up to?"

He shrugged. "Tyson I think."

I shook my head. "No buddy it's up to you okay? You make your own decisions." My hand touched his face lightly and I was shocked to feel his cheeks wet. "Why is your face wet?"

He shrugged again. "I don't know."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay fine. Tell me later. Get in the car bud."

He nodded and pulled the door of the car open before slipping into the back seat. I followed him, well into the front seat, and started the engine. I pulled out onto the road and started driving home but didn't really have the motivation to face Jess so I decided on another place.

"Hey Noah. How do you feel about going to Grandmas house for a bit?" I asked Noah as I pulled up at a traffic light.

"I don't care." He replied in a sad tone. There was something strange going on here but I couldn't figure out what. I decided that mum might be able to get the secret out of him.

Mums car wasn't in the driveway which means she isn't home. I stopped the car on the curb outside her house and before i could say anything Noah swung the door open and jumped out in one big fluent motion.

He ran across the grass and up to the front door where he knocked loudly.

"There's no one home Noah!"I yelled from the open window of the car.

"Am I no one now Justin?" The familiar voice of my mum yelled back.

I rolled my eyes and got out the car getting Eliza who was still asleep and taking her into my arms. Well mum was home which was a relief. I walked into the living room and placed Elzia down on the couch to continue sleeping while Noah ran upstairs to get his toys.

"How come you're here Justin? Where's Jessicah?" She asked in a concerned voice while looking over my shoulder.

I shook my head. Jess isn't here, she's at home. I just decided to come around to see you once I picked Noah up from school. Is that too much?"

Mum smiled. "Not at all. Actually, I was just thinking about organising a time to see you and your family."

I smiled back at her. "Yeah. So do you have any food? I'm hungry." My stomach growled loudly making mum laugh.

"You sound hungry. I've got chips in the cupboard if you want. Ill get you and Noah a packet each." She turned towards the kitchen and walked off.

I followed her down the hallway and took a seat at the kitchen table. Mum went into the pantry and came out throwing two packets of chips at me. They were both chicken flavour but they'll have to do. I opened mine and put on in my mouth as Noah ran in the room with his old toy truck.

"Look what I found daddy!" He yelled enthusiastically, getting down onto his knees and rolling the truck along the floor.

Mum and I both laughed. "That's great kiddo." I praised him.

"Oh that uniform is getting a bit small there Noah." She bit her lip and turned to me. "That's why I bought the next size up the other day to give to you."

My mouth dropped. "Seriously? How did you know that we would come over?"

She laughed. "Well I was planning to see you guys soon remember?"

I nodded. "Yeah I remember. Why don't we get Noah to try it on and make sure it fits?"

"Good idea." She smiled and left the kitchen yelling out to Noah. "Noah follow me!"

Noah looked at me and I nodded before he ran after her into the lounge room. I walked in last and found mum taking out a shirt and pants from a bag. She layed them out on the couch and called Noah over to her. She slipped off his shirt and before I could say anything mums hands were running over his skin which was covered in bruises.

"Justin? What's this?" She asked as she examined the purpley-brown marks forming across his chest and stomach.

I made my way over to where she was kneeling and bent down to see the bruises myself.  "I don't know. Noah, how did this happen?"

Noah looked worried. "I'm not allowed to say." His eyes filled with tears.

Mum and I looked at each other with a worried expression. "Noah" We said at the same time.

"Did you do this Jus-" Mum started but I cut her off.

"No! I didn't touch Noah. Why would I?" My voice trailed off as I thought about this morning and the 'bully'.

"Do you think Jess could have?" Mum asked again with more concern.

I shook my head. "She wouldn't." My mind wondered over the conversations this morning and this afternoon with Noah. He had mentioned that some guys called 'Tyson' decided when he left. Was this what he meant?

Mum stood up. "I'm getting him some ice to put on this." She left the room.

"Noah did Tyson do this?" I asked him as I stood and picked him up, moving over to the couch and sitting down placing him on my lap.

He nodded slightly as a tear escaped his eye. 

"Was it just him?" I asked again hoping to get an explanation.

Noah shook his head. "A lot of them." He whispered.

Mum returned with a cold pack and handed it to me. I placed it against the bruises that seemed more recent. She sat down next to me and wiped Noah down with a wet cloth. "So why did they do this Noah?" Obviously she was listening in from the other room.

Noah shrugged once more. His eyes were full of tears which we tried to hold in. He wasn't in a speaking mood.

"Did they say anything to you?" I asked him in a soothing tone.

He nodded slightly. "That I am a stupid mistake and that i'm too small to be at school. They said they hate me because I think i'm so good and too loud. They said I'm not allowed to be myself. They got really mad at me after you left this morning..." His voice trailed off.

I looked over at mum who was shaking her head. "You're none of those things Noah. Act anyway you want as long as you aren't mean to people." She told him.

"Yeah Noah. Why didn't you tell me? Or a teacher?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "Tyson said I can't tell anyone."

I sighed. "Don't listen to him buddy. If he touches you again or even annoys you, go and tell a teacher or come tell me okay?"

He nodded. "Yes daddy."