I knew I couldn't go home last night. So after riding around for hours, I fell asleep on the beach.
Then the next morning, I woke up at 9:00. I had to get home before my dad woke up. I got on my bike and rode faster than I ever have. I finally jumped off my bike wearing the same clothes as before. I snuck in the house and luckily my dad was asleep. I jumped in the shower/ changed.
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I put my shoes on and was almost out the door when he blocked my path. "Where the hell were you?" he yelled. I took note of him slurring his words, (still drunk) "I had work yesterday, then I was with friends," I said quietly. "Where is the money?" he yelled. Oh shit. The money. I was in such a hurry I forgot. I usually only give him half of what I get since he just spends it gambling or drinking. Now I can only give him half of that. So instead of 250 it's 125. "Now!" he yelled. I reached in my pocket pulling out the wad of cash and handing it to him. As he counted it, I braced myself. JJ wasn't here and he wasn't coming. I was completely alone.
He grabbed my neck. "Where is the rest of it?" he asked. "I lost it. On my way home. I'm sorry I can-" before I could finish his fist connected with the side of my face. The force knocked me into the wall and I fell to the floor. "Stupid Bitch" he screamed. He kicked me in the stomach and I coughed holding my ribs. "Get me my money" he yelled. I curled up in a ball like I always do to minimize the damage and wait for his rage to pass. I cried as the pain took over my body until suddenly it stopped.
REED'S POV
I still wanted to apologize to Beth and return her MP3 player so I decided to go to her house early this morning. (Apologizing while she cleaned Topper's house didn't seem like the best way to go about it) I woke up and drove there to see if I could give her a ride. I spent the whole drive trying to figure out why I wanted to to apologize, why I felt so guilty. She was just a pogue. Just a girl. Right? Maybe Not. The second I arrived my heart stopped when I heard the screams. I could see her father beating her through the window. Without even thinking, I opened the door and ran in. "Wait wait wait" I yelled. I slowly stepped in front of her trying to put some space between her and her father. "What are you doing? What happened?" I asked calmly. The man looked more confused than angry by the random kid in his house. "The bitch didn't give me all my money" he spat. I looked down at her limp body on the floor. "How much are you missing?" I asked. "125" he grumbled. I pulled out my wallet and handed him all the cash. I didn't care how much it was. I just needed to get Beth out of there. "Here that should cover it, now I'm going to take her and we are going to go ok sir?" I asked, kneeling down next to Beth. "Whatever" her father mumbled, walking into another room. I moved her hair from her face. "What are you doing?" she stammered. "Shhh, don't try to talk. You'll be ok" I said softly. I scooped her up in my arms and her head fell against my chest. I walked out to my car laying her down in the front seat and buckling her in. "I'm going to get you to a hospital," I said. Her head snapped up. "No! You can't. DCS. They'll take me away from JJ. You can't" her words faded apart as she slipped in and out of consciousness. Even though I wasn't 100% sure what she was saying, I got the no hospital part. I tried to think of what to do, who to call but most pogues don't have phones. Then it hit me. Kiara.
JJ'S POV
I was at The Chateau with John B, Pope, and Kiara when Kiara's phone rang. The look on her face scared me. The second she hung up and explained my heart stopped. "Kie, who was that?" John B asked. "Reed." she said quietly, trying to process it. "Reed... the kook. What did he want" I asked laughing. She looked at me dead serious. He found your dad beating on Beth and she said no hospitals so he is bringing her here." she said looking at me empty. I froze. "What the hell?" Pope asked. Then we heard a car pull in and we ran out front. I saw Reed holding my unconscious, bleeding sister in his arms. I ran over and took her in my arms. John B cleared the table and I laid her down. We cleaned her wounds and wrapped them up. I iced her bruises and waited for her to wake up. Reed sat in a chair and wouldn't leave the room the whole time. I racked my brain trying to figure out why he was with her, at my house. I couldn't figure it out.
"So... Reed" I started. "JJ," Kie said, giving me the look. "No it's cool. I'm just curious. Why were you at my house?" I asked standing over him. He stood up facing me. "I have a question too. Why was your dad beating the crap out of your little sister?" he snapped back. John B stepped behind me. "Answer the question. What did you-" I started but I was cut off.
BETH'S POV
I woke up to JJ arguing. Shocker. "Answer the question. What did you-" he started but I cut him off. "Stop it JJ" I croaked.They all turned around to see me. I sat up wiping the blood off my face with a wet rag. I stood up and gave everyone a hug. "Hey big bro" she said, holding me. "Are you ok?" Kie asked as she held me. I nodded. "As for Reed, he came to return my MP3 player. That's why he was there" I said giving him a nod. "Now cool it with the testosterone so I can get to work. I'm already late." I said. "Are you sure you are good?" JJ asked. I nodded and walked outside. Reed followed me. "Hey, do you need a ride to work?" he asked, walking next to me. Something made me trust him. "Sure, but you have to drop me off up the street so it looks like I walked" I said. He nodded and I got in his car and we drove off.
Something about Reed made me very curious. He seemed very different. He was a kook but he wasn't the same as Rafe or Topper. He was younger, only 15 and he seemed to care about more than superficial things. Like actual life. I wanted to know why.
I kept looking at him and fiddling trying to figure him out. He kept glancing at me until he rolled his eyes and pulled over. "What?" he groaned staring at me. "You are different than them" I said. "What?" he asked. "Then the kooks, your friends, you know? You have kindness." I said. His eyes flashed with understanding and he tried to look mad but I saw right through him. "Listen pogue, you don't know what you are talking about so just shut up" he snapped. "I have a question if you don't mind," I said quietly. He looked at me with those piercing eyes. "Go ahead," he said, rolling his eyes. I felt my body tense up as I tried to phrase my question. "Yesterday, why did you help me when Rafe and Topper were making me, you know? And today why did you come to my house?" I asked looking at him. I saw the guilt flash in his eyes. "I'm sorry ok? I don't know. I'm so sorry. I should have never let them do that to you." he said softly. "I do," I said and I looked at him. He leaned in and I felt our lips collide. I felt the butterflies in my stomach as the passion grew. I ran my hands down his neck and placed his hand on my back. We pulled away and looked at eachother. After a moment of silence we laughed. "I knew you were different too" he whispered leaning back in as we kissed again.
