Justin&Josh's story

Page 2

Josh's POV: I wake up to Mr Ward shaking my shoulders. I rub my eyes and sit up. "Where is everyone?"
"You fell asleep. They've gone to break" I grab my bag and go to get up.
"Hold on. I need a word with you. Firstly the school rules..." he goes over the school rules which takes him about 10 mins to go over.
"Can I go now?"
"No. Secondly, if you turn up late to my class you will get a detention after school."
"Okayyy fine can I go now?"
"One more thing... where did you get that bruise from?"
I gulp and sit back
"I Uhm. Fell over"
"What really happened?"
"Nothing just drop it okay" I stand up and head toward the door.
"Josh.. hang on." Mr Ward stands infront of me in the way of the door.
"I care okay. I want to know you're safe so until you tell me the truth we will sit here all day. I want the truth or I'll report this to the head master."
I roll my eyes and cross my arms.
"It doesn't matter.."
"Okay come on let's go see the headmaster" he goes to open the door.
"Wait... okay fine... it's my dad..."
Mr Ward walks back over to where I was sat and pulls up a chair gesturing me to sit with him.
"You're not in trouble.. but we need to talk about this okay?" I nod slowly. "Okay so tell me. What does your dad do?"
For some reason I trust this guy.. he's the first teacher I've ever felt really cared about me.. so once I start talking I can't stop. I tell him everything.
He calls a substitute in and takes me to see the head of year to tell them what happens at home as well.

Justin's POV: I can't believe anyone could hurt their child like this.. I really feel bad for Josh. He's not a bad kid really he's just not had the best life so far I wish I could change that for him. After a while of talking with the head of year we make the decision to phone social services. I have the number of a social worker as I used to be a foster parent before I split up with my ex and then I started teaching. I pass the number to the head of year and I go to the quiet room where we left Josh to let him clam down as things got emotional. I walk in and sit down next to him.
"So Josh... we have had to phone social services okay-" I get interrupted.
"No. No no no I'm not going into the system! My brother got taken into care and guess how many times I've seen him since? TWICE. And guess what he spoke about during those meetings? How his foster dad abused him and the social didn't believe him. No way. I'll run away and I'll never come back please don't phone them!"
I sigh and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down... it's okay buddy listen.. I can maybe talk to your social worker about you staying with me. I used to be a foster parent. Would that be okay with you? You'd have to move class but not schools.."
"Oh..Uhm.. I guess. But why do you care about me so much?"
"I care about all my students" I mean I didn't lie but there was something about Josh that drew me to him.. he's very cute. I wish he was a little. The last time I had a little was a year ago and I miss having someone to look after.

Josh's POV: the head of year comes back in to let us know a social worker is on the way with a police officer to take a statement and discuss where I'm going to live. Justin offered to foster me which.. is nice not many people are nice to me so it's weird. I'm a bit worried about what to do when/if I go into littlespace while at his house, at home I can hide in my room but I might not get away with that at his house...

The social worker and police officer turn up. They talk to me about what's been going on and file a report about my parents. They then take Justin out the room to talk to him without me. When they come back the social worker asks.
"Would you be comfortable if Mr Ward fostered you?"
"Yeah.. it's fine.."
"Okay well you and Mr Ward need to come to my office after school and sign some paperwork then from tonight you will be living with Mr Ward."
"What about my dad.."
The police officer smiles at me.
"Don't worry bud. I'll sort him out. We'll be in touch regarding court. Nice meeting you all"
And with that everyone leaves me and Mr Ward alone to talk.
"You forgive me for phoning them then?" He smiles at me.
"Yeah.. I guess" I smile back. I forgot how smiling felt till now.
"Right we'll we've had a hectic day so I think I'll let you off lessons today. How about you head to my office and use my laptop and chill. I'll come get you at the end of the day okay?"
"Yes sir"
"Oh also your head of year will be sitting in my office with you. Can't leave a student in a room unsupervised sorry bud"
"Okay."