05

Chapter five: after school

Class had ended and everyone began to scatter the now emptying classroom. Mr Sullivan stood there with his hands on his hips as his eyes followed me sharply.

"Maeve, care to explain why you were late?" He queried. "Also does your father know about all the fights you've been getting into?"

I swallowed thickly and toyed with my thumbs. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again. And yes he does" I lied- I couldn't tell the truth.

"Right.. in that case I will let you off this time but don't make it happen again. Okay?" He stated softly "I will have to talk to your father though about the fights"

I licked my chapped lips and nodded "t-thank you. May I leave now?"

He nodded and sent me on my way in which I immediately took notice of Evan waiting for me outside. His body was rested against one of the lockers and his face instantly crinkled into panic.

"My goodness- Maeve what happened" he said with worry "you're hurt again. Are you okay?"

I shook my head bleakly "I'm fine, truly"

Evan didn't believe me but chose to not pursue the subject which was a relief for me. Instinctively I wrested my body into his side as we walked down the hall; this physical action caught Evan off guard but he softened into it eventually.

"You don't have to tell me right now but please know I'll always be here" he reassured for what felt like the millionth time of knowing him.

"I appreciate that.." I hummed to myself. "About after school can I possibly bring my brother Dylan?"

"Of course you can. I would love to meet him" Evan replied. "I'm sure he will love me"

I frowned "sure, you're not the hate-able type peters"

**

School dragged as usual but I was excited to go round Evan's house today. He is the only person in the world who I felt like I could trust and who cared for me. I cared for him too.

Rushing indoors I found Dylan watching television with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders in his bedroom. "Hey Dylan. I want you to meet a friend of mine. Can you be really quiet for me?"

Dylan looked perplexed but nodded sweetly "sure sissy. Can I bring Dinoman?"

I chuckled lightly- my brother was obsessed with this dinosaur teddy. He had always been attached since mom bought if for him when he was a few months old. "Sure thing but don't lose him"

Dressing Dylan out of his pyjamas and into some joggers and a hoodie we exited the house as quietly as we could- insuring dad didn't hear us leave.

Once outside I saw Evan was sat in his car waiting for us, he looked all cute with a big grin plastered on his face which I seemed to adore more and more.

"So I was thinking- pizza and movies" Evan blurted out with. "What pizza do you like little man? Don't say pineapple please"

Dylan laughed in response "pepperoni pizza mister"

Evan nodded in approval "sure, pepperoni it is" he then began to drive away from our house- the house I wish I would never have to return to.

Evan's house was lovely, it had a white picket fence like one of those typical family houses with a big drive out the front.

"This is rather lovely" I complimented "I always wanted a home like this" I admitted shyly. Our family has always been tight on money but more so when dad used all our savings and college funds on alcohol and drugs.

"Yeah it's not the worst" he chuckled "it does the job. My family are rather upfront and loud so don't worry about that"

I pursed my lips "they sound great. I can't wait to meet them"

Exiting the car we went into Evan's home in which his mother was making dinner and his father was reading a newspaper at the dining table.

"Hey mom, this is Maeve and her brother Dylan" he introduced in which his mother instantly put down her tea towel and walked up to us. "Oh look at you both. It's so great to meet you!"

"It's great to meet you too-

"Don't tell me you're fostering these two now" a girl with blonde hair and an oversized red hoodie said disgruntled. She looked about fifteen years old.

"No Aimee. This is Evan's friend and her little brother" Evan's mother shot back. "How about you introduce yourself ?

She shook her head dismissively "I'm good thanks- just wanted to see what the racket was about."

Evan frowned "come on, you don't have to act like a stick is rammed up your arse twenty four seven"

"Evan! Don't speak to your sister that way-

"I'm not his sister" Aimee said flatly "I'm just a mere orphan girl living with someone's parents"

I didn't know how to place myself so instead stood awkwardly in-front of them, Dylan's little hand squeezing mine.

"Anyway I'll be in my room. Call me if you need me" she told Evan's mom.

"I'm ever so sorry about that-"

I raised my hand up to stop her "it's okay! I deal with worse"

Evan stiffened beside me because I had slightly just given away some information regarding my situation. "Right, mom we will be in my room okay?"

Julie nodded and let us go upstairs. Evan's house was rather big and his bedroom was rather clean for a teenager. "Dylan I have some games if you like playing on the PlayStation ?"

Dylan frowned "what's that?"

Sighing I ruffled my hair "we don't have that sort of stuff. But that's really great of you to offer"

Evan smiled warmly "let me show you little dude"

Evan whisked Dylan away whilst my eyes scanned across his room intently. I had never been in a boys room before.

"He is loving it" Evan chuckled as he walked back in after a few minutes "he is a little gamer in the making"

I smiled "thank you Evan. He really appreciated that"

Evan bit down on his lower lip and suddenly let out a big sigh "earlier you said you deal with worse.. can you tell me what you mean?"

"Yeah about that. I'll be truthful with you" I said sadly. My heart was hammering in my chest and tears pricked at my eyes.

"My dad- he hits me and I have no possible way of escaping him"

Evan's face contorted into a mix of pain and anger- he truly looked like he was lost for words so instead he held onto my hands as tightly as possible which made my tears fall from my eyes.

"He said if I go to the authorities.. he will get someone to hurt me really badly. It would also mean being apart from Dylan- I don't know what to do" I choked, my tears now never ending as my cheeks became more and more soaked.

Evan looked at me apologetically and cupped my face "I'm going to help you, you don't have to worry anymore"