Part Two

Nathan’s eyelids flickered open revealing the beautiful green that lay underneath.

“Ow” He groaned.

“Nathan, are you okay?”

“Yeah, my head hurts though”

“Come on let me help you up” I took both of his hands in mine and slowly eased him up off the floor. He staggered and stumbled so i slipped his arm over my shoulder and clutched at his waist, I winced with each of his uneasy steps as all of his weight was falling back onto my cuts.

“I feel sick” He announced, all colour in his face suddenly draining to a pale white.

“Shit. One second. Hold on” We took a few small steps before he collapsed on the chair, his head too heavy to hold up.

“Nathan? Don’t close your eyes” 

He mumbled something in reply that i couldn’t make out. Instead i tilted his head back and grabbed the bin from under the nearby desk.

“I’m okay now. I’m okay” He stammered and breathed in and out a few times.

“You sure?”

He nodded in reply.

“I’m going to get Amy, she can help” He nodded again in recognition of what i’d said and i rushed out onto the landing calling out her name.

“What?!” She yelled moodily flinging open her door and giving me a dirty look. 

“Nathan hit his head”

“Is he okay?”

“No, i think he’s got a concussion”

“For fucks sake you ruin everything. He’s only here for 3 days and you injure him. Idiot” She grumbled, barging past me into my room. I hung my head in shame and went to follow her.

“Wait in my room” She snapped and slammed the door in my face.

I dragged myself across the landing, knowing what would be coming next. I tucked myself into a ball in the corner of her room, she came in 5 minutes later scowling and scanning the room to find me. I’d tucked myself right in behind her chest of drawers but she didn’t waste her time finding me and dragging me up by my hair to stand in front of her.

“Stupid little girl. What would mum say?”

“Please don’t Amy”

“You gonna cry? Fucking cry then, won’t stop me from beating the shit out of you”

I whimpered once and once only before her hand slapped my cheek and then her fist flew at my stomach repeatedly causing me to hunch over and curl up, trying to protect myself. Her curse words bounced off me, i was okay with them. It was the searing pain in my stomach and now my legs as she kicked me.

“Amy, what the fuck are you doing?” Nathan was in the room yelling at her, she said nothing and just gaped at him before finally stuttering;

“Nathan, baby, you’re meant to be having a lie down”

“I could hear her crying”

“We were just having an argument, it’s okay, go back to Esmie’s room” 

Curling my toes under myself and wiping away a trail of blood from my nose i avoided looking at both of them. I was embarrassed, i never wanted any one to see me this weak and i knew Amy would hit me even harder after he’d left.

“You’re a fucking psycho! Esmie, come with me”

“Stay where you are.” She growled at me. “Nathan, she’s my sister, i’m in legal care of her, you can’t take her from me” She sneered.

“She’s 16 next week, yes i can if she comes voluntarily.”

“Esmie, don’t you dare fucking move.”

“Esmie, listen to me. I can take you away from here. Come live with me until we can sort something out”

I said nothing but simply looked up at him. Tears were forming in his eyes and he looked really scared yet somehow, i couldn’t help feeling anywhere would be better than here. So i nodded, only slightly but he saw and moved swiftly past Amy to get to me. She clawed at his back, trying to punch him while he helped me to my feet. She clocked him on his jawline but he was resistant to it.

“You can’t take her from me. She’s all i have. Nathan, I love you don’t leave me. Don’t Nathan, please” She howled and gave up trying to hurt him, sitting on her bed and burying her face in her hands.

“Pack your things, i’ll call a taxi” He guided me to my room and pulled out my old gym bag.

“Thank you Nathan” I whispered, still out of breath from her winding me with her repeated punches.

“We’ll talk about that later, we just need to get you away from here”

I, again nodded in reply and started to pack up my few possessions.