I walked down the hall and made my way to Terrance's home office. I softly knocked on the door and waited for him to answer.

"Come in."

I opened the door and shyly peeked inside. Terrance looked up from his desk and chuckled lowly. He removed his reading glasses and sat up from his crouched over position.

"You can come in sweetheart."

I walked in and quickly closed the door behind me. I walked over to Terrance's desk and sat down on one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"So, what's up?" Terrance enquired.

"I'm sorry for bothering you." I smiled at him shyly. "I just wanted to see you."

Terrance's smile seemed to brighten.

"You're not bothering me Bey. I'd love for us to spend more time together."

I giggled at the little nickname he gave me and sat back comfortably. I stared at Terrance and thought about the many questions I had for him. There were too many to throw at him all at once so I decided to ask the least important question.

"I wanted to know what school I'd be going to?"

Terrance frowned and sat back into his chair. I eyed him suspiciously as his demeanour seemed to change.

"You're not going to school."

I frowned. What does he mean? I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.

"You'll be homeschooled. Quincy's homeschooled and I figured that it would be best for you to be as well."

Did I want to be homeschooled? I didn't really fit in at my old school. I had no friends and would usually have to sit in the library so that I could escape the occasional lunch break tormenting.

"Beyoncé."

I looked up at Terrance as he got up from his seat. He made his way around his desk and kneeled down in front of me. He took my hands into his and brought them up to his chest.

"I want you to be at home with me." He placed a kiss on the back of my left hand. "I've missed out on so much and I want to make sure that I make up for the time I've spent away from you. I get to see you all the time. I get to know that you're safe."

I slowly nodded. Homeschooling didn't seem so bad. I've always been awkward and shy and I didn't really want to struggle to make new friends. I didn't want what happened at my old school to happen again. And it's not like I'd be alone. I'd have Quincy.

"Quincy and I will be together?"

Terrance nodded and I smiled. I'd at least have one friend. There'd be no awkward introductions and no potential bullying.

"Okay."

Terrance smiled and kissed the back of my hand again. I could tell that he was very happy with my decision and it made me glad. I just want to make Terrance happy. I stood up to leave, but I thought of something.

"So, Jay and Chris aren't homeschooled?"

Terrance looked up from his desk and just stared at me for a moment. It looked like he was thinking of what to say to me.

"No Beyoncé."

I waited for him to continue. To at least give me an explanation, but he continued to look down at his paperwork.

As I made my way out of his office, I found myself in front of Quincy's door. I gave it a few soft knocks and giggled when I heard Quincy's squeaky voice tell me to enter.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled.

Quincy was on the floor, on his back sweating up the place. I walked over to his bed and took a seat.

"I-I'm working out." He breathed. "Can't you see?"

I shook my head at him. "That doesn't look right. I think you're doing it wrong."

Quincy stopped to look over at me before continuing his 'workout'.

"I'm a boy. I know how to exercise Beyoncé." He huffed.

"If you say so." I shrugged.

"Anyways, I wanted to know why we have to be homeschooled, but Jay and Chris doesn't."

"Um, Chris doesn't go to school. He's too old."

I titled my head. "How old is he?"

Quincy kissed his teeth and got up from the floor. He breathed in deeply and plopped down beside me.

"I don't know. Just older." He shrugged as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"So why are we homeschooled and Jay isn't?"

Quincy looked down at the ground and shrugged. "I don't go to regular school because the kids are really mean. Kids aren't mean to Jay."

He turned to me and smiled. "The kids might be mean to you. Maybe that's why dad wants you to stay with me."

I frowned at what he said. Why would the kids be mean to me and not Jay? Why would Terrance think that kids would be mean to me? I mean, the kids at my old school tormented me every chance they got, but who's to say the same would happen at a new school?

"Why would Terrance think that?" I curiously asked.

Quincy carelessly shrugged and slid down from the bed. He rolled onto his stomach and started to do push ups. At least I think that's what he was doing.

"Before you came, he had a talk with me. Said that I was special and that you were special too. Said I needed to be nice to you since we were so much alike. Said I should love you because you're my sister."

I sat silently and watched as Quincy continued to exercise. I was extremely confused and a tiny bit...upset? I couldn't understand why I felt the way I did. Terrance, from what I just heard from Quincy, just wanted to look out for me.

He wanted me to be close with Quincy because we were brother and sister and we seemed to be very much alike in some way. What did Terrance mean by this?

Is it because we're closer in age? Why do I feel so offended. Nothings particularly wrong with Quincy. He's just... a bit odd. Did Terrance think that I was odd too? Does he think I'm weird?

"Does Terrance think I'm weird?"

Quincy stopped mid push up and scrunched his face up. He quickly sat up on his behind and crossed his legs.

"No." He huffed. "Why would you ask that?"

I shrugged. "He said we're alike."

I saw Quincy's eyes widen a bit as if he were surprised. His shoulders slumped down and he started to fiddle with his fingers. What was up with the sudden change in behaviour. He seemed sad.

I slowly slid off of the bed and knelt down on my knees to sit in front of him. I tilted my head to the side and frowned.

"Quincy what's wrong?"

"Y-you think I'm weird?"

I sat frozen in front of him. I liked Quincy. I liked him a lot. In the short amount of time that I've been here, I've grown to learn that he had became my most favourite person.

I didn't think that he'd be upset by me thinking that I thought he was a bit weird. I thought he was cute. I didn't like him any less.

"Not in a bad way." I timidly replied.

He scoffed.

"You're just as weird!" He angrily shouted. "I might do things that I can't control but you're dumb. You can't tell time you-" His voice cracked.

"You probably don't even know what day it is today!"

Quincy shoved me and I fell back. He quickly stood up and turned around. I began to cry and I could tell that he was too.

"Y-you hurt me." I sobbed.

With his back still turned to me, he said. "Well you hurt my feelings. Leave my room. I don't like you anymore."

I got up quickly and sprinted for the door. Salty tears blurred my vision as I blindly ran down the narrow hallway into the direction of my room.

I felt my body hit another and I gasped as I went falling backwards onto my bottom. I took my trembling bottom lip in between my teeth and shut my eyes tight. That really hurt.

"Watch i- why are you crying?"

I recognised the voice. I wasn't in the mood for more insults. I've been hurt enough for one day. I kept my eyes shut and continued to cry as I squeezed the ends of my ruffled dress.

I just wanted the day to be over. I could hear Chris' voice but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I tuned him out and soon felt arms being wrapped around my body and being held close.

I placed my face into the chest of the person carrying me and continued to sob. I didn't mean to hurt Quincy's feelings. I really really liked him. Now he hates me. He hurt me and hates me.

I felt large hands on my face.

"Beyoncé, baby." I heard the voice coo'e. "Please open your eyes and talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

I opened my eyes and felt rough thumbs gently wipe my tears away. I continued to heave and finally realised who the comforting voice belonged to.

"Tell me what happened?"

"He-he h-hurt-" I hiccuped.

Terrance's face hardened. Before I was able to finish what I wanted to say, he angrily spoke.

"He hurt you?" I've never heard Terrance speak in this kind of tone before. It scared me a little.

I shook my head slowly. I didn't know how to say it. Would Terrance be mad that I basically implied that Quincy was weird. Would he be mad enough to send me away. I didn't want to be sent away. I liked it here.

"I-"

I was cut off by Terrance quickly standing up and marching to the door. I jumped when he harshly pushed open his office door, causing it to go crashing into the wall as it opened.

"Christopher!"

My eyes widened and I quickly hopped off of the desk and ran. I soon reached Terrance and saw him standing in front of Chris' bedroom door. Terrance loudly banged his right fist against the wooden door and I began to shake.

I've never seen Terrance this angry. I don't think I've ever seen anyone this angry. What just happened? What did he want with Christopher.

Chris' door swung open and Chris yawned as he gave his father a rather confused look. Before any words were spoken between the two, Terrance roughly grabbed onto Chris' collar and shoved him into his room.

I gasped.

"What the fuck did you do?" Terrance angrily shouted.

Chris groaned as Terrance roughly shoved him into the edge of his desk.

"Argh, what the fuck?" Chris screamed.

"What the fuck are you talking about!"

Terrance still had a death grip on Chris' collar. I stood at the entrance of the door completely speechless. The entire scene scared the living daylights out of me. I didn't like what I was seeing. I didn't like seeing Terrance this way. He's always so sweet to me. I never knew he had this side to him.

"You sick fuck." Terrance gritted. "What did you do to her?"

Chris' face scrunched up as he looked between Terrance and I. He then kept his eyes on me and I watched as his face went from complete confusion to anger. His eyes left my own and he angrily shoved Terrance back.

"The little brat throws a fucking tantrum and you blame me?" Chris grits.

He looks at Terrance in disbelief and shakes his head with a pitiful laugh. Terrance, still angry, steps forward and glares at Chris.

"She said you hurt her."

Chris' eyes widened as his eyes quickly shifted towards me.

"You fucking trouble maker!" Chris spits at me.

I quickly shake my head as I feel myself begin to cry again. I feel a hand on my shoulder as I tune out Chris and Terrance's shouting.

"What's going on?"

Jay takes his hand off of my shoulder and stands beside me. He turns me to face him and searches my face worryingly.

"Beyoncé, what's wrong?"

I shake my head. "Quincy said that I was dumb. He pushed me and he said- he said he hates me. He hates me Jay." I sobbed.

"Quincy?" Terrance asked. His voice didn't sound as angry as it did before. It makes me a little less uncomfortable and I relax my tensed shoulders.

"You know how she is. Why wouldn't you ask me first before completely losing your shit?" Chris frustratingly asks.

How am I?

Terrance is completely silent as he looks at me. I thought that he would've ran off already. Ran off to find Quincy. But he stood completely still.

"Don't be mad at Quincy." I whined. "I made him mad."

Terrance doesn't look at Chris, instead, he walks over to me, takes my hand into his and leads me out of the room.

"My bad Chris! Sorry for blaming you for everything like always Chris!" Chris shouts at us as we head down the hallway.

Terrance opens Quincy's door and we walk in to find him on the bed. His head is down with his shoulders slumped over.

Quincy looks up at us and sighs. "I didn't mean to hurt Bey. I was just sad dad." His eyes met mine as he began to cry. "She called me weird."

I quickly shook my head. "I didn't say he was weird. You think I'm weird like him." I yelled at Terrance.

"I know what you think of me! You think I'm weird like mother did. That's why you don't want me going to school. You think I'm too dumb to go to school. You're just like those mean kids at school." I sob.

"Beyoncé, baby that's not true."

Terrance caresses my face and I quickly swat his hand away.

"Quincy said that you told him that we're special." I hiccuped. "That means you think we're dumb. The kids at school called me special. B-but that's because they thought I was dumb."

As I cried, Terrance wrapped his around around my shoulders and brought me into his chest. I wrapped my arms around his torso as I let my salty tears coat his white button up shirt.

"Beyoncé sweety, you're not dumb. That's not what I meant when I called you special."

Terrance gently pushes me back and lets me sit beside Quincy. He kneels down in front of us and grabs each of our hands into his own.

"You two are the sweetest most innocent people I know. I called you special because I love you so much. You guys mean the absolute world to me and I just want to protect you two. I don't want anyone hurting you."

Terrance spoke to the both of us but he never broke eye contact with me as he spoke.

"I don't think you're dumb at all. You're special because you're my world."

"Really?" I spoke.

I didn't know that Terrance felt this way about me. It made me feel all weird inside. A good weird. I've never known of anyone ever caring about me. Besides mother and grandmother. It felt nice to know that someone else cared for me just as much.

Terrance nodded. I leaped in for a hug and I heard him chuckle to himself lowly. As I sat back, Terrance looked over at Quincy and so did I. He didn't look as sad as he did before.

"You okay buddy?"

Quincy nodded. "I don't like my two favourite people arguing. Can you two make up?"

Quincy looked over at me and shyly bit his lip as he slowly nodded. A smile made its way onto my face as we both hugged one another tightly.

"I'm sorry for calling you weird Quincy." I cried.

"Im sorry for hurting you." He paused. "And for calling you dumb."

We pulled away from the hug and I nodded as a way to let him know that I excepted his apology.

"How about you two head down stairs into the kitchen. I'll be down shortly to get us some snacks, then we'll watch a movie."

Quincy and I squealed in excitement and we hopped up from the bed and sprinted to the door. As Quincy ran down the hall, I stopped mid run and quickly turned back.

"Terrance?" I called as I entered Quincy's bedroom.

"Yes."

I walked shyly and stood in front of him. I mustered up the courage to speak the words that flew around in my head but I felt my self get tongue tied. What would his reaction be? Would he be happy or upset? Would he say no? I quickly shook my head and turned to leave.

"Beyoncé? Something bothering you?"

I turned to look up at him and shut my eyes tight as I spoke.

"C-can I call you dad?"

As I kept my eyes closed, nothing was said. I grew nervous when the silence lasted longer than expected and bravely opened my eyes. I couldn't read the expression on his face. I shouldn't have asked. I've probably upset him.

"I'm sor-"

"Yes. I've been wanting you to call me that since the first day we met."

I smiled and gave him a quick hug before sprinting down to the kitchen. I felt really shy and didn't want Terrance to see me cry. The entire ordeal made me a bit emotional and if I had stayed in the room with him any longer. I surely would've cried.

I hopped down the last step of stairs and headed for the kitchen. I felt my body collide into another and gasped. Luckily, this time I didn't fall.

"Can't you ever watch where you're going?" Chris spat.

The smile that I had on my face instantly disappeared and my eyes widened. Chris gave me a disgusted look and scoffed.

"I-I'm sorry." I squeaked.

"Just stay out of my fucking way."

Chris slightly bumped his arm into mine and I stumbled off the the side. As he headed up the stairs, I turned back to look at him as I soothingly rubbed my shoulder. Ouch. That actually really hurt.

I took in a deep breath and mentally coached myself. I'm not going to let Chris ruin this for me. Quincy wants me here. Jay wants me here. Terrance, I mean dad definitely wants me here. His funky attitude is not going to run me off. No matter how hard he tries, I will not leave. This is my home now.

I'll just make sure to avoid Chris at all costs. I'm sure that won't be too hard. He wants me to stay out of his way, so as long as I obeyed his instruction, everything would be fine. Right?

_____________

Thoughts? Thank you for all the votes. I appreciate it. I have another book posted called My Rose. It's Chris & Bey book so do go and check it out.🩷

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