‘Kaz, what happened,’ Josh sunk to his knees next to her.

‘My ankle,’ she groaned. ‘I’ve sprained it...hurts like hell,’ she breathed heavily.

‘Kaz, can we help you back to the bed?’ Ms. Shaw spoke softly.

It was only then that Kaz looked up and observed Ms. Shaw and her boyfriend. Her eyes narrowed accusingly as they returned to Josh.

Why did he have to bring Ms. Shaw and her boyfriend?

‘Sorry,’ Josh murmured. ‘It was too far for me to cycle and my dad is out of town.’

‘I was trying to get to the bathroom,’ Kaz looked up at Ms. Shaw.’

‘Let me help you up,’ Ms Shaw stepped forward.

‘Perhaps Kaz should not put pressure on it,’ Ryan suggested. Ms Shaw stopped where she was.

‘Let me call an ambulance,’ Josh hauled out his cell phone.

‘No!’ Kaz instructed. ‘No ___hospital.’

‘But Kaz, you need medical attention,’ Josh urged.

‘It’s just a sprain,’ she looked away. ‘I was a bit woozy as I got out of bed. I slipped and twisted my ankle.’

‘How long have you been lying here?’ Josh exclaimed, somewhat annoyed. His frustration directed at Kaz’s uncaring guardian.

Kaz looked at her bedside clock. ‘About three hours,’ she lied. She’d actually been on the floor, for much longer. She called out to her guardian for help, but she could not be bothered, said she was late for work. Kaz was thirsty, dehydrated and starving.

‘Help me get Kaz to the bathroom door,’ Ms. Shaw pleaded to Ryan. ‘I’ll assist her from there.’

Ryan lowered himself closer to Kaz. ‘Try to get your arm around my neck please Kaz,’ he tried supporting from the other side of Ms. Shaw.

‘I’ll manage from here,’ Kaz hobbled on one foot inside the bathroom. ‘Thank you, Ms. Shaw.’

‘Please be careful Kaz,’ Ms. Shaw gently touched her shoulder.

‘Okay,’ Kaz nodded, as she closed the door.

Ms Shaw walked into the kitchen to make Kaz something to eat. She observed Kaz looked a bit faint. She opened the refrigerator and found cheese and lettuce. She slapped them onto two sandwiches and switched on the kettle. She scratched through the cupboards, found a bottle of aspirins, put two on a side plate and set up the tea pot and sandwiches for Kaz on a tray.

When she returned to the bedroom, she found Josh helping Kaz back into bed. Ryan was standing there feeling and looking helpless. Ms. Shaw looked around at the room and found it looked like any typical teenager’s room. Discarded clothes that should have been on hangars were thrown on the floor or were hanging on the bottom of the bed frame. There was a glass and an empty plate, probably from the last meal that Kaz had eaten, which Ms. Shaw suspected were many hours ago, perhaps even last night.

‘I’ve made you a light snack,’ Ms. Shaw smiled.

‘Thank you,’ Kaz gulped down half the tea thirstily. She reached out hungrily for the sandwich and gobbled it down with haste. Ms. Shaw smiled encouragingly and poured Kaz more tea.

‘Kaz,’ Ryan spoke as she continued to devour her sandwiches. ‘Your ankle needs to be attended to.’

‘No doctor,’ she spoke with her mouth full and shook her head vigorously.

Ryan and Ms. Shaw exchanged a concerned look.

‘Perhaps we can attempt to ease it,’ Ryan relented. ‘Ice...bandages,’ he proposed.

‘There’s ice in the freezer,’ Kaz answered. ‘Josh, there’s bandages in the medicine chest in the bathroom.’

‘I’ll get it,’ Josh hastened to the bathroom, whilst Ryan went to the kitchen for ice.

Ryan propped her ankle on a pillow. He placed a plastic bin liner on the pillow and gently massaged the ice over the swelling. Kaz stiffened once or twice from the pain, but she allowed Ryan to continued bandaging her ankle.

‘Kaz, we’re taking you back to my parent’s home, until you are better,’ Josh stated.

‘Don’t be silly,’ Kaz laughed.

‘You are not getting any care here!’ Josh’s voice rose angrily. ‘I don’t know if your guardian is fit to be called anybody’s guardian.’

‘Josh,’ Ms. Shaw tugged at his arm. ‘You cannot just remove Kaz from her guardian. ‘There is procedure___.’

‘You have to help me, Ms. Shaw. You can see as clearly as I can, Kaz is being neglected. ‘How can Mrs. Bairns just ignore Kaz when she most needs her assistance? She did not even bother to visit Kaz once in the hospital. She is unfit to be entrusted as a guardian,’ Josh exclaimed.

‘I’ll be fine Josh,’ Kaz murmured, keeping her head lowered.

‘No you’re not!’ Josh argued. ‘You’re young. You need to be looked after, you need to be around people that care for you. ‘Ms. Shaw,’ Josh turned to her. ‘Please help me. We have to get Kaz out of here, please!’

‘Okay Josh,’ Ms. Shaw hesitatingly put her arm around Josh’s shoulder. ‘I cannot promise anything. Social Services will decide, but I think for tonight, we could write Mrs. Bairns a note telling her Kaz is visiting at my home,’ Ms. Shaw stated. ‘I cannot take Kaz to your parents’ home, without first consulting them.’

‘Thank you, Ms. Shaw.’

‘I’m still here, you know,’ Kaz mumbled, overcome by the concern Josh was exhibiting.

‘I have a guest room, that Ryan sometimes uses,’ Ms. Shaw laughed. ‘You can use it for as long as possible Kaz.’

‘Hey I have a can of anti-inflammatory spray in the trunk. A healthy dose will numb some of the pain before we get you into the car,’ Ryan smiled. ‘I think everybody would like to see you in more comfortable surroundings Kaz,’ Ryan nodded compassionately. He was tactfully intimating at the lack of guardianship and care, the young lady was clearly deprived off.

‘Are you comfortable Kaz?’ Ms. Shaw propped a pillow under her foot. ‘The elevation should ease the swelling.’

‘Thank you, yes.’

‘Don’t fall asleep Kaz. I’m going to make you something to eat.’

‘No, Ms. Shaw. I don’t want you going through any more trouble for me.’

‘Kaz!’ Ms. Shaw lowered herself onto the bed. ‘You are no trouble at all,’ she spoke gently. ‘It’s nice having somebody here other than my folks to talk to,’ she smiled. ‘I have to share my boyfriend with the TV Station, so I don’t get to see him as much as I would like to.’

‘Is that a hint honey?’ Ryan laughed, placing his arm on her shoulder.

‘You two out,’ Ms. Shaw laughed, ignoring Ryan’s comment, ‘let Kaz rest.’

‘Can’t I stay just a little longer?’ Josh pleaded.

‘Go and keep Ryan company in the living room,’ Ms. Shaw requested politely. ‘Allow Kaz to rest for at least thirty minutes, whilst I whip up some dinner for her.’

Ms. Shaw could just imagine Social Services; Mrs. Bairns and Josh’s parents questioning her judgement for leaving two teenagers; clearly attracted to each other, alone in a bedroom unchaperoned.

‘Yes ma’am,’ Josh sighed and dragged himself away, but not before he slanted an apologetic look in Kaz’s direction.

Ms. Shaw returned some twenty minutes later with a delicious smelling stew. Kaz was not asleep thankfully, the television remote in her hand, her eyes were glued to the screen.

‘You like The Simpsons!’ Ms. Shaw laughed.

‘I was not really watching,’ Kaz quickly switched it off.

‘Oh, I love that quirky bunch,’ Ms. Shaw smiled. ‘It’s one of my favourite programs.’

‘Really?’ Kaz’s eyes lit up. ‘Mrs. Bairns says cartoons are for toddlers__that I should act my age,’ Kaz looked down.

It was the first reference Kaz allowed of her private life, she did not easily volunteer information about herself.

‘I find The Simpsons hilarious,’ Ms. Shaw touched Kaz’s arm. ‘Ryan loves the program as well.’

‘You__want to watch with me?’ Kaz offered.

‘Sure,’ Ms. Shaw answered unhesitatingly. ‘How about you try and have some chicken stew?’ She handed Kaz the tray.

‘Thank you Ms. Shaw,’ Kaz threw the remote on the bed and greedily eyed the contents on the tray. There was the delicious smelling stew, a glass of coke, two bread rolls and a slice of apple pie. ‘Thank you,’ Kaz mumbled again and heartily tucked into the stew with gusto.

‘My pleasure,’ Ms. Shaw smiled, her eyes focused on the TV.

Kaz relaxed against the pillows, she wiped away every last morsel of her stew. Intermittently she laughed loudly together with Ms. Shaw as they watched the hilarious program. As Kaz indulged in her apple pie, she and Ms. Shaw exchanged opinions about the show and who their favourite characters were. Ms. Shaw was glad to see Kaz begin to relax and the healthy colour was returning to her face.

‘Thirty minutes are over,’ Josh rushed in but hesitated near the door as he observed the two ladies glued to the television.

Ms. Shaw smiled. According to her watch, there was still five minutes left, but as she was there, it was fine for Josh to enter. She observed Kaz was uncomfortable about the program, clearly it was not something she wanted Josh to witness, as yet.

‘Come in Josh,’ Ms. Shaw smiled. ‘I wanted to watch The Simpsons and Kaz kindly agreed to watch with me.’

‘Thank you,’ Josh walked towards the bed. ‘Ryan __is still watching the game.’

Ms. Shaw rolled her eyes. She had no idea what game her boyfriend was watching, she suspected Ryan was allowing Kaz the opportunity to finish her dinner.

‘How’s the ankle Kaz?’ Josh gently touched Kaz’s arm.

‘Fine thanks,’ she sipped on her coke. ‘That spray was great. It worked almost instantly.’

‘Yeah, they use it on sportsmen and women,’ Josh rattled, ‘when they sustain injuries on the field they spray the stuff on then continue playing.’

‘I see,’ Kaz mumbled uncomfortably as she dabbed the napkin over her lips.

‘You may have a seat Josh,’ Ms. Shaw laughed, as she patted the two seater sofa she was sitting on.

‘Thank you,’ Josh seated himself. ‘I guess I won’t be able to stay much longer,’ he looked at Kaz. ‘My mum will expect me home. Tomorrow is school,’ he shrugged apologetically.

‘Thank you for coming to the flat Josh,’ Kaz smiled uncomfortably.

‘No problem,’ he nodded. ‘Thanks to Ryan and Ms. Shaw for helping,’ Josh acknowledged.

‘I must apologise,’ Ms. Shaw dragged out. ‘When Josh came to me, I was reluctant at first. I thought perhaps you just wanted some ___quiet time alone.’

Kaz kept her head lowered. That had been her plan. She had been trying to keep some distance between herself and Josh. Then she had to do something stupid like fall and sprain her ankle. Thank heavens the preacher boy had been persistent and hadn't ignored her instructions to stay away from her. She shuddered to think how long she would have been lying on the floor before help arrived. She wondered what she should do about Josh now. Obviously he cared for her and she was loathed to admit, this skinny, spunky, I don’t take no for an answer; fool was making her feel things she promised her young heart she would not subject herself to. Kaz wondered though, why had this preacher boy never attempted to kiss her? He was so unlike the low life male scum that was always trying to get into her pants. Josh’s ringing cell phone disturbed Kaz’ reverie.

‘Hi mum,’ Josh answered. He listened, whilst his mom seemed to speak a litany of words to him. ‘I’ll be home in a minute mum. I’m at Ms. Shaw’s,’ Josh spoke. ‘See you just now,’ he ended the call.’

‘Is Ryan staying the night?’ Josh slipped his phone into his pocket.

‘No!’ Ms. Shaw blurted. Off course he was not. Kaz was using the only spare bed room the Shaw’s had. Ryan would leave as soon as she and he had some dinner. ‘I was going to offer you dinner Josh.’

‘Thanks Ms. Shaw,’ Josh smiled. ‘Mum saved me some mac and cheese.’

‘Good night then Josh,’ Ms. Shaw prompted.

‘Yes,’ Josh cast his eyes on the young lady in the bed. ‘Good night Kaz,’ he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

‘Um___yeah good night,’ Kaz stammered, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with Ms. Shaw keenly observing the two of them. She cleared her throat when Josh made no move to actually leave the room.

‘Right, no heroics please Kaz,’ Josh raised a finger. ‘Don’t want you causing more harm to yourself,’ he grinned.

‘Just go,’ Kaz mumbled.

‘Good night Ms. Shaw,’ Josh waved.

‘See you in school tomorrow Josh,’ Ms. Shaw smiled as Josh left the room.

Kaz avoided looking at Ms. Shaw after Josh’s departure. She wondered if Ms. Shaw was going to give her the third degree about her and Josh. As much as Ms. Shaw was so cool and all of that, Kaz was not comfortable to open up about anything with her teacher!

‘Hey,’ Ms. Shaw laughed. ‘Come back here.’

‘What!’ Kaz answered.

‘You seem to have drifted off somewhere,’ Ms. Shaw smiled. ‘I asked if you needed something for pain?’

Kaz looked across at Ms. Shaw and saw she was holding a bottle of water and some pain killers.

‘Thank you,’ Kaz gratefully swallowed down the pills. She opened the bottle and took two big swallows.

‘I’ll bring you another bottle of water and some fruit juice as well. You’ll be okay?’

‘Yeah sure,’ Kaz nodded.

‘My room is just next to this one,’ Ms. Shaw smiled. ‘So yell in the night if you need anything. I’m a light sleeper.’

‘Thank you,’ Kaz uttered for the umpteenth time that night.

‘If you need anything; I’ll still be up for another hour or so before Ryan leaves,’ Ms. Shaw smiled.

‘Sure, good night,’ Kaz replied tiredly.

‘Good night Kaz. I’ll bring you breakfast before I leave to school.’

A week later Kaz decided she was fit enough to leave the Shaw’s residence. Much as she was grateful to Ms. Shaw she did not want to be a burden. She and Ms. Shaw had become much more acquainted. Kaz finally realized that Ms. Shaw was a really sweet, gentle spirited person. She was like the female version of Josh. They only saw the good in people. They were always so positive about life. Kaz suspected if she had, had two stable, morally conscious, role model parents she could have been positive about life as well. It was easy for the preacher boy and Ms. Shaw to make lemonade out of the lemons life threw at them; she on the other hand could not. Her life was not easy like theirs was. She had to fight to stay alive. She had to beg for jobs so she could generate income. She had a burdensome commitment to the orphanage she had been a ward of and she was privately dealing with a demon that was keeping her awake most nights. Thank heavens Ms. Shaw or her parents were unaware of her repulsive nightmares.

She had to leave and soon before they found out. For now her only safe haven was ironically with the cold, uncaring Mrs. Bairns. Kaz preferred the heartless Mrs. Bairns for that very reason. She never questioned Kaz. She did not mind her business. As long as she received the check from Social Services each month, she tolerated Kaz in her home and Kaz liked it that way. She liked that the old hag did not question her about her life, did not pretend to care for her. Mrs. Bairns did not care whether Kaz was dead or alive and that is just the way Kaz liked their relationship.

‘Hey Kaz,’ Ms. Shaw breezed into Kaz’s bedroom. ‘You got ninety eight percent in your algebra test!’

‘Where did I lose the two percent?’ Kaz was annoyed with herself.

‘Ms. Shaw laughed. ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself,’ she handed Kaz her test. ‘By the way you topped the class,’ Ms. Shaw commented proudly.

‘I beat Josh!’ Kaz looked away when she realized she revealed more than she wanted to.

Ms. Shaw smiled cynically. ‘Strangely, he asked me the same question!’

Kaz looked away, not wanting to meet Ms. Shaw’s eyes.

‘He wanted to bring you, your paper,’ she grinned. ‘I wanted to give you the good news myself.’

‘Thank you,’ Kaz took the paper and searched to see where she’d lost the two percent and found where she had not reduced the one answer to the lowest common denominator. ‘Idiot,’ she scolded herself.

‘Don’t be so hard on yourself,’ Ms. Shaw repeated with a smile. ‘You’ve done excellently all semester.’

‘So how did Josh fare?’ Kaz finally asked. Generally in class after the math tests, she would always pull his tests from him and scrutinize his results. Sometimes she did better than him, other times he would fare better. Kaz would always jeer at him, when he beat her.

‘You beat him by two percent,’ Ms. Shaw replied.

‘Oh!’ Kaz seemed disappointed. Why couldn’t she beat him by like twenty percent or something? Strangely they did not have this competitiveness about any of their other subjects.

‘I guess it’s healthy,’ Ms. Shaw teased.

‘What is?’ Kaz squirmed uncomfortably.

‘This competitiveness between you and Josh, it makes the two of you excel,’ she laughed. ‘The both of you are my star pupils, she added proudly, as she stood up to leave the room.

‘Ms. Shaw!’

‘Yeah?’

‘I think it’s time for me to leave,’ Kaz blurted, before her courage deserted her. Ms. Shaw’s eyes widened. She sunk to the bed again.

‘Stay a little longer Kaz. You___.’

Kaz shook her head forcefully, stopping Ms. Shaw from further words. ‘It’s time, I leave,’ Kaz murmured softly.

‘You know the principal and Pastor Ralph are in communication with Social Services about Mrs. Bairns. She is not competent as a care giver to you Kaz,’ Ms. Shaw murmured. ‘She is actually unfit to be your guardian.’

‘I can take care of myself,’ Kaz refuted.

‘Like when you sprained your ankle and were laying on the floor for probably six hours!’

‘You knew!’

‘It’s obvious to someone with a trained eye. I have a certificate in first aid, so does Ryan.’

‘No wonder he keeps an emergency kit in his trunk.’

Ms. Shaw did not answer, though her eyes were sad, disappointed at Kaz’s intention to leave.

‘Look, I cannot be a burden to you forever,’ Kaz hissed, getting annoyed at herself for even contemplating staying a day longer.

‘You’re not a burden Kaz,’ Ms. Shaw gripped her hand tightly. ‘I like having you for company. We all feel more comfortable with you not going back to Mrs. Bairns.’

‘“We?’”

Ms. Shaw sighed. ‘Me, Josh, Ryan, the principal, Pastor Ralph, Social Services, even my parents like your company, Kaz.’

Kaz had been making the effort during the day to slowly get her ankle working again. Occasionally she would sit on the terrace with Ms. Shaw parent’s and tell them funny stories while they took lunch together. She earned Mr. Shaw’s respect when she fixed the electrical problem in his car.

Kaz threw the covers off and limped out of bed. ‘Look I have to leave___I must leave,’ Kaz seemed more like she was convincing herself.’

‘Why would you want to return to a place where you are not cared for?’ Ms. Shaw gripped her wrist. ‘Mrs. Bairns collects your money, but you work two jobs to fend for yourself!’

Kaz tensed. Her entire body was wound up. She could feel anger raging inside her. Her eyes fell to the hand tightly circled around her wrist.

‘Sorry,’ Ms. Shaw dropped her hand.

‘Ms Shaw___I like you and all that, and your folks are real caring at all, but I cannot live off you. You have to understand that. I___need my own space, ___please.’

‘Stay, just till the weekend Kaz. On Saturday, I’d like to take you to the fun fair and then maybe we could watch a movie and I promise on Sunday, I will drive you back to your flat.’

Kaz argued with her mind. ‘Two more days?’ Kaz verified.

‘Yes, I promise,’ Ms. Shaw smiled.

‘Okay, two more days,’ Kaz reluctantly conceded.

‘So what is Josh going to say?’ Ms. Shaw grinned.

She’d observed every day, Josh would come over, with a chocolate bar and soda for Kaz. They would either sit in the patio or the living room and if Ms. Shaw was in the kitchen, she could hear Kaz’s spontaneous laughter, something she’d never heard Kaz do at school. The young ones were getting along just fine. Josh was an amazing kid. He had such a caring, responsible head on his shoulders.

‘Josh is easier to deal with than you,’ Kaz laughed. ‘I can tell him off, without thinking twice, you on the other hand Ms. Shaw are difficult to stand up to,’ Kaz grinned.

‘Really!’ Ms. Shaw laughed. ‘When you first attended my classes, I thought I was not going to get two words out of you.’

‘I’m ___not much of a talker. I like my own company,’ Kaz mumbled.

‘There’s nothing wrong with any of that Kaz. You are an exemplary student. That’s what every teacher hopes for, from their students.’

‘Thank you Ms. Shaw. I plan to become an automotive engineer and open my own business,’ Kaz stated confidently.

‘Well from what I hear from my dad, you’re going to be a resounding success,’ Ms. Shaw laughed.

‘Thank you for believing in me, Ms. Shaw.’

She stopped laughing. Her eyes remained trained on Kaz’s face. Clearly nobody had previously spoken positive words over the young lady.

‘You have amazing intellect Kaz,’ Ms. Shaw took both her hands into her own. ‘I do believe you will make an exceptional contribution in an engineering, medical or technical field.’

‘Hey Kaz!’ Josh strolled in. ‘Ms. Shaw,’ he smiled. He saw them closely together, deep in conversation. He did not want to intrude, but he’d come to extend an invitation to Kaz. He hoped she’d be agreeable. Kaz was looking so much healthier and bubblier. She was doing so much better under Ms. Shaw’s loving and tender care.

‘Hey Josh,’ Kaz smiled happily. ‘You’re going out?’ she asked disappointedly, seeing him smartly dressed.

‘I have two cans of coke on the patio table. How about we get some sun,’ Josh grinned, not answering her question.

‘Excuse me, Ms. Shaw,’ Kaz smiled and walked to where Josh stood.

‘Enjoy,’ Ms. Shaw smiled and waved them off.

Ms. Shaw left the two youngsters to themselves in the patio. Her parents had a bird’s eye view of the patio from the living room. She went across next door to see Pastor Ralph.

‘Hi Eleanor, Pastor Ralph busy?’

‘No,’ she smiled. ‘He’s just having a cup of tea in the lounge. Why don’t you join him?’

‘Thank you, Ms. Shaw smiled.

‘Hey Pastor Ralph.’

‘Dominic,’ Pastor Ralph stood up.

‘No, sit down again, finish you tea,’ Ms. Shaw smiled. ‘Sorry to disturb you. I know you don’t get much free time,’ Ms. Shaw apologised.

‘You’re always welcome Dominic, you know that.’

‘Kaz would like to return to her guardian,’ Ms. Shaw announced without preamble.

‘I’ve brought you some coffee Dominic,’ Eleanor announced.

‘Thank you Eleanor, please join us.’

Eleanor sat down next to her husband. She casually draped her hand over her husband’s. Pastor Ralph smiled at his wife, and linked his hands into hers.

‘I’m sorry to hear that Dominic,’ Pastor Ralph commented. ‘Josh informs me, Mrs. Bairns is unfit to be anybody’s guardian. Whilst I suspect my son’s views may be biased,’ Pastor Ralph laughed, ‘I do believe Josh would not speak an untruth.’

‘I agree with Josh,’ Dominic seconded. ‘My view is Kaz is being neglected under her guardian’s care.’

‘We have a problem then, if the young lady insists on staying there,’ Pastor Ralph stated.

‘No young girl deserves to be subjected to what Kaz endures,’ Eleanor stated. ‘She seems to be such a confident and bright girl,’ Eleanor added perceptively.

‘She is, very much so,’ Dominic agreed.

‘Dominic, this is an unpleasant setback for your adoption plans,’ Pastor Ralph announced.

‘I so want to help Kaz,’ Dominic sighed. ‘It breaks my heart to see such a young girl, trying to fend for herself. She has so much potential. She is a beautiful young girl with such a good heart.’

‘Speaking of a good heart Dominic, do you know two days ago, she gave Josh two hundred dollars and a list of foods he was to buy for the orphanage she used to belong to,’ Eleanor stated. ‘Josh asked me to take him to the orphanage to deliver the groceries.’

‘Really!’ Dominic was astounded. She had given Kaz the two hundred dollars to buy herself any personal effects she had need of. The general dealer down the road, did home deliveries free of charge in the area.

‘So where you off to Preacher Boy?’ Kaz teased Josh.

He laughed. It’s Friday, you know we have the Youth Club meetings.’

‘Oh right,’ she looked bored all off a sudden.

‘Come with me Kaz,’ Josh linked his hand to hers.

‘No thanks, you go on,’ she subtly removed her hand.

‘Kaz please come. You will love it. They play real cool music.’

‘No thanks Josh,’ Kaz stood up. ‘I’ll go and rest.’

‘Kaz,’ Josh gripped her arm. ‘There’s this international speaker. He prophesies God’s Word to young people.’

Kaz blinked. She could feel bile collecting in her throat. She tried to pull her arm away, but it seemed paralysed. Her body tensed. Her eyes became glazed. Red embers of rage were building up to a crescendo inside her. She took a few seconds and inhaled heavily.

‘I’m not interested Josh,’ she murmured. ‘Good bye.’

‘God has a word just for you, tonight. I know it,’ Josh persisted,’ his fingers tightening around her arm.

‘I DON’T NEED YOUR GOD!’ Kaz yanked her arm from his grip. ‘Infact, I don’t bloody need you breathing down my neck either!’ she screamed. ‘Get the hell out of my life! Stay the hell away from me!’ Kaz screamed even louder.

‘Kaz! Kaz!’ Ms. Shaw came running and circled her arms protectively around Kaz.

“Keep him away from me! Keep him away,’ Kaz buried her head in Ms. Shaw’s shoulders.

             -end chapter thirteen-