. 7 .
John gets thrown into a wooden structure that he was once working on a while ago, breaking it back into the pieces he started with. It would've been his mom's new bookcase for her birthday. That wooden structure is in the garage, the garage his father told him to sort out and clean the other day and he still never got around to it. He felt helpless. No matter what he did, his father would find something to be angry about. He was angry back, it fueled inside like a burning inferno, a volcano waiting to erupt. And then, he wasn't even thinking, he just saw red, and decided to hit back sending his father tumbling to the ground. Mixed in with his anger, the fear returned. His father got back up and charged toward him and John hit him again, proceeding to run back inside the house. He dashed upstairs, grabbed his duffle bag and filled it with whatever clean clothes he had lying around among other things. He heard his father slam the garage door shut and knew he would soon reach upstairs...so John escaped through his bedroom window just like he used to when he was little.
He ran...
He knew his father took his car keys or would probably have it reported stolen if John drove away in it. He had no intention of crying, he was too busy trying to ignore the pain as he ran down block after block. He reached a crossroad; if he continued straight ahead, it would take him to Nadia's house. If he made a right, it would take him to Kian and Vanessa's.
He took a right.
. . . . .
"Oh my God Vanessa, stop texting during the movie," Lucy begged.
"Maybe it'd be easier to watch the movie if I wasn't a 3rd wheel," Vanessa rolled her eyes & Kian tossed a couple pieces of popcorn at her, keeping his arm around Lucy.
"I told you to invite Kalin," Lucy said.
"Okay, one, it's too soon to invite someone I only waved to. And two, it's still weird for me that you're dating my stepbrother. Talk about gross. He wears superhero boxers for crying out loud."
"Uh, I'm sitting right here," Kian added.
"Awww," Lucy chuckled. "I like those boxers."
"On the floor," Kian smirked as he kept his eyes forward, Lucy covered his mouth.
"Right then! Be right back, gonna go throw up in the kitchen sink." Vanessa got up and left the living room.
"Aww Nessa!" Lucy laughed. "See what you did, Kian?"
Kian shrugged. He knew it bothered Vanessa to give her any intimate detail about he & Lucy but he could care less.
Before Vanessa could reach the kitchen, the doorbell rung.
"Can someone get that?" Her stepmother shouted from upstairs. "I'm blowdrying my hair!"
"Not it!" She heard Kian shout from the living room.
Vanessa answered the door and saw it was John, out of breath, sweaty, and holding a duffle bag.
"Is Kian here?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah he's in the living room with Lucy, are you okay?"
John shook his head and Vanessa let him in.
"What's going on," she asked, soon to be joined by Kian and Lucy.
"What's up?" Kian also asked.
"He showed up looking like he just finished street-fighting," Vanessa answered.
"...Was it him?" Kian met John's eyes. All John could do was nod. "That fuckin' asshole."
"Will someone fill me in?" Lucy folded her arms.
"Can I tell them?" Kian asked John in which he shrugged. "His shitty father beats him from time to time...even though I told him to talk to someone."
Lucy and Vanessa were in shock. Vanessa tried to rub his back out of sympathy but he moved away. That's the main thing he didn't want, sympathy.
"I'm gonna tell my mom tomorrow," John spoke. "I just need somewhere to stay for now and I know you guys have a lot of guest rooms."
"Uh yeah, which our dad checks every night," Vanessa scoffed.
"He can stay in my room," Kian spoke up. "Lucy will just have to stay in Vanessa's."
"You didn't tell me you were gonna stay in his room," Vanessa said to Lucy.
"What had happened was..." Lucy trailed off.
"Ugh, whatever. Kian, just sneak him upstairs now before your mom finds out."
. . . . .
While the others continued the movie downstairs, John stayed in Kian's room. He stared at his phone, hesitant to call Nadia but he did.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey," he exhaled.
"Baby...I miss you," she said. "What are you up to?"
"Uh," he looks around. "I'm at the...Jones residence."
"Where?"
"Where that big party was. Vanessa Jones & Kian Lawley's house."
"Why are you there," Nadia inquired. "That's random."
"I'm kinda hiding out." He rubbed his forehead, feeling a faint pain of an impending headache.
"You choose there of all places? Babe...come over."
"Listen, there's things you don't know about that I don't wanna tell you just yet. Just trust me, okay? I'm fine over here and I'll see you tomorrow night, I'll pop by."
"Now I'm worried. Talk to me."
"I told you I will eventually."
"You know what, John? You've been really crappy lately. I know I stay busy with schoolwork and cheerleading but I'm still your goddamn girlfriend. Strangers know your business but your girlfriend is out of the loop? What kind of shit is that?"
"Nadia," he raises his voice. "Why can't you respect the fact that there are certain things I'm not ready to discuss?! It's always an argument. The brainiac has to know everything."
"Don't talk to me like that."
"What are you, my mother now? I'll see you tomorrow night, end of discussion."
He immediately hangs up, trying to control his anger. His body is sore and he pulls his bag closer to him, pulling out those pills. Usually he takes one, but tonight he was taking two. Nadia called back right before he put them in his mouth but he ignored the call.
. . . . .
After the movie, Kian and Lucy sat outside by the glowing pool. Kian looks up and sees the light turn off in the master bedroom.
"Aaaand they're asleep," he said, taking the joint out of his pocket to light up. He puffs twice and passes it to Lucy.
Lucy stares up at the night sky, hating how much light pollution Los Angeles has; how much pollution it has in general. But she goes into deeper thought, moving her feet around in the water as she sat on the edge.
"Kian," she asked. "What's the biggest mistake you've ever made?"
"Not something I like sharing," his grin fades. "But since it's you, and I like you...I was 15 and there was this girl named Henrietta. My friends would tease her about her name because it sounded old. I just laughed along, completely disregarding the fact that she was a very fragile person. Over time it got worse and they moved onto her appearance; her clothes and her skin condition. I didn't stop them, they were my friends and I had no one else, especially after my parents split. They just kept verbally abusing her until one day she decided to slit her wrists. Her sister found her in time and she was in the hospital. I went there, you know, to the hospital with flowers. But I was too much of a coward, I knew she'd hate me just for being a bystander. She transferred schools after that. Never saw her again and I can't even find her online anywhere. I just hope she's okay."
Lucy leaned over and kissed him. She took a puff and stared back at the sky.
"What about you," he asked her.
She already knew what her biggest mistake was. It was between getting an abortion, getting knocked up, or even being with Nate in the first place. But still...she wasn't ready to talk about that.
"Uh," she cleared her throat. "It's not as intense as yours but...when I was a freshman, I stole my dad's car to go to a party in the valley. His brand new Audi."
Kian laughed. "You knew how to drive?"
"Not really," she laughed too. "But this guy I used to know, Pierre, he was more than happy to drive it. The guy was like in his 20s."
"A 20-something year old guy hanging out with a high school freshman." Kian fakes a chill. "Can't say there's not something creepy about that."
"He didn't know I was a freshman. I used to try and look older a lot. We went to the party in the Valley. And on the drive back, my friends and I were drunk out of our minds. Pierre was high. It was a teen PSA waiting to happen. But instead of getting any tickets or spending nights in jail, I threw up all over the nice interior. We got back to my house and there was my dad...waiting. My friends along with Pierre they quickly fled as soon as they got out the car and I was punished severely. I could handle being grounded but what stuck is my dad having trust issues still. Put a bit of a dent on our father-daughter relationship."
"Damn, that sucks. But I can't say I'm not impressed."
. . . . .
In the middle of the night, John had snuck downstairs for a glass of milk. He was soon joined by Lucy who was still half asleep and craving water.
"Jesus," she gasped. "You scared me."
"Sorry," he replied quietly. "Can't sleep?"
"What was your first clue?" Lucy grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with water from the faucet which had a filter on it. While she took sips, she couldn't ignore the bruises on his bare torso. She reached out and gently touched one near his bellybutton. "Oh Swazz..."
"I know."
"Does Nadia know?"
"Nope. I'd like to keep it that way. She wants everyone to think we're picture perfect so I'll give her what she wants."
"Picture perfect is bullshit. You need all the help you can get." She refills her glass.
"And I will, once I tell my mother tomorrow over lunch."
"Ah yes, I could see it now. Hey Mom, Dad beats me. Enjoy your watercress salad, by the way."
"If only it were that easy. Tellin' a secret is never easy." John finishes his milk.
"Hm," she grinned. "I should know."
"How so?" He folded his arms.
"We all have secrets, Swazz. Mine...just happened to be inside me." She looked down, trying not to cry. But it already felt good to speak about it. "And I got rid of it."
Instead of asking questions and judging her, he hugged her as tight as he could without hurting himself. He knew Lucy was smart enough to eventually fight her own demons and the last thing she needed was pity, just like him.
"Your secret's safe with me," he told her.
. . . . .
John's mother sat before him with disbelief and pain in her eyes. She didn't want to believe it, not a single word. But he was her son and she stands behind him before anyone.
"Don't cry mom," he spoke quietly. "I just don't know what to do or where to go."
"Well where were you last night?"
"At a friend's."
His mother sighed. "I just don't understand how it got to this."
"Things got worse over time-"
"Does Nadia know?"
"No. Why does everyone keep asking me that?" His eyebrows knit together.
"You two have been together for a while, I figured she'd know and help somehow."
"I wanna leave her out of this."
"Sweetie...as long as you're safe." She places her hand on his.
"It's not about being safe anymore Mom, I want him out the house. He clearly doesn't wanna change! Who knows how long it'll be before you're next."
Her breath hitched. "It's not that easy, John."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," she nods. "He's...the breadwinner of the house. I can't kick him out of what he built...literally! He designed the house for Christ sakes. I'd have to be the one to leave and I'm afraid I don't even have enough money saved for that."
"Funny," John laughed. "No, really, where's all the money you always have to buy me stuff? My clothes, my football things, last minute gifts for Nadia..."
She lowers her head. "It all came directly from your father's pocket. I'm...just a housewife John. Do the math. As long as I keep you guys and the house in order, your father financially supports. So I can't just leave."
"And what about Grandma? We can stay with her."
"You can. There's not enough room for me," she shook her head.
"Mom," he shook his head. "She has 4 bedrooms and it's just her. Or...let me guess...too much pride, is it? Mom, sooner or later you're gonna have to cut that shit out and accept help when you need it."
"Is that what you tell yourself before you talk to Nadia?"
John leaned back in his chair, stumbling on his own words. It was just in time before the waitress approached their table.
. . . . .
Lucy and Vanessa were in Lucy's room, putting makeup on in the mirror while music plays in the background. Clothes were thrown everywhere seeing as how they shared clothes, especially when they're about to go out. New kid Nash Grier was throwing a party for the hell of it and wanted more than half the school to come.
"This kid is just copying our beginning-of-the-year party," Vanessa said as she applied mascara.
"I don't care, I just need to get out of the house," Lucy replied.
"Ladies hurry up," Kian shouted from downstairs. He was waiting with John.
"Oh shut up, bird chest!" Vanessa yelled back.
"Be nice," Lucy tried not to laugh.
"I'm glad you're cool with going though. I know Nate's gonna be there."
"And Cameron." Lucy blotted her lips.
"Are you gonna ask him about the pageant? You need someone to escort you and I know Kian hates pageants."
"I am, but tomorrow when we go to the mall. Did you ask Kalin?"
Vanessa blushed. "No...but I will. He'll be at the party too."
"Then it's game on."
. . . . .
"I can't do it." Vanessa was nervous, trembling in her ankle boots on the marble floor. She stared at Kalin across the room, laughing around with his friend Jaxon Howden. "Look at him, he looks so good in all black. And he needs to stop licking his lips, oh my goodness, help me Lucy."
"Just go over there," Lucy encouraged nonchalantly. "It's only Kalin. Kalin White who used to blind people with his braces."
"The glow-up is real though. Look at that jawline."
"Speaking of bone structure," Lucy rolls her eyes when she sees Gilinsky and Madison approaching them with their arms locked.
"What's up guys," Jack innocently speaks. "Haven't heard from you two in a while."
Vanessa takes huge sips of her drink, suddenly getting the courage to approach Kalin. "Likewise. Lucy, hold this. Pardon me."
Lucy takes Vanessa's drink. With a rush of anger masked by a layer of confidence, Vanessa struts her stuff over to Kalin & begins talking to him.
"Aww," Madison squeals. "They would make such a cute couple."
"Aww, I'm glad you think so!" Lucy mocked in the same tone causing Madison to quickly shoot her a glare.
"What do you think babe," Madison asked Jack.
"Uh," Jack looks Vanessa and Kalin up & down. He even gulps a bit when he sees her make Kalin laugh...and Madison notices. "Y-yeah, they're cute. Glad she's happy."
Lucy rolled her eyes yet again. "They're not even dating, loverboy."
"Not that it should matter," Madison mumbled through her teeth. She gently tugs on Jack's t-shirt, making him lean over and kiss her.
"Jesus," Lucy grimaced. "Take it outside or something."
Her disgust was thwarted when Kian finally rejoined her. Madison glared at Kian and he stuck his tongue out at her.
"Yo Jack," Kian said, smacking his gum. "Don't you turn 18 soon?"
"I'm already 18," he replied.
"Sweet," Kian clasped his hands together. "I can officially call you a pervert now."
"Babe," Lucy put her hand on Kian's chest & Madison had to do the same for Jack once he tensed up.
"You got a problem with me bro?" Jack spoke up.
"Always have...bro." Kian laughed as Madison dragged Jack away.
"You're such a troublemaker," Lucy tried not to laugh.
"Does it get you hot though?" He pulled her close to him by the waist.
"...Maybe," she bit her bottom lip.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Nash is entertaining other partygoers by mediating rounds of 'Flip Cup'. John is beating every contender, getting more drunk with every round.
"You sure you're good for another go, man?" Nash asked him.
"Pfft, fuck it— wait— alright dude, I'll go take a breather or somethin'," John slurred.
He stumbled out of the kitchen and through the party, holding onto walls. But he stands tall when he sees Andrea talking with Tiffany.
"I haven't even found a gown yet, have you?" Andrea asked her.
"I almost did. I had to drag Nate along with me yesterday and he helped me narrow it down to two," Tiffany responded.
"Aww, that's so cute! Wish I had a boyfriend to like, tell me I look pretty or some shit."
"I think you're pretty," John said as he drunkenly slips his arm around Andrea's waist.
"Uh, thanks," Andrea nervously chuckles, taking his arm from around her. "How much did you drink?"
"I have to be drunk to tell you I think you're pretty?"
"No but I hope it's the alcohol talking, considering you're in a relationship."
"...I'm gonna go find Nate," Tiffany said before quickly leaving them alone.
"Listen Andrea I only had like 3 beers," John explained. "But I didn't eat anything."
"Fair enough," she nodded.
Andrea took him by the hand and walked him over to the snack table. She spooned some fruit salad into a red Solo cup and started feeding him.
"Mmm," John hummed. "Fruit is so fuckin' good."
Andrea couldn't ignore how delicious he sounded when he said that. But she tries to stay focused.
"Here...more." She held the spoon in front of his mouth. "Open...say aah."
John laughed & opened his mouth. "Aah."
"That's it, easy does it," she laughed. "Never even thought about motherhood until now and I gotta say it's more amusing than appealing."
"Is there another pineapple in there?" John asked.
"Nope."
"Oh shit, they got melon slices," he says as he looks down at the platter. "Gimme."
"Just pick it up and eat it, dude."
"Nuh uh," he slowly shook his head. "You do it."
Andrea rolled her eyes and picked up a melon slice. She held it up and he took a bite...then another bite & another bite until he got close to her fingers where he licked the juice off. Andrea took deeper breaths and he took notice. Then he couldn't help himself. His hand softly graced her cheek and he pressed his lips to hers, she let him. They got so lost in each other; John hadn't felt this good in a while. They paused the kiss to look into each others eyes, fully entranced. It was almost magnetic.
Across the way, Lucy and Kian had witnessed the kiss. Lucy's eyebrows rose in shock. And they remained that way...when she turned to see a newly-arrived Nadia, staring at them as well. Nadia had a look across her face like her world just loudly shattered, because it did.
"Oh shit," Lucy quietly said to Kian. "I smell...drama in the air."
Kian got excited, taking a few more sips of his drink. He was tipsy and dying for a show.
"Iceberg! Right ahead!" Kian shouted just like the man from Titanic, accent & all.
It knocked John out of his trance and he immediately looked over at Kian. Kian nodded his head toward Nadia & gestured for him to run. But John was frozen solid. He knew Nadia had seen the kiss. Even Andrea cringed at what she had allowed to happen.
"N-Nadia let me explain," John said.
"That's what they all say," Nadia said as she continued to inch toward them. Her nerves were practically vibrating with adrenaline. "What are you gonna tell me, huh? That you're drunk? You're not you when you drink? It was an accident? You tripped and fell on her lips? What the fuck could you possibly have to explain?"
"It's just, yeah I'm drunk, so what? She's here and you haven't been. She's been helping me."
"Helping you with what? And you know that I tend to get busy, we talked about this. But I'm not a mind-reader!" Nadia's voice was now loud enough to get the attention of a few people.
"He's just going through some things right now," Andrea interjected.
"What! The fuck! Does that have to do with you kissing my boyfriend, you slut?!"
"Yo enough!" John yelled. "She's not a slut. I kissed her. If anything, call me the slut."
Nadia was about to cry but she knew a bunch of eyes were watching her every move. Suddenly she charged toward the table and grabbed a random abandoned drink. Then she threw it on John, causing some to gasp.
"Asshole!" She shouted. "I don't wanna talk to you ever again! You can have Andrea! I hope you two are happy together!"
It took a while for it to sink in for John. It wasn't enough that liquor was swirling in his bloodstream, now his dark grey button-up smelled like it too.
"Cool," he responded nonchalantly.
"Cool?" Nadia scoffed. "Wow." Her voice broke as she backed up & away. She didn't even leave to find a quiet place, she just left the party.
"Okay that wasn't as dramatic as I thought it would be," Kian said, breaking the tension in the area.
"Not now Kian," Lucy said.
"If not now, then when," he smiled.
She didn't get a chance to answer because he started tickling her. She let out a hearty giggle, telling him to stop when she didn't really want him to, and they ended up making out against the wall. Little did they know, Nate happened to see them from upstairs, and he had to disguise his true discomfort for the sake of Tiffany close by.
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