-Abbey’s POV-
I was dancing on the dance floor with Cassie and Teagan when I saw Charlie walking up the stairs with Ben. I laughed to myself, knowing exactly what could happen, not saying it will, but for all I know…
I was enjoying myself. I’m glad I came to see Charlie. I missed her so much, but we talked nearly every day of the weekthat we could. For which I was thankful. I don’t know what I would do without her.
I left Cassie and Teagan on the dance floor to get myself another drink. I was only on my third now. I found that Jack guy in the kitchen pouring him self a drink, and smiled sweetly.
“Hey,” he said shyly, “having fun?”
“Yeah, I really am. Most fun I’ve had in a while, honestleh” I smiled.
“Can I get you another drink?”
“Yeah, kindaa the reason I came in ‘ere” I replied. I watched has he walked over to the fridge to grab another bottle of coke. Not going to lie, he was attractive. He had nice eyes. From what I could tell from our earlier chat outside, a pretty good personality & a great taste in music too.. Too bad there weren’t more guys like him back home..
“Here..” he said as he passed me my drink. I accepted it an downed it almost too quickly.
“Keen on getting a bit drunk, are we?” He said, smirking.
“Onleh a li’l bit. I haven’t had a proper drink since before Charlie left.” I smiled, remembering the night we had with my family.
She had come over the Friday before my birthday. She was staying the weekend and we had spent all of Friday night, all of Saturday and half of Sunday, drunk off our tits. It was great. My family was great. England just isn’t right without Charlie.
“Come..” I was brought out of my thoughts by Jack holding his hand out to me.
“Where are we goin’?” I asked, discarding my cup.
“To dance!” He replied, happily. I smiled in return, took his hand and walked to the dance floor with him.
I started swaying to the beat, Jack behind me with his arms around my waist. It felt good. Male body contact. I was on my way to being drunk, but I was quite there yet.
-Charlie’s POV-
Half an hour later, we were still cuddled in bed in silence. It was nice. I’m glad that my first time had happened. I’m not too drunk, so I know my decision was mostly made with a clear mind. The alcohol may have egged me on a little, though. I’m also glad that I had done it with someone as fantastic as Ben. But where did this leave us? I guess the only thing I could do was:
A) Ask Ben.
B) See where things go from here.
I was opting for B. I’m not one to talk about feelings. I’m not really one to expect much from anyone. So if this was all that happened between us, then I guess that’s that.
“We should get dressed and go back downstairs…” I said softly, turning to face Ben. He was smiling. He kissed me softly, before getting out of the bed to get dressed.
I sat up and watched his naked arse walk around to collect his clothes. Not a bad view at all. I got out of bed and found my underwear and fishnets, put them on, before picking up and putting on my dress, socks and shoes.
“Nice ass” I heard from behind me as I bent to pick up one of my shoes to put it back on.
“I was just thinking the same about yours” I said, standing up and heading towards the floor length mirror to fix my hair.
When everything was in check, I foud my phone and walked over to the door, just as Ben finished doing up his vest and jacket.
“Ready?” I asked, and recieved a nod as confirmation.
I walked down the strairs with Ben trailing behind me. When we reached the bottom he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and walked towards the kitchen.
I walked through the body of people, looking for Abbey, and found her dancing with Jack. When she saw me she excused herself, came over to me, and we walked hand in hand to the kitchen to grab another drink.
“Sooo…. I saw yeh walkin’ up teh stairs with Ben. Care to spare any details?” Abbey asked. Of course she noticed that. I laughed and smiled, giving her an answer.
“OH MY GOD, YO-” I covered her mouth with my hand before she could finish and be heard.
“Yes, we did. No need to make a big deal out of it” I said shyly.
“Yes there is, you lost your virginity.. How was it?” She asked, whispering the last part.
“Yeah, well, it was bound to happen sometime.. And it was great..” I said, looking her in the eye. I could feel myself blushing. We both giggled, grabbing ourselves another drink from one of the fridges, and walked out onto the dancefloor.
-Abbey’s POV-
I was still dancing on the dance floor with Jack when I saw Charlie and Ben walk down the stairs. I watched curiously as Ben placed a sweet kiss on her cheek and walked off to the kitchen. I had had a few more drinks since she had walked up stairs with him, an hour or so ago. So now I was pretty drunk.
When I saw Charlie walking through the crowd of people, I excused myself from dancing with Jack, telling him I was going to go grab another drink with Abbey. He smiled and I walked away, smiling to myself. I met with Charlie and we walked hand in hand to the kitchen to grab another drink.
“Sooo…. I saw yeh walkin’ up teh stairs with Ben. Care to spare any details?” I asked. She laughed and smiled, giving me an answer.
“OH MY GOD, YO-” She covered my mouth with her hand before I could finish and be heard.
“Yes, we did. No need to make a big deal out of it” She said shyly.
“Yes there is, you lost your virginity.. How was it?” I asked, whispering the last part.
“Yeah, well, it was bound to happen sometime.. And it was great..” She replied, looking me in the eye, blushing. We both giggled, grabbing ourselves another drink from one of the fridges, and walked out onto the dancefloor.
My mind instantly went back to Jack. He was great. And I wanted to dance some more with him. I looked over the heads of everyone, but couldn’t find him. I looked through the gaps in the crowd and spotted Cassie and Teagan sitting on a couch on the opposite side of the room, leaning on each other.
“Hey, Charlie, come sit with Cassie and Teagan with me..” I said, grabbing her arm and walking through everyone.
We reached Cass and Teagan and sat down with them. My feet were sore. These shoes were ridiculous. I took them off, glad to be free of the evil things.
“You guys look pooped. Have you had fun?” Charlie asked the two girls, who looked half asleep.
“Meeeeeeermm I’m, plasteredded” Cassie managed to get out, sighing. She had tons to drink tonight, she was back in the kitchen nearly every 15 minutes. It was 12:34am, so you could imagine her state. We’d only been here just over four hours. I was starting to get tired.
“When are we leaving?” Teagan asked, yawning, “I’m tired.”
“Uhm.. ask Cassie.. us girls are leaving with her. Jack and Ben are going back to Jack’s place” Charlie said, blushing slighlty after mentioning Ben’s name. No one else noticed but me.
I looked back into the crowd and saw Jack and Ben making their way through to us. I smiled seeing them both.
“Hey girls, apparently there is going to be awards for best costumes.” Ben said.
“Yeah, we were talking to one of the older guys here and they said there was going to be male and female, group, couple and laziest costumes. Winners are going to be announced around one.
“Sounds like fun!” I said, and the girls nodded.. apart from Cassie.. who was practically asleep.
“I’ll get us all another drink this.. Apart from Cassie.. she’s wasted” Ben said, saying “wasted” in a high pitch. He left with Jack following behind him.
“I wonder who will get best female and best male” Teagan said, sitting up straight.
“And who would get laziest. All the costumes ‘ere are rad.” Charlie said.
“Only one way to find out. How long til one?” Teagan asked.
“About 15 minutes.” Charlie replied.
Ben and Jack returned with a drink for us all, and we all sat on the couch watching everyone dance for the next 15 minutes…
Do what you will, you wont be able to stop me writing. Ask me anything
After peeing and washing my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror. I noticed the visible changes. I now had meat on my bones. I didn’t have any cuts or bruises. I had no broken bones, and my hair had grown considerably.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and opened the bathroom door, only to have Bens lips crash down onto mine as he pushed me back into the bathroom, closed and locked the door all within a matter of seconds.
Two things were running through my mind at this point.
1) Ben was kissing me. The guy I had a crush on was freaking kissing me.
2) I was fucking enjoying. Ain’t no bitch gonna stop me.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close, all the while still backing me towards the sink counter.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and tangled my hands in his hair. Ben’s tongue slipped into my mouth and I moaned into the kiss.
He then grabbed me by the arse and liften me onto the bathroom counter. I wrapped my legs around him, bringing him closer.
He pulled away from my lips and headed for my neck, kissing and nibbling softly, causing me to moan again. I heard him chuckle as he came back up to kiss me again.
“Can we… take this… to a bedroom?… I’m sure… your arse is getting sore..” Ben said between kisses.
I nodded and we stopped kissing. I jumped off the counter and fixed up my dress which had come up a little bit. Ben unlocked the door and we walked across the hall and opened another door leading to a bedroom with a queen sized bed in the middle.
“This is nice..” I said, walking over to the bed as Ben locked the door.
“Mmmm, it could be nicer..” He said, backing me up to the bed and kssing me again. I fell onto it and Ben was now bent over me, between my legs.
I could hear the music from downstairs, pumping away loudly. I could also feel Ben’s hard member pressing into my thigh as we made out.
He climbed further onto the bed and leant against the headboard. I climbed ontop, straddling him, grinding against his hard length. we both moaned simultaneously. I moved from Ben’s lips to his neck, nibbling and sucking, earning a moan from him.
Suddenly I was flipped over, and he was on top of me with my legs wrapped around him. He ran his hand up my leg, massaging my thigh, before grinding his hips into mine.
By this point, I was panting and I could feel I was practically as wet as a swimming pool by now. So I decided to do something about it.
My hands went straight for his belt buckle, undoing it as quickly as I could and un zipping his pants.
He stopped kissing me to look at me, smirking and then pulling his pants all the way off. I arched my back as he put his arm around to undo my dress and I helped him pull it off over my head. I was left in my underwear, socks and fishnets, as Ben removed his multipule tops.
He leant over me and placed a soft, passionate kiss on my lips, tracing his fingers across my stomach and down towards my wetness.
I moaned as he put pressure against my clit through my underwear.
I moved my hands down to my waist and started to remove my fishnets. Ben stopped and allowed me to pull them all the way off, along with my cute little black and pink socks.
As soon as they were off he was back between my legs, grinding his hard cock against me, making me moan, wanting more.
“Are you a virgin?” Ben asked, kissing me softly.
“Y-yes” I panted back. He was still grinding against me.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he whispered into my ear, biting my earlobe, make me shiver and moan.
“Yes” I moaned. He took this as the green light to go. He pulled my thong down my legs slowly, teasingly. I whimpered a little. I wanted this to happen, and I wanted it to happen now.
He came back up and kissed me, placing his hand between my legs and slowly rubbing circles on my clit. He then pushed a finger inside of me, slowly, and then pulling it out again. He did this a few more times before pushing another finger into me making me moan into the kiss.
Ben removed his lips from mine and trailed down to my breast. I arched my back to his touch, he slid his free hand under my back and unclasped my bra, removing it. He soon after covered my nipple with his mouth, causing me to arch my back and moan again.
“Jesus chriiistttt” I panted. Ben stopped fingering me and removed his mouth from my nipple and leant over the bed to grab something out of his pants pocket. A condom. I’m glad he came prepared, because I sure as hell hadn’t.
Ben then pulled down his boxers to reveal his large, hard, cock. I gulped. This was surely going to hurt.
He removed his boxers and discarded them on the floor beside the bed. Ben leant over and kissed me, his cock rubbing against my wetness, making me moan again. He opened the condom wrapper and slid the condom onto his erect penis.
Ben placed himself at my entrance. I was nervous. I’d never done ANYTHING like this before. Ever. Never even kissed a guy. Well, I had, but it was in preschool.
“Are you ready?” He asked, looking me in the eyes. I bit my lip nervously, and then nodded.
“Yes” I said back.
Ben slowly pushed himself into me. I whimpered and gripped the sheets. It hurt. But it’s meant to when you first do it, right? We both groaned as he pushed himself fully into me.
“Are you okay?” I couldn’t believe how caring he was being.
“Yeah.. I think so.. I think I just need teh adjust… Keep goin’.” I replied, shakily.
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t feel comfortable, you know..” He said back.
“No, I want this, keep goin’.” I said, and he obeyed, pulling out slowly and thrusting back in again, gently. He did this a few more times before I finally started feel comfortable and the pain had subsided.
“Ben, harder.. go harder..” I moaned, and he did so. I tightened my grip on the sheets. This was good. It didn’t hurt anymore, it was now pleasurable. I guess now I just had to find the way I liked it the best.
Ben ground his pelvis against mine, putting pressure on my clit. I moaned loudly and my toes curled. I let go of the sheets and wrapped me legs around Ben to bring him closer.
“Do that again” I whispered into his ear, before biting his neck earning a slight moan from him.
He did so, and I moaned and scratched down his back, causing him to do it again.
“Ben, oh god, Ben, please harder, haarrrderr” I moaned as he thrusted even harder into me, grinding against me yet again.
“Holy fucking shit, fuuuck,” Ben said, moaning the last ‘fuck’.
I ground into him, meeting his thrusts. I had never felt such an amazing feeling in my life, ever. Not even when I masturbate. This was just, wow.
Ben started thrusting harder and faster, causing me to moan and I started to feel my climax slowly building.
“Ben, stop… I.. I want to go on top..” I said, shyly. And he did so and smiled.
“Alright,” He smiled, and pulled out of me.
He layed down on the bed and I climbed over him, stradling him before guiding his cock to my entrance again. I slid down him.
I slowly started rocking against him. This was better than before. He placed his hands on my hips and dug his nails into my skin, causing me to go faster.
My climax was starting to build up, faster this time, and I moaned with every thrust.
“Ben.. Ben I think I’m going to come..” I said, throwing my head back. He started grinding, meeting my thrusts.
“I think I’m going to as well..” We went faster, he pushed into me harder. The feeling was fantastic. My climax was building, and I could tell Ben’s was too, he was starting to shake a little.
Finally, one last thrust and I moaned long and loud, my walls tightening against his cock, my orgasm taking over me. Ben came as well, still thrusting into me, riding out his orgasm. I shuddered and collapsed ontop of Ben.
I was breathless, panting. That was better than I thought it would be. I rolled off Ben, allowing him to remove the used condom. He got up and discarded it in the bin in the corner of the room.
I lay silently in the bed, still trying to catch my breath. He walked back over and climbed into the bed next to me, scooting over and cuddling me.
I just lost my virginity.
The party was going off by the time we arrived. The house was huge, and you could hear the music from outside, the bass pumping, kids littering the front lawn beyond the gates.
Never in my life had I seen this amount of people in a yard. Apart from school. But that’s different.
We found Jack, Ben & Teagan at the front of the gates, waiting patiently for us to arrive.
“Hi guys! How long have you been waiting?” I asked, hugging each of them.
“Not long, 5 minutes, maybe” Teagan replied.
Jack was dressed as the Joker from Batman and Ben was dressed as the Mad Hatter.
“Way to ruin the theme, Jack” Cassie stated, laughing.
“I couldn’t find a good Alice costume, Ben stole the only good male one…” he trailed off, glaring at Ben.
“No, I just got in first, is all, you moron” Ben replied, smirking.
Jack then turned his gaze to Abbey, who was standing next to me holding my hand, and then back to me, giving me a questioning look.
“OH! Guys, this is Abbey! She’s my best friend from England!” I said, introducing Abbey to the guys and Teagan. They exchanged hellos and then we headed towards the house. As we walked inside there were even more people in the living room dancing to the deafening music.
We all walked through the large mass of bodies to the kitchen where there were 4 kegs of beer, 3 bottles of Jack Daniels, 3 bottles of vodka, 2 and a half bottles of Jim Beam sitting on the countertop. There were two fridges, one full of various cans of even more alcohol that had been labeled with names signifying that they actually belonged to someone. The other fridge was full of coke and lemonade and some more various alcoholic beverages and a few jelly shots.
All of us placed our drinks in the fridges, grabbed a jelly shot each, ate them, and reused our plastic jelly shot cups to do a shot of vodka each before grabbing one of our own drinks and venturing off.
Teagan went off and disappeared onto the dance floor, Cassie following close behind. Ben and Jack walked towards what looked like the back door, leaving Abbey and I alone in the kitchen.
“I can’t believe you’re here” I practically shouted over the music. The music playing was different to what was on when we arrived. It was Longview, by Green Day. I started bopping to the tune, not like it was a dancey song.
“I know, niether can I. I’ve been looking forward to coming for so long. There were some times when we were on the phone that I nearly told you, but I wanted to suprise you.” She said, smiling and hugging me. I nuzzled into her neck. I had missed her a shitload.
I pulled out of the embrace and sighed, finishing my drink. I needed to have more, I wanted to dance. I wanted to feel free. I was happy, for the moment. But all I wanted to do was let loose. And tonight was the beginning.
I walked over to the counter, grabbed a plastic cup, poured myself some vodka, grabbed an open bottle of coke out of one of the fridges and poured it into my cup. Abbey walked over and did the same.
“Cheers!” I said loudly, raising my cup to my mouth and downed half my drink in a few seconds.
I grabbed Abbey’s hand again and walked out the same way I had seen Ben and Jack go. We found them over by the fire. As we approached, Jack looked over and waved at us. Ben had his back to us, but as soon as Jack waved, he turned around to see who he was waving at. They were standing with a bunch of guys I recognised from school.
“Hey guys!” I said loudly. The music was still pretty loud out here.
“Hey Charlie, Abbey.. This is Tom and Jason. They’re both in my english class” Jack introduced us. I waved shyly.
Jason had dark hair and lovely blue eyes, average hight, and an almost childishly cute smile. Tom was Taller, about 6 foot, dark hair also, but green eyes and a muscular build. My guesses were he was on the football team.
Abbey and I stayed close together as the boys talked about music and movies and cars and all that crap. I looked around and then down into my drink, noticing it was almosy empty.
“Hey, I’m just going to go grab another drink, want one?” I said to Abbey.
“Nah, I’m fine, I still have more than half left.”
“I’ll come with, I’ve been empty for a while” Ben said, and we walked back towards the house.
When we got to the kitchen, I discarded my cup and grabbed on of my cans from out of one of the fridges as well as a jelly shot.
I scooped the jelly out of the plastic shot glass cup thing and ate it. I discarded the plastic shot glass and opened my can of Jim Beam and leant against the counter.
This party was whack. All the costumes, hair styles, the decorations, the music, the people, it was just, I was in awe. We never really had anything this big back in England and even if we did, I was never invited, or allowed to go.
“So, what do you think?” Ben asked, causing me to jump a little.
“Oh, well, I’ve never been to anehthing this big, so I’m rather impressed. Happeh that I came, and a bit miffed about wearing something so skimpeh” I said loudly, over the music. There was a Lady GaGa song playing, and through the crowd of people, I could see Teagan and Cassie dancing together.
“Oh really? I think you look great” I blushed a little bit at that. “I take it you weren’t much of a social animal, then?” Ben asked.
“Yeah, pretteh much. I was considered a bit of a freak back in England at my old school. But I ‘ave changed a bit since I moved here. It’s far too hot to be wearing too much black and so make up.” I said, remembering how much black I used to wear, and if I wore it here, I’d prolly have heat stroke.
I sipped at my can, leaning against the counter.
“Well change is good. Fancy a dance?” Ben asked, smirking.
“Uhm, well, I’m not much of a dancer, in fact, I don’t dance. Never have, and these shoes, I’ll breake my ankle or somefin’.” I rambled on.
“Oh come on, you can’t be that bad, besides, you can always take your shoes off if your feet get that bad” Ben said, pulling me to the dance floor, despite my protesting.
We got to the dance floor and i just stood there, rather awkwardly. I was no where near tipsy and I honestly don’t think I would dance even then.
I downed the rest of my can and motioned to Ben that I was going to grab another. He followed me to the kitchen again, found some shot glasses and pured us some Jack Douglass shots. We did 3 each, and I was finally feeling a bit tipsy.
I poured a new drink of Jack and coke, so I could give it to Abbey, and grabbed another one of my cans out of the fridge. I walked outside to see Abbey deep in conversation with Jack, Tom and Jason.
I took a moment to take her in. Her short blonde and purple hair had grown an inch or two, the purple was now joined by pink, I’m guessing to go with her outfit. She looked as if she had put on a bit of weight, which was good. She was nearly boarderline anorexic before I left. I had also put on weight, now that I was being practically starved every day and night.
I walked over and joined the circle and handed Abbey her drink.
“Thanks” she whispered to me, placing a wuik peck on my cheek.
I hadn’t noticed, but Ben had also come out. He placed an elbow on my shoulder, leaning on me.
I looked up at him questioningly, and he smirked back.
Being the smartarse that I was, I moved quickly out from under his elbow, he lost balance and fell on his side. We all started laughing hysterically.
“Oh yeah, REAL funny Charlie, real funny” Ben laughed as he stood back.
“Oh my god, haha, that was so good Charlie, his face as he fell, HAHA.” Abbey laughed, holding her sides. I high fived her and then Jack. I hadn’t noticed the Tom and Jason had left the circle.
“Oh dear lord, that was hilarious. Now yeh know not to use meh as a leaning post” I stated, still laughing.
“Yeah, well, lets see how you like it when I throw you in the pool” he said back. I immediatly stopped laugh and put on a serious face.
“That will not be happenin’, Benjamin, if you know what is good for yeh.” I replied, smirking.
“Oh really? We’ll see about that. I’m watching you Charlie. I’d watch your back if I were you” He said, trying be serious, but failing and letting slip a small laugh.
“Whatever, lets go inside and get more to drink.” I said, walking off, followed by Abbey.
We walked back into the house once again, grabbed some more jelly shots, did somre shots of vodka and I grabbed another can frmo the fridge whilst Ben and Jack poured themselves a beer from one of the kegs.
I’m not going to lie, whoever’s party this was, they really knew how to throw a good one. They also must be older than 21, to get their hands on this amount of alcohol.
I felt myself being pulled towards the dance floor once again, this time by Cassie. We’d been here for two hours, maybe two and a bit. It was 10:48pm when I looked at my phone, which I had hidden in my bra to keep it safe.
I gave up on not dancing, and started moving my hips to the beat of the music. Not long after, Teagan and Abbey came over and started dancing with Cassie and I. I was having fun. I was happy. But my can was near empty. I was drinking quickly. Was it three cans gone already? Or two? How many shots? I don’t know, I can’t remember. All that mattered was that I was having fun, and wanted another drink.
I walked over to the kitchen, only to have Ben hand me another drink.
“You should slow down, you’ve had a lot to drink.” he said over the loud music.
“Trust me, I can drink a fair bit before I fall, I should be good for a bit after this one” I replied, smiling at him. He was looking me straight in the eye. It was a strange look, one I didn’t quite understand. His green eyes boring into mine.
I looked away nervously and turned to walk away, only to have Ben grab me by the arm and dragged me upstairs. Just when I realized I needed to pee, aswell.
“Uh, Ben, I need to use the bathroom.” I said, stopping the hallway.
“Uhhh.. well, I don’t know where one is.. never been here before. Lets have a look…” He trailed off, walking down the hall and opening every door.
Finally, we found the bathroom, and I excused myself.
-Charlie’s POV-
Today was the day of the trial. It had gone swimmingly. My parents were charged and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and then another 12 months probation. They also had to pay out a good $10,000 to me. I enjoyed it immensely.
I was glad to have the trial over so quickly, because tonight was the Halloween party that had been spread like a disease around school.
It was a day early, only because this year Halloween was on a Sunday. How exciting! I’ve never been to a Halloween party. I wonder what it’ll be like? It sounds like its going to be a good night. I wonder who’s house its al? Would it be okay if we rocked up? What if they kicked us out?! WHAT IF THE PARENTS WEREN’T HOME?! WHAT IF SOMEONE DIED?!
My mind was overflowing with questions. I had started sweating and I started hyperventilating.. I think I was starting to have a panic attack or something. It took Cassie a couple of minutes to try and calm me the fuck down. Lucky she’s done it before.
“Where is your mum? She’s been out since she dropped me home” I asked Cass.
“Oh uhm.. She’s gone out to see some relatives… Don’t worry, she said she’d be back in time to take us all to the party. Which reminds me, I need to call Ben, Jack and Teagan to see when they’ll be getting there…” she trailed off and walked out of the room, leaving me to watch some lame kiddy show on tv.
-Cassie’s POV-
I walked off leaving Charlie in the lounge. Biggest lie of my life EVER. Well, not completely. I was actually going to call mum to see where she was at. She had gone to see relatives, but they’re only like, a neighbourhood away. And I had already called Ben and Jack earlier. They would be arriving at the party at around 8.
I dialled my mums number and waited for her to pick up.
“Helllo??” My mum answered. I’m guessing she’s using hands free.
“Heyy mum, its Cass. Where are you?” I questioned.
”I’m still at Uncle Pauls house. I’ll be leaving shortly”
”Good, don’t forget its at 7” I looked at the clock, it was 6:30 now.
“Yes yes, I remember. I wont forget” She replied.
“Alright, I’ll see you in a few” I replied and hung up.
I walked back out to the lounge and watched tv with Charlie.
”Soo what time will Ben and that be there?” She asked, half interested, but still focused on the tv.
“Oh, they said they’d be there at 8, and would wait for us if we weren’t there by then.” I replied.
”Sweeet… we should get ready”
-Charlie’s POV-
After Cass got off the phone to Ben or Jack or whoever, we got ready. I didn’t feel overly comfortable in my costume. To be honest, it was short. VERY short. But Cassie kept reminding me that it was one night and then we’re taking them back to the costume shop. So I guess I can deal with it. It took us at least an hour minutes to eat, get dressed, do our own hair and make up and be completely ready for when Cassie’s mum came home. She’d been out for a rather long time. Who on earth would want to spend this much time with relatives? I thought to myself. I guess everyone is different though, mine were all wankers.
I was sitting with Cassie in her room when I heard her mum’s car pull up and turn off. We walked out to the living room as Sandra (Cassies’s Mum) walked in. When she saw us she complimented our outfits, and teased about how we would be picking up all the hotties tonight. Not gonna she, she was a rad mum. I wish she were my own.
I turned to walk into the kitchen when I heard someone clear their throat. I turned to look towards the front door, and started crying once I saw who was standing there.
Abbey.
Abbey, my best friend from England.
Abbey, my best friend from England, standing in the door way of Cassie’s house.
Abbey, my best friend from England, standing in the door way of Cassie’s house, with the biggest ever grin on her face.
So I ran at her and basically tackled her to the ground. I missed this woman so so sooo much. How the hell did she get here?! I looked up at Cassie and Sandra. Sneaky fuckers.
I got off Abbey and helped her up and hugger her again, still crying. I was so fucking happy right now.
“HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET HRE?! I THOUGHT YOU COULDN’T COME?! I THOUGHT YOUR MUM SAID SHE COULDN’T AFFORD IT?!” I may have shouted/squealed the questions.
“Whoa whoa whoa, cool ya jets woman.” She said excitedly.
“The day you called me, Cassie found me via facebook, I guess she was trynna snoop out who I was.. But anyway, I had already asked mum and she had already said yes. But Cassie started talking to me and we got chatting and we decided, what better way for you to celebrate your 18th, than to have a super special surprise? That surprise, obviously involved me lying and what not.. But it was worth it right?” She grinner at me.
I was so fucking happy. I was over the fucking moon. Two and a half months without seeing this woman and I though I was going to go insane. But she was here now. I am sane again. I feel better than I have, even since my parents got arrested.
“Fuck yeah it was worth it!!” I half sobbed. I was calming myself down. Hell yeah. Best friend. Party tonight. Birthday tomorr-
“Wait, are you coming with us to the party?” I asked, curiously.
“Hell yeah I am! But I needa get changed..” she trailed off, looking at Cassie and myself..
“Oh yeah.. Come on. My room is this way” And all three of us ventured off to my room. Yes, that’s right, I have my own room in my friends house. It was a spare, but it was empty.
“So, Abbey..” I said, still very, very excited that she was here.. “What will you be wearing tonight?”
“Oh, well, I decided I’d wear this..” She pulled a costume out of her suitcase.
“Oh my. Its perfect. I’m guessing Cassie also told you about our little group theme?”
”She sure did”
And with that, Cassie and I helped do Abbey’s make up and hair, ready for a fucking mad night out.
I walked through the front door hoping to god that mom and dad weren’t home.
I guess I hadn’t hoped enough. Though I suppose I was kinda lucky. Only mum was home.
“Whereee ‘ave yooou -hiccup- bin?” My mother slurred. She was wasted.
“Out. With friends.” I stated and started walking back up the stairs.
“Not sooooo fast” She slurred again. She got up and stumbled over to me, staring daggers into the back of my head. I couldn’t see her yet, but I could sure as hell feel it.
“What?” I asked impatiently, turning to look at her. All I wanted to do was go to bed. I was tired from walking around all day with Cassie and everyone else. My mind was still questioning the meaning of the look Ben had given me before we left the mall. But I guess now that can wait..
“Whooo said -hiccup- you could gooo ouuutt? - hiccup- I don’t remembberer saying you could” This was ridiculous. She was at work when I went out, like I was gonna ask? Like I EVER ask if I can go out?
“You were at work…” SMACK. Mother fucker. I stumbled backwards a bit. “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?!” I screamed at her as I steadied myself.
“Attitude” She stated simply.
“What fucking attitude?” I yelled.
I was getting really sick of this bullshit. I think tonight will be the night I call the cops. I think tonight is the beginning of a new life. Yeah. Tonight. I’m not going to stand for this any longer. I can’t. I’ll go insane if I stay. Cassie said her mum wouldn’t mind, right?
She took another step towards me.
“THAT FUCKING ATTITUDE!” she screamed in my face. I could smell the vodka. I backed up.
“What the FUCK did I ever do to deserve this fucking kind of treatment, huh?! WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO?! I DON’T HAVE SHIT GRADES, I DO EVERYTHING YOU FUCKING WANT ME TO. I’VE NEVER, EVER, DONE ANYTHING TO HURT YOU. So, what did I do mum? What did I do? What kind of fucking parent hits and abuses their only fucking child for no FUCKING REASON” I was in tears now, and could hardly even get the last part out. I didn’t deserve this. I’d never done anything wrong, so fuck her.
“DON’T YOU YELL AT ME LIKE THAT, YOU UNGREATFUL LITTLE WHORE. I BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD, AND ALL YOU’VE EVER DONE IS GET IN THE FUCKING WAY. YOU’RE THE WORST FUCKING MISTAKE OF MY LIFE.”
Oh snap.
I think I just felt bullets go through every major organ in my body.
So my reaction?
SMACK. I puched her in the face with all my might, which, mind you, wasn’t much.
She stumbled backwards a bit and fell to the ground. Without a second thought I went up to my room, packed up a few essentials (make up, clean clothes, ipod and laptop) and dailed a number into my phone. I waited for the other end to pick up, which was almost insant.
—
That night, I had called the police and reported my parents for child abuse. My dad had shown up 15 minutes later, noticing mum knocked out cold on the floor, and as he raised his fists to hit me, the police showed up. Silly dad had left the front door open, so, police being police, arrested him on the spot. Good timing? I think so.
The cops asked me if I had anywhere to stay the night, as they had to take my parents into custody. I told them my friend Cassie said I’d always be welcome at hers, so I would stay there. They told me I would have to come down to the cop shop in the for now to take photos as evidence. Yes, I was going to sue. I wanted those fuckers’ money. Cunts deserved it for what they have done to me for the past.. how ever many years.
So thats what happened. My parents were taken into custody. I called Cassie and told her what happened, and told her that she would need to pick me up from the cop shop in an hour or two, after I’d given my statement and photos of evidence.
They let me go after only being there an hour, and Cass and her mum were waiting for me just outside the interview room.
I smiled bleakly at them.
“OH MY GOD, CHARLIE!!! ARE YOU OKAY!!?” Cassie basically shouted at me as she ran over to hug me.
“I think I’ll live..” I trailed off, hugging her back. “Can we go? I’m exhausted. Its been a long and shitty day” Cassie nodded and we walked out to the car, and drove back to Cassie’s place.
And that brings me to where I am now. Its been three days, and I have never felt so fucking good in my LIFE. I had a few phone calls from the police telling me when the trial date would be and what not. It would be in two days. So I got off school. Bonus.
It had been a week and a half since my little break down with Cassie. Needless to say, she had told the others, and I still hadn’t done anything about it. The words she had said to me still went through my mind every day. I hated my parents. Even more after the most recent bruises I had recieved two nights ago after coming home from work. Yep. My stomach was purple and yellow and it hurt to bend, sometimes it hurt to breath if I was sitting the wrong way. None of my friends enjoyed seeing me in pain. But I assured them everything would be alright.. I hoped.
I had decided to call Abbey the morning of the day after my chat with Cassie. But it wasn’t news I wanted to hear. She had told me that her mom couldn’t afford to send her over here, I had offered to pay part of it but she just wouldn’t have it. Great. ANOTHER birthday ruined.
But I tried to look on the brightside. Sooner or later, I would be out of here, in my own house, away from this hell. But still, life sucked. And seeing as my birthday was in a week, I was starting to think things couldn’t get any worse. And in ways, I guess it was true.
During the week word had gotten around school that there was a huge Halloween party happening at some girls house who none of us had even heard of. But apparently it was the happening thing. And besides, its my birthday the same night, why not rock up and have a fucking good time. I wouldn’t let the fact Abbey couldn’t come see me drag me down. I’d get over it and I’d see her some other time. Maybe over christmas.
So here I am. Sitting in a costume hire store in the mall. We’d been looking around for hours. It was a saturday so the shops were pretty packed. Especially since it was a week before Halloween and people were still preping for parties and trick or treating. Not that I minded, it was a good distraction, but my feet had started to hurt. I think this is the first time I’ve been able to sit down for about two hours
I was texting Abbey telling her I would pay part of her trip but she just kept refusing. It was starting to make me really upset. I was torn from my phone as I heard Cassie and Teagan talking about next weekend.
“Hey what about these?” Cassie asked Teagan. I looked over. She was holding three.. Well.. I guess you could say they were costumes. They looked like the kind of thing that shouted “HEY LOOK AT ME I’M 18 AND WANNA ROOT EVERYONE” To men the age of 30+ driving as you’re walking down the street.
“Oh shit yes! They’re perfect” Teagan grinned, turning to me.
“You don’t honestly expect me to wear one of them?! I’ll look like a hooker trynna pick up old men who have fetishes for kids shows!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah. You’re wearing it. You haven’t got a choice. Besides, everyone will be wearing something slutty” Cassie stated. I sighed. Okay, they weren’t that bad, and it was for only one night, so it couldn’t hurt, could it?
“Okaay fiiiiine. Which one?” I asked. Now that I think about it. It’ll be fun.
Cassie made Ben and Jack stand up holding the costumes so we could choose one each. I chose the Queen Of Hearts costume. Cassie chose the Mad Hatter costume and Teagan was left with the Alice costume. She was pleased. She wanted it anyway.
So that was that. FOOD TIME. I was s hungry. I hadn’t even had time to have breakfast as I over slept a little bit.. Okay maybe an hour and a half. But hey. I was so engulfed in the book I was reading I hadn’t checked the time until it was 3 in the morning.
We ventured off to a cafe situated on the other side of the mall. We ordered cake and coffee and started having a conversation about the upcoming weekend.
“So Charlie have you ever been to a Halloween party before?” Jack asked, sipping his mug of coffee.
“Uhm, no, I haven’t. I was never allowed to do anything of the sort back home. No parties. Not even my own. So I was kinda left out of everything.” I said. “I think the last party I went to was when I was 12. And it was Abbey’s.” i stated. Trying to remember.
“Jesus. That was 6 years ago!” Jack replied. I just gave him a ‘No shit Sherlock’ look and sipped my coffee. It was still hot so I placed it down. I looked over at Ben, and then back at Jack and realized they hadn’t hired a costume.
“Hey what are you guys wearing?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as I looked between the two of them.
“Well I was thinking I’d go as a zombie. No costume needed. Just rip a few shirts and some red paint and I’m all good.” Jack said. I rolled my eyes. Typical male laziness. I turned to Ben. Oh god. He was smiling. It was adorable.. No, Charlie, don’t let it be noticed. He doesn’t like you, okay?
“And you?” I said, narrowing my eyes and raising and eyebrow
“I’m going to wear my birthday suit” He chuckled. I looked at him confused. Then it clicked.
“EWWWW” I basically shouted, laughing that it had taken me a while to figure it out.
“Yeah, Ben, not the best idea if you don’t want to be charged for indecent exposure” Cassie stated.
“Yeah but no one would report me. Everyone loves my sexy body.” he said, wriggling his eyebrows at us girls and we all snorted and laughed at his cockiness.
“Yeah right! You haven’t had a root OR girlfriend in four months!” Jack exclaimed.
“Thats not my fault! Girls are just too slutty for my liking these days! I don’t want any diseases!” he retorted. “Besides, I’ve has my eye on someone for some time now” He stated cooly. I froze a little as he looked my way, his eyes staring intently at me.
I looked down at the table. He wasn’t talking about me. He couldn’t be talking about me. Its impossible for him to be talking about me… wasn’t it? Yeah. Impossuble. He was probably talking about someone else from school or outside of school.
Either way, it was NOT me.. Only in my dreams.
“OI Charlie!” I was shaken from my thoughts to find everyone else standing and ready to go.
“Oh, sorry. Got lost in my train of thoughts” I got up. Still a bit dazed. Don’t get your hopes up, Charlie, I told myself as we left the mall, costumes in hand, not looking forward to returning home.
October. I’d been here for two months. Spring. My birthday, the day of Halloween.
I had gotten a job about two weeks after we moved, at Hallmark Gift cards in a local plaza. Wasn’t my ideal job, but I was glad to get away from everything at home. My parents said they were also glad to be rid of me most evenings. It didn’t stop the beatings when I was home though.
I wasn’t getting paid much. About $10.20 an hour and I worked 4 evenings a week and during the day on a Sunday. Ever since I started working, I’d started saving. I wanted to leave my parents behind. I wanted to escape. I needed out, and I needed out soon.
-
“Yeah, I miss you too” I sighed into the phone. I was talking to Abbey. I had decided to get up early one morning before school to call her, as it would be around afternoon of in England. It was true, I missed her like crazy. I know I had Cassie and Teagan and Ben and Jack, but I still wanted Abbey back.
“You should come visit, or maybe I could come visit. California sounds incredible.” And it truly was. I was loving the weather in summer. But I was enjoying the cooler days and nights of Autumn more. It reminded me of home. It reminded me of Abbey. A place and a person I missed insanely.
“Yeah, well maybe for my birthday you should fly over, I’m sure your mum would let you? I think you’d love it. I also think you’d love my friends…” Not going to lie, I had started having a little crush on Ben. I kept it to myself easily, but I couldn’t help it, he was incredibly good looking. And those cute dimples when he smiled at me…
“Hello? HEELLLLLOO EARTH TO CHARLIE!!!” This frightened me a little and I nearly dropped my phone.
“Say what?” I asked.
”I SAID, What are you doing for your birthday anyway? You haven’t done anything since we were 13.” She stated. And it was true. Most of the people I had been friends with had either moved away or turned into total sluts. Oh how I loved my life..
“Nothing, as of yet, its still 2 and a half weeks away.. I don’t really want to do anything seeing as if I did, it would just be me, you, Teagan, Cassie, Ben and Jack..” I trailed off.
”So? The fact you’d only have 6 people around doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time! Maybe we could go trick or treating, dressed like sluts?! OR Maybe there will be some Halloween parties you could go to. Maybe you could try your like with Ben, eyy?” Did I mention she was the only person I had told? I sighed. I doubt ANYTHING would happen between us. He was showing any sighs of it, so I just let it go.
“I doubt it” I said. “Anyway, I need to get ready for school. I’ll call you tomorrow? You should ask if you can fly over. I miss you a shit load” I sighed.
“I’m sure I can convince mom, she loves me and she loves you so, it should be easyyyy” She said. We said our goodbyes and hung up, got dressed, and left for school. It was a cold day, so I pulled a long sleeve top and a hood as well as some jeans and my ugg boots. Not the most stylish, but I was glad I had when I stepped into the cool autumn air.
-
I looked out the cafeteria window at lunch in my own little world, wondering if Abbey would be able to come visit. She was like a sister to me. The only person I would ever confide in about anything, mainly because she was the only person I had.
I was shook from my thoughts be Cassie, who was staring at me like I’d just licked my knee for no reason. When I looked at everyone they were all staring at me, amused.
“What?” I asked, slightly confused.
“You were juts kind of sitting there. Staring. And then you just kinda shed a tear..” Cassie trailed off. What? I wiped my face with the sleeve of my hoodie, and sure enough, it was wet. I laughed out of embarrassment. How could I start crying and not realize?
“What where you thinking about?” Jack asked, as the other continued their own conversation.
“Oh.. well. I was thinking about my best friend from England, Abbey. She might be coming to California for my birthday” I said. “I miss her so much. She was like a sister to me” He put his hand on my shoulder and smiled reassuringly. Jack was a nice kid. He was kinda quiet at times, but he always had his moments.
It had started warming up during the day, so I decided to take off my hoodie. As I did so, my top underneath pulled up slightly revealing a few fresh bruises. I heard gasps. I hadn’t expected any of them to notice.
“Charlie! What the hell happened?” Cassie whispered harshly has I pulled my top down to cover them.
“Uhm.. I-I walked into my bed frame..?” I stuttered. Lies.
“Yeah, and I’m Rasputin” Ben stated sarcastically. I looked up and frowned. He’d seen too. And I’m guessing jack did because he was sitting right next to me. I hung my head with shame and stood up. I didn’t want to talk about it.
“Where are you going?” Cassie asked. I looked up at her.
“I have to go.. uhm study in the library” I said, trying to get away.
“Oh no you don’t” I heard Ben’s voice before I felt muscular arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back to the table.
“Guys, I don’t want to talk about it. Its just a bruise, it’ll go away” I stated.
“Yeah but, this isn’t the first one we’ve noticed” Jack said. Oh great. Now I’ll have to make up some lame excuse. Before I could say anything, the bell went and a shot up.
“I have to go. Class. Bye guys.” Literally saved by the bell. I rushed off. Not in the direction of my locker, but towards the girls restroom.
I hadn’t noticed Cassie following me until I heard the door open and close again. I looked up. She was standing behind me with a worried look on her face. I know she could see right through me, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to talk about it. Ever.
“Its nothing” I stated before she even got a word out.
“Charlie this isn’t nothing. You try covering them up but they’ll always be there and we’ve noticed there is more and more every week. What is going on? I want to know Charlie. I want to help..”
“Well I don’t think that’s possible.”
”Yes it is, you can report them for domestic violence or child abuse or whatever it is. This isn’t right” She said, shaking her head. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, and neither does anyone else. I knew she was right. But if I reported my parents, where would I go?
“If it really came down to it, you could stay with me for a bit? My parents love you.” This was also true. Since they had met me about 2 weeks after I had moved here, they’d been so fantastic to me. I wish my parents were like that too. Which made it even more difficult. Why don’t I just turn them in? I had been considering it for a long time. But never been ballsy enough to do it.
I stayed in the girls rest rooms for the rest of the day with Cassie talking about EVERYTHING that had happened. How my parents became alcoholics, to why they beat me, how I was bullied since I turned 13 and gained an interest in different music. It’s the first time I had talked about it since I never really had to in one big go with Abbey, as every that happened, she’d be the first to know right away. I cried, and we laughed at the stupid things she had to say back, saying what I should have said all the times I was picked on. She was very creative that way.
When the end of school bell rang I stood up, feeling a great deal better than I had at the end of lunch.
“I guess we should go” I stated. We said our goodbyes and walked in opposite directions to out lockers. When I left for home on the bus I put my headphones in and started thinking about what Cassie had said.
I really ought to call the cops on them. If I don’t who knows how bad it’ll get? I could end up in hospital again, which is one experience I never wanted to re-live.
When I got home I walked straight up to my room and collapsed onto my bed. I was so exhausted from today, having that talk with Cassie and crying so much.
Still listening to my ipod, I slowly drifted off to sleep. Wishing tomorrow to be a better day.
Not long after we settled in the beatings started again. Yay. But it wasn’t as bad as it had been. My parents still continues to verbally abuse me just as much, calling me a slut and useless. Well, I guess that was their problem for bringing me into the world.
I was also enrolled at a new school. Edison High School. It was a fair way away from my house. A 1-2 mine walk and then a 20 minute bus ride.
The school wasn’t too bad. And the people weren’t horrible.. But I guessed that was just for now. Some people had even asked me where I was from what I liked if I had any hobbies.. And then never talked to me again. Ha, how did I know?
But there was this one girl in My history, English and maths classes, Cassie, how continuously has with me being nice and asking me questions. And today she asked if I wanted to sit with her and her friends at lunch. For the past few days I’d been spending my lunch time in the library, I liked reading so I was fine with that, but I wanted a bit of change. So I simply smiled and said “Sure”.
Another class went by and then the lunch bell rang. I walked to my locker where Cassie told me she would meet up with me. And she was there already waiting.
“Hii” I smiled and unlocked my locker. I put my stuff inside, closed and we headed of to the cafeteria.
“Soo Charlie, what kind of music are you into?” A question she hadn’t yet asked and i was slightly scared of answering.
“Uhm, I like a lot of progressive rock, punk, metal, hardcore…” I trailed off, looked at her to see her reaction. She just smiled.
“I’m into that kind of stuff too” I grinned. Finally someone normal. We walked into the cafeteria and walked over to a table already occupied with 3 other people, two boys and a girl. We sat with them and Cassie said “Hi”.
They all replied with “Hey”s and “Whats up?”… and then they looked at me. Veryyyy strangely. I don’t blame them though. Want to know why? Since we moved to a hotter country and a hotter state and what not, I had opted for a minimal amount of make up so my face didn’t feel like it was melting. So instead of heavy eyeliner, today I had just applied some mascara. It felt good, but it was something I would need to take time to get used to.
“Ohhh, guys this is Charlie, she’s my new friend and she’s in my English, maths and history classes.” She stated happily.. Wait what? Did she just say what I think she said? A new friend. Well that made me feel better.
“Hii” I waved to them all. The two boys introduced themselves as Ben and Jack. Ben had nice tanned skin, dark shaggy hair, emerald green eyes and a veeerry cute smile with some extra cute dimples to match and snake bites. Jack had dirty blond hair, stunning blue eyes and a nice tan like Ben, but had no facial piercings. They both had a bit of muscle going on. So I’m just going to say it, they were hot. But I wasn’t going to let that be known. The girl’s name was Teagan. I’d seen her somewhere before..
“So Charlie, where you from? And what brings you to sunny old California?” Jack asked. Interrupting my train of thought.
“Well I used to live in English but my parents decided they didn’t want to live in there anymore so they dragged me along with them…” I said, shyly.
“Oooooh, what was it like?” Ben asked eagerly.
“It was.. cold most of the time, and snowed a lot in winter. But summers got hot too. Its not a very big place though. And not a lot of exciting things happen there. Apart from big royal parades in London for the Queen” and conversation continued question after question. Things like am I enjoying Huntington? Whats some hobbies? The boys were pleased to hear that I played guitar. And asked if I’d show them one day. I smiled. I felt comfortable. Finally, I had a GROUP of friends, not just one. But, I knew this greatness wouldn’t last long after i got home to my parents.
The end of lunch bell rang. Signaling I had one class left, science.
“Hey Charlie!” I heard someone call after I left the cafeteria. “Do you have science now?” Oh. So THATS where I recognized her from. She was in my science class. “Yeah, I do” I replied. So we walked to class together. I loved science. I love everything about it. But you know the phrase “Time flies when you’re having fun” Well it was true. And before I knew it the last bell rang signaling it was the end of the day.
Teagan and I walked back in the direction of our lockers. Hers was close to mine, so I was glad to have a friend to talk to on the way. We said our goodbyes and I packed my stuff into my backpack and walked out the front of the school searching for the bus that headed in the direction of my house. It went close, but not all the way, leaving me with a 20 minute walk after a 20 minute bus ride. I didn’t mind, It gave me time to think about things and prepare for my parents at home.
As I reached my street i prayed my parents wouldn’t be there. I walked up to the door and unlocked it. I walked in and the house was totally silent. I walked into the kitchen to see if anyone was in there. Nope. So I went up stairs and to my room.
I had just finished putting up my posters and sorting all my stuff out last night. I was happy with it. Bed against the wall opposite the door. A desk in front of the window on the far right side of the room with my old laptop. To the left of me was a double sliding closet, and just before that was another door to the small en-suite i had. Just a toilet, shower and sink cramped into a 2x2.5m tiled room. Not that big, but it was enough.
I sighed and laid down on my bed. Flipping through the events of the day. I had new friends. I decided I wanted to call Abbey and tell her the great news. i hadn’t talked to her for two days. But it’d have to wait til the morning, considering the time difference, 8 hours or something. I put in my headphones and started listening to my ipod. I must have drifted off because I woke up to my mom yelling out my name. ‘Here we go’ I thought.
I walked down the stairs to my mom glaring at me. “What?” I asked. She pointed to the kitchen and said “Dishes. Now. Your father and I are going out to a dinner with his work. We’ll be back late. I want the dishes done, the washing washed and folded, and the house spotless by the time we are. Got it?” She looked at me sternly.
“Yes mom. I’ll do it” I don’t know why I bothered. It only earned me a slap across the face. I stumbled. “What was that for?” I whimpered regaining my balance and holding my had to my face.
“For the attitude” She simply replied. I scoffed and turn my back to her and started on the dishes so she wouldn’t see the tears fall from my eyes. Dad walked down the stairs unaware of what just happened, and told my mother that it was time to go. And they left. Just like that. I looked at the clock. It was 6:30. I must have fallen asleep for a good two and a half hours. I placed my had back onto my check. “Ouchh” I said to myself. It was a hard slap that had nearly knocked me down. I was sick of this, I don’t know why I never reported it. I guess because I needed them. Or more I needed their money.
Maybe I should get a job, I am 17, I thought to myself. It could be beneficial in more than one way. Job = Money + Less time around home + less beatings = A happier me. What a great idea I thought. So after I’d finished the dishes I went up to my laptop and started browsing online for places that were hiring. Not much luck. Maybe I’ll write up a resume and go down one day with Cassie and Teagan. Good idea.
After an eternity (thats what it felt like) of doing my chores, I hopped in the shower. When I got out I observed myself in the mirror. What a mess. My colored streaks had faded, and my dark blond regrowth was showing, almost 3 inches . I looked skinnier than ever and the bruising around my stomach from a week and a half ago (before me moved) was just fading. I popped on my pajamas and slid into my bed. I was so tired. All I wanted to do was sleep.
The drive to the airport was… well to put it lightly, horrible. My parents were bickering away at each other. I didn’t understand why they never got divorced. They were both horrible to each other and myself and the last thing I wanted was to arrive in a completely new country, neighborhood and home and be the troublesome family in the street. Not a very good way to make friends, ey?
The flight to California was, to be honest, no better than the car ride to the airport, 11 hours of me trying to sleep whilst mum and dad arguing and dad getting really drunk. I’m betting anything the trip to our new home will be just as bad.
-
We stepped off the plane, went throught the terminal and out to the bagage claim. We were at the John Wayne airport, the airport closest to our new home. It was warm when we stepped out, looking for a cab. Did I not mention, we didn’t own a car? Dad earned enough from his job for us to get one, but always complained about me being ‘fat’ so he made me walk everywhere or catch a bus, he would catch a cab to work and to the pub and where ever the fuck he went every day, so did mum.
So here we are. Standing out the front of an airport, in, i’d say about mid 50s to 60s. A bit warmer than what I was used to in England.
Once we found a cab my mum told the man where to drive. I still had my headphones in but i faintly heard “…Huntington Beach”. The man nodded, and we drove away from the airport. It was a short ride to our new home, we seemed to be very close to the beach. Looks like I’ll be needing to by some new swimwear.
Finally, after turning down down a few streets off Main Street, we reached our destination. A nice house on Hartford Ave, at least thats what I think the sign said. The house was grey, modern and two stories. A smile creeped up on my face, it was much nicer then the house we used to have.
I stepped out of the cab, grabbed my bags, as did my mum and dad and then dad paid the driver. As we walked up to the house there was a note pinned to the door.
It read: Dear The Roberts Family, Sorry I could not meet you as I will be busy caught in a last minute meeting. I have placed a key under the mat so you can get inside. Hope your trip went well, Jessica Holdsworth”
I guess she was the real estate agent my parents sorted this out through. Oh well. As we stepped inside we were welcomed by a nicely sized lounge area, with stairs to the right leading up tp the second floor. To the left was a archway I guess leading to the kitchen. I walked over and found I was right. There was a door next to the end counter, which lead out to the small side yard we had.
I walked back to the lounge and up the stairs where mum and dad were already looking around. I walked to the bedroom at the end of the hall, as mum and dad had already put what luggage we had with us into their room, which was already occupied by a queen size bed.
“The rest of our stuff should arrive sometime in the next few days” My dad called to me.
I put my stuff down on the double bed that was in my room. That was generous of them. Though I knew it wouldn’t last long after we got settled in.
I layed on on my bed. It had been a very long day. I still needed to call Abbey to tell her I had arrived. I also wanted to get some sleep. So I decided to do that first, afterall, it was 10:30PM.
“CHARLIE! GET UP!” I heard my mom scream at me. I grunted. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want to move. I got out of bed and went downstairs to find something to eat. Luckily, there was still the toaster and some bread left. I sat and ate my toast before Abbey walked into the kitchen.
“Hey Charlie. How are you?” She asked, sadly.
“Could be WAY better” I said, finishing the rest of my toast. “Come on, I’m gonna need help getting my shit outside.”
We were helping pack the truck, and by the time we were finished, it was around 10.
I was sitting on the stairs at the front of the house with Abbey next to me.
“I don’t want you to go. I’m gonna miss you heaps” She said, tears forming in her eyes.
“I don’t wanna go either, but I have to. I promise we will keep in touch, okay?” I said to her, tears now forming in my eyes as well. I hugged her, and held her tight. We both started crying. I couldn’t stand leaving her. We had gone through so much since we became friends. Fights, break ups, abuse, first times getting drunk thats something to laugh about, hah. All the good memories, I will miss so badly.
“CHARLIE! SAY GOOD BYE! WE’RE LEAVING!” I heard dad yell. I stood up, letting go of Abbey and she stood up as well, and we hugged again, not wanting to let go. We were both crying our eyes out when I heard dad call me again. We let go of each other and I walked to the car and got in. I looked out the window and looked at Abbey. Her make-up had run down her face from crying, and I bet I looked no better. I waved to her as dad started up the car, and she waved back. As we pulled out of the drive, I watched her figure slowly fade away as we drove off. I sighed and pulled out my ipod and put the headphones in my ears. I fell asleep.
A week after I had stayed at Abbey’s, we started to pack for the move. I had been ignoring my parents, which resulted in more beatings.
I was in my room packing when I heard someone walking towards my room. They knocked.
“Charlie, it’s me, Abbey. Can I come in?” she asked. I unlocked the door and let her in.
“How are you?” I asked, and continued packing up my clothing.
“I’m okay. You? Need any help?” She asked quietly.
I nodded at her and she opened my cupboard door and started pulling shit off the shelves. We packed in silence for what seemed like hours when finally everything except Dino, was packed into boxes. We walked downstairs to grab something to eat when Abbey finally spoke.
“I’m gonna miss you Charlie” She sighed. I was gonna miss her too, she was my only friend here, she was like a sister to me.
“I’m gonna miss you too Abbey” I said and broke down crying. Abbey came over to me and hugged me real tight.
“It’s going to be okay, we’ll stay in contact, promise?” She said, I nodded and smiled, as she wiped away my tears. I stood up and walked over to the fridge to get myself a drink.
“Want anything?”
“Soda will do” Abbey replied. We sat at the table in silence for five minutes when mum came in from her bedroom.
“Hello Abbey” she said and smiled.
“Hello Mrs. Roberts” Abbey replied, returning the smile. It all fell into silence again, in which time I tried my best not to make eye contact with my mom.
“So.. Charlie, I want you to bring your stuff into the living room tonight, ready to be backed into the moving truck tomorrow.” Mom said. I grunted as a reply, which earned me a glare from her as she walked out of the kitchen. I sighed. This wasn’t gonna be an easy move for me, and mom knew that, but she was forcing me to go anyway.
Not long after, Abbey left, but promised to be here before we left the following day.
I walked up to my room, the only things left were my guitar and bed. I started to take the boxes of crap downstairs and after I had done that, I had a shower and went to bed.
But I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get the thought of leaving Abbey behind out of my head. What would she do in school? Who would she hang around?
When I finally fell asleep, it was 2:30 in the morning.
I woke up the next morning being shaken by Abbey.
“Whaaaa?” I mumbled and then yawned.
“Your mom just came around, she was pissed. She came like 10 minutes ago banging on the door, I’m surprised you didn’t wake up! Well anyway, she comes over screaming ‘WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT SLUT!?!?’ Then I tell her your not here and she goes crazy, screaming and yelling at me, then mom came down stairs, half asleep and very pissed off and told your mum to scoot or she’s call the police and tell them about your father” She said.
I sat up and laughed. Thats not the first time thats happened. I got off the couch and we both walked down stairs to get myself some coffee. I love that stuff!
After we had our coffee we walked to the park which was just five minutes away. We sat on the swings just talking about random stuff, when out of nowhere, Molly, a prep from our school came up to us. I glared at her before she started to talk to us.
“Hey freaks, Why aren’t you dead yet? Surely your life isn’t worth living. Look at you, dark make up, dark clothes with freaky looking people on them, I dunno how you could live like that! haven’t you heard of color? Maybe you should try it one day!” she said, before she started to walk off.
“For your information, cum rag, I actually do have a life thats actually worth living, unlike you. I don’t understand how YOU go through life. My god, look at you! Your as thin as a stick, you eat nothing at school, you have bright pink nails, that are most likely FAKE, your hair is bleached blond, makes you like a complete slut, which you are and your skirt comes up to your ass. Seriously, have you slept with all the guys on the school football team yet? ‘Cause you sure as hell look like you have! You and your bright colors can go rot in hell for all I care, because I DON’T care.” I said, grinning. She turned around to me, furious at what I had just said.
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me, now, if you will excuse me, I have somewhere to go” I said, smiling and walking off, Abbey trailing behind me. Molly stood there, looking extremely pissed off. Abbey and I started to laugh,
“Wow, never have I heard you say THAT before!” She said whilst laughing. We soon calmed down as we got back to Abbey’s place. I went up stairs and grabbed my stuff and my guitar to go back home.
“Great, now I have to go home and face the ‘where were you last night, we were so worried’ lies and then beatings from mother and father” I said sadly.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it wont be that bad. Besides, its not the end of the world if they yell at you. But, I really think that you should do something about them hitting you.” Abbey said as she walked me to her front door.
“I’ll see you later, bye.” I said and walked out the door to make my way home. When I got there I walked in the door quick enough to not be noticed and ran up to my room and locked the door. I turned on my ipod and started listening to Green Day’s Basket case. Oh how I loved that song.
I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up it was dark outside. I slowly got out of my bed and headed towards the kitchen. When I got there I saw mom and dad sitting at the table talking. When I entered the room they stopped talking and looked up at me.
“What?” I asked bitterly.
“Don’t talk to us like that. Where have you been?” dad asked me, angrily.
“Out, not that you care or anything.” I said. I knew I shouldn’t have. Dad stood up and slapped me across the face, leaving a big red mark. I glared at him as tears started to appear in my eyes. I quickly ran up to my room and grabbed Dino from the corner. I started playing something that I had made up a while ago. It had no lyrics yet, but it was a tune, ands that was all I needed.
After I had played my lyric-less song, I walked out and into the bathroom, I striped down and examined my cuts and bruises in the mirror. They were all over me. I looked away from the mirror and turned on the shower. I jumped in and let the warm water wash over my body. Damn it was good.
I got out of the shower and dried my hair and body. I walked into my room to find something pj’s to wear to bed. And as soon as I turned on my ipod again, I fell fast asleep.
Chapter One.
“WHY?” I yelled at my mother. She had just told me we were moving.
“Because your father and I don’t like it here!” she said back calmly.
“BUT I DO! I HAVE ABBEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK I’M MEANT TO TELL HER!? ‘Oh Hi Abbey, Guess what? I’m moving to California in a couple of days and I’ll never see you again’?! I DON’T THINK SO!” I screamed and ran up to my room and slammed the door.
Before I go any further, let me tell you about myself.
My name is Charlie Sin. Its not my real last name. But like it better than Roberts. Reminds me of my mom. Anyways. I’m a 17 year old girl who gets beaten by her father who is drunk half the time. I also get beaten at school. I’m known as a freak for the way I look, you know, black skinny leg jeans, band shirt & hoodie, heavy amount of make-up that makes my green eyes stand out, black shoulder length hair with streaks of purple and green through it. I also only have one friend, Abbey. we have been best friends since I don’t know when but we have never been separated like we are about to be.
I wouldn’t be able to handle telling her. She was my best friend EVER and I couldn’t lose her because my stupid mom wants to move. No way, not happening.
I decided to pack my back pack and go to Abbey’s house. I had to tell her now, I couldn’t break it to her at school. So I decided I wanted to tell her tonight. So I packed a clean pair of pants and a clean Sex Pistols shirt into my bag, grabbed my guitar, Dino, and climbed out the window and slid down the drain pipe. I’ve done this loads of times before, so its nothing new.
I started walking my way to Abbey’s house, which was only a few streets away. When I got there I walked up to the door and let myself in(I do this all the time) and yelled out “ABBEY” She appeared out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hand. Abbey was alot like me, except she had short blond hair with purple streaks through it. She was wearing black sweat pants and a Nirvana shirt.
“Hey, what you doing here?” she asked, taking a sip from her coffee.
“I have something to tell you” I replied walking into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee as she sat her self down at the table.
“Ok, well, this evening when I got home, my mom was. I was surprised to see her there. Well anyway, I also noticed that dad was home as well. I took all my stuff up to my room and started listening to music about an hour later, Mom comes up to my room and tells me to come down stairs. She then tells me that..th-that.. We’re moving to California” I said this and then broke down into tears.
I heard Abbey almost choke on her coffee. I took a sip from mine, being careful not to spill it everywhere as I was shaking so badly. I looked up and saw that she had tears about to fall from her beautiful emerald eyes. I walked over to her and sat down next to her and hugged her tightly. I was still crying. I couldn’t move, I know what Abbey might do, and I tell you, it wont be anything good.
“Promise me you wont trey to hurt yourself? I know what you did when you got dumped by Adrian and I don’t want you to do it again.” I looked down at her. She nodded slowly.
“I promise I wont if you promise to call me twice a week” she said, letting go off me. I picked up my coffee that was now just warm and drank it all.
“I’m tired, can I crash here the night?” I said.
“Yeah sure, mom wont mind, she loves you like she loves her own daughter” She looked at me and laughed. Her mom was one of the nicest people I had ever met. And I loved her as if she was my mom.
I took my stuff to Abbey’s room and dumped my bag in the corner and leaned Dino on her closet door. I placed myself on the end of her bed and looked at myself in the mirror opposite. Shit. I looked like shit, my make up had run and my eyes were all red and puffy from crying. My hair was a mess from not being brushed all day. Not like it mattered much. I lifted up the side of my hoodie and shirt to reveal cuts and bruises from where my dad hits and kicks me when he comes home drunk. One time things got really bad and I ended up in hospital for a week.
I heard Abbey come up the stairs and enter her room. She sighed when she saw the marks.
“You should really tell someone about that you know.” she said, then sat down next to me.
“I will..one day.” I replied. “I’m tired, I’ll crash on your couch.” I said then walked over and moved Dino and pulled a few blankets out of the closet and chucked them onto the couch.
“Night” I said.
“Good night” she replied. As soon as my head hit the arm of the couch I was fast asleep.
