Chapter Six
My new brother...
My alarm rang telling me to get my lazy butt out of bed and get ready for school but I ignored it. I looked over and pressed the snooze button. Twenty minutes later my human alarm clock Vicky came to my room telling me to get up.
"Jazmaine get up. Mrs. Waters is driving us to school."
Oh that's right. I forgot we slept at Gabby's house that night. I looked around and realized I wasn't in my bed or my house. I laid my head back down and closed my eyes.
"Did you hear me?"
"I'm not going to school today."
"Yes you are. Mom is still at her conference and won't be home until six tonight. Mrs. Waters has to go to work also so stop wasting her time and come on," yelled Vicky.
"Oh so while you guys go on with your merry lives you expect me to jump on the speeding happy train and ignore the fact that my boyfriend is in the hospital and that when he gets discharged tomorrow nobody will be there to get him? He'll be turned over to foster care Vicky!" I started crying. I've been really emotional ever since I met Derwin. I don't mind though.
I pulled myself together and sat up. I was still wearing what I wore to school yesterday. Gross. Vicky came and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Look I know your life is getting crazy but so is mine. I almost got killed by a rapist, I have to deal with a sister that seems to be on her period twenty four seven, and I have to deal with the fact that mom is never home and she basically ignores us." She smiled a little but then it disappeared when I didn't smile back.
"I am not that emotional," I said.
"You kind-of are," said Vicky.
"Okay I am but I have a good reason. I guess I shouldn't miss school though."
"That's my girl," said Vicky smiling. "Oh and since we had this little talk you now have ten minutes to get your ass downstairs." She laughed and walked out of
the guest room.
"I love you," I said.
I got up and went into the guest bathroom. I quickly threw my clothes off and took a shower in record time. Three minutes and forty
seconds. I had to do something to keep my mind off of Derwin. I got dressed in my new skinny jeans and a violet tank top. I put on a pair of black converse
Gabby let me borrow and ran down the stairs. Mrs. Waters dropped us off at school and said she'd be back to pick us up when school ended. She wanted to
make sure we were safe.
"Wanna meet at the entrance like we always do?" asked Vicky.
"Yeah sure."
"If you feel like you can't stay past third period go to the nurse and pretend to be sick. I know for a fact she won't come near you if you're coughing. Call
Aisha's mom to come get you. She isn't working today," said Vicky.
"Thanks."
"Later chica," said Vicky
"Adios muchacha," I said cracking a smile.
I met Aisha at the usual spot in front of Mr. F's class and explained everything to her before the bell cut me off. We walked to class in
silence. English went by as usual. Romeo & Juliet but I didn't listen. I didn't listen in any of my classes. So much for keeping my mind off Derwin. His seat
was just so empty and abandoned. I miss him terribly.
"Ms. Hayze?"
"Huh?" I said snapping out of my daydream.
"Could you please identify this vital organ in the frog?" asked my Biology teacher, Mr. Fargates pointing to a cut open frog.
I didn't even realize it was already fifth period. I don't even remember having lunch. However I shook my head and glared at the frog.
"Um is it the..." The bell rang just in time ending fifth period.
"I'll tell you tomorrow Mr. F," I said smiling. I quickly walked out of his class and ran right into a kid I've never seen before.
He's gorgeous, I thought. Wait no I love Derwin.
"I am so sorry. I wasn't looking. I didn't mean to bump into you." I kept running my mouth until he held up a hand silencing me. He spoke in the most angelic
voice I've ever heard.
"It was my fault. I'm new here. My name is Yuki." He stuck out his hand and I just stared at it. Eventually my brain registered what it meant and I shook it.
"Oh, Yuki. That's a really unique name."
"Yeah it means snow in Japanese." He smiled a brilliant smile that left me breathless.
"Are you Japanese?"
"My mother is. I know I just look like a plain old white boy but I guess that makes me Japanese as well. I was born in Romania. My father is Romanian." He
smiled his perfect smile once again.
He was far from a "plain old white boy". He had the most striking amber eyes. His hair was strawberry blonde with a single streak of
black in it. He had short bangs that stopped just above his eyebrow. He was about five foot ten and he had just the right amount of muscle. Not that I was
looking. His eyes were almond shaped (just like mine) and he had thick eye lashes for a guy.
"Wow that's so cool. What class do you have next?"
"Global studies. Do you think you can point me in the right direction?"
"I'm heading there now. I'll take you."
"Thanks."
I walked him to class and we talked the whole way. He sat next to me and we even passed notes. He liked all the stuff I liked and he
was really easy to talk to. He lifted me out of my bad mood.
Have you heard of Gravitation? He wrote.
I think so. It's an anime right? I wrote back.
Yes. My mom created it. I even got to do the singing for the character Shuichi.
OMG no way!
Seriously. I could show you if you like.
I'm free today. I wrote it down a little quickly because he seemed surprised to see it be handed back so fast.
Awesome. I could come over to your house or do you want to come to mine?
I'll go to yours.
Cool. I'll see you at five o' clock then? Here's my number: 374-0922
I'll be there.
Just then a ruler slammed down on my desk and I jumped half out of my seat. I looked up to see our Global Studies teacher, Mrs.
Liberty (ironic I know), scowling at us.
"Give it here," she said eyeing the note.
I reluctantly handed it over and watched in horror as she walked to the front of class and opened the note.
"Let's see what couldn't wait until after school," she said smiling.
I could feel my face getting hot and I looked to my left at Yuki. His face was serious and his eyes were full of rage. Mrs. Liberty began
reading the note out loud (she skipped over his phone number). The whole class giggled and said their oohs and ahhs.
"Oh that's right Mr. Yuki is a new transfer student," she said laughing. "Everyone meet Yuki Balan. Please tell us about yourself besides what we already know due to this note."
Yuki slowly made his way to the front and gave a simple speech in his angelic voice.
"Um there isn't much to say that you don't already know. Well Yuki means snow in Japanese. I'm half Japanese and half Romanian. I know weird mix but I
guess it worked out well for me. The black streak in my hair is natural. I don't know how but it is. I transferred from Crestwood and I like girls." He smiled and
all the girls giggled and swooned over him. I could tell there were guys hating on him already. He walked back to his seat and smiled at me.
"How was that?" he whispered.
"Wonderful," I heard myself whisper back.
This can't be happening right now. I have a boyfriend in the hospital and I'm drooling over the new guy. I need to pull myself together.
After school I met Vicky and Mrs. Waters picked us up. We were notified that it'd be safe to sleep in our house by tomorrow. Vicky and I were allowed to go to
the house and get clothes. I got ready to go over to Yuki's house. I settled for lime green strapless summer dress with pockets and silver gladiator sandals. I
dialed his number and he picked up on the third ring.
"Moshi, moshi."
"Um is Yuki there?" I asked tentatively.
"Jazmaine is that you?"
"Yes."
"Oh I'm sorry. I'm just used to picking my phone up in Japanese."
"It's cool. So what's the address? I'm coming over now."
He told me his address and I was surprised because it was within walking distance of Gabby's house. It was fifteen minutes away.
"Okay I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
"Can't wait," he replied.
I hung up and jogged down the stairs.
"Where are you going all dressed up?" Asked Vicky.
"There's this new kid I made friends with today and I said I'd go over their house after school." I was careful not to mention it was a guy. Vicky would think I
was cheating on Derwin.
"Oh. Do you want me to drive you?"
"No it's real close by. I'm going to walk. I'll be back in a couple hours."
"Okay be careful."
I left Gabby's house and walked in the direction of Yuki's house. I got there with five minutes to spare. His house was a decent size
and it has cute rose bushes in the front yard. I walked up the three steps leading up to the front door. I was greeted by the scent of roses and jasmine. I
breathed it in and rang the door bell. Yuki opened the door without a shirt on and he was towel drying his hair.
"You said twenty minutes," he said smiling.
"Sorry I didn't know you wouldn't be ready," I said staring at his shirtless torso. He had amazing abs and his chest glistened.
"I'm up here," he said while lifting my chin.
My cheeks flamed and I looked away.
"Well come on in then," he said taking my hand and pulling me inside. "Wait here."
He let go of my hand and went into a room. I gazed around his house He came out a few seconds later with a shirt on and walked
back to me.
"Come on. My room is upstairs," he took my hand again and led me upstairs.
His room was quite boy-ish. There was a game console by a gigantic TV and few video games were strewn on the floor. His bed was
made neatly but it looked like his might have been laying on it. He had a red laptop on the bed and a notebook. His walls were white with red swirls across it
directly in the middle of all four walls. It looked kind-of like fire but like a tattoo. He had a Mac desktop on a desk in one corner of the room. He had a small
balcony where two chairs and a small bamboo plant were. I walked in taking in my surroundings.
"Ready to listen to those songs?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Definitely," I said.
He sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him. I strolled over and sat down. He opened ITunes on the laptop and scrolled down to
a playlist labeled Gravitation. He clicked on it and double-clicked a song named The Rage Beat.
"This is one of my favorites," Yuki said smiling.
The song started in a sort of techno way. Then I heard a cute manly voice begin singing in a foreign language (Japanese I suppose).
I listened intently and stared in amazement at Yuki as he softly sang along with the words.
"Obieta mezuki de iradatsu omoi uwaki na kaze ni hakisutete hibi-wareta rojou ni toketa shigunaru wa kizuato dake nokoshite-iku," sang Yuki.
Oh my gosh. He really can sing and he even knew every word by heart. As the guitar solo came on he jumped up and ran to his closet
taking out an all black guitar. He played along with the song and it sounded perfect. At the end there was a really long vocal note and I was surprised he
could hold it for that long with out staggering. He set down the guitar and came back to the bed. I hadn't realized my mouth was hanging open until he closed
it for me.
"That was amazing," I said smiling.
"Thank you."
"You didn't tell me you could speak Japanese."
"I had to learn it for the songs. It's a really beautiful language. Here's my other favorite," he said clicking on another song called Blind Game Again.
Just like the last it started kind-of like techno. He sang along again but didn't jump up for a guitar solo even though it was insanely
cute.
"Is there English in this?" I asked.
"Yeah. Of course the title is English but there are little English phrases in it as well. I say cry for the sun, I say drastic game a game, I say don't let me down and I say doll." It sounds better if I tell you the lyrics."
"Okay so what does the song say?"
"Blind game again, quite a worn out, crumpled doll. Shatter the eternally unchanging nights. Amid the rustling wind, the light around me makes a sound that slips through my memory. There's a temptation I certainly hadn't expected would be so incomprehensible: your pace, with your heart thrown into turmoil. The night where nothing can be held back has passed for us. Its yet-unseen conclusion is still an illusion."
"That is beautiful," I said grinning like an idiot.
"There is more but it's quite long as you can tell."
The song was still playing. I didn't care because it was amazing. I decided to sing along.
"Blind game again kanr-something nomi-uh something doll! Suma-something la, la, la." I carried on not knowing what I was saying.
Yuki laughed so hard he started crying.
"Do you have any idea what you just said?" he asked through laughs.
"No what did I say?" I asked suddenly worried.
"You said that you were an ugly fat cow that likes to eat crickets." He burst into another fit of laughter as I gasped.
I am most definitely not a cow and pathetic as it may be I'm afraid of crickets.
"Do I look like a fat cow to you?" I asked gesturing to my body.
"Not at all," he said letting his eyes linger a little longer than they should have.
He looked into my eyes and all traces of laughter were gone. His eyes bored into mine with such an intensity I had to look away. He
turned my head back to him and leaned forward slowly.
"Just tell me to stop if you don't want me to," he said still leaning forward.
He smelled so good. It was intoxicating. I was too busy thinking about how good he smells to notice his lips were inches from mine.
"N-." My words were cut off by his lips gently pressing on mine.
He kissed me lightly at first but got rougher as I unknowingly kissed back. I leaned back a little and ended up lying down. He got on
top of me and we kissed passionately. He took off his shirt and I lightly touched his chest. He shivered a little and pushed me up towards the pillows and laid
my head down. Yuki kissed me starting from my neck down to my chest. I could feel him getting harder as I moaned. He grabbed my thighs and brought my
legs up. He was just about to pull up the dress when I realized I have a boyfriend.
"No stop!" I said. Our breathing was heavy and he looked confused. "I, um, I have a boyfriend Yuki."
I don't know what flashed in his eyes but he immediately got off of me and put his shirt back on.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." He looked as if he was about to cry. I took a minute to slow my breathing and sat up.
"It wasn't your fault. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm the one that didn't tell you." I fixed my dress and got off his bed.
"It's just..." He closed his eyes and sighed like he was frustrated at himself.
"What's wrong?"
"I had a girl cheat on me before so I would know exactly how your boyfriend was to feel if this happened."
"I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?" I walked to where he was standing and rubbed his back.
"I don't usually act this way when it comes to girls. I've never even tried that with any of my girlfriends. My parents raised me saying to wait until I'm married
but I don't know what came over me."
"It's alright. I was brought up the same way. So tell me about this girl."
We walked out to the balcony and sat on the two chairs.
"We had been going out for a year and a half. It was our anniversary so I decided to go over to her house with a gold bracelet as a present. That bracelet was
so not cheap by the way. The door was open and I let myself in like I usually do. I was on my way to her room and I heard her screaming. Unfortunately it
wasn't the type of screaming I thought it was. I busted into her room and found her in bed with my ex-best friend." His voice cracked when he said ex-best
friend and I almost cried.
"Wow that slut."
"Yeah, I didn't yell or anything I just walked out and never spoke to her again."
"I totally feel for you. I thought I caught my boyfriend getting a BJ from this girl I really hate the first day we started dating. Turns out I didn't stay long enough to
see him push her away and tell her off. It was completely heartbreaking to think he cheated on me."
"A BJ?" Jeez does no one know what I'm talking about? Once again not wanting to say the actual word I put my finger in my mouth. He understood right away.
"Oh wow! Good thing it wasn't true I guess."
"You guess?"
"If it was true then I'd have you to myself." He laughed and I laughed with him.
"Yeah right. Like you can handle all of this," I said.
"Looks like I was handling all of that pretty well in there," he said smiling.
I can't believe we can already laugh about that incident. He really was easy to talk to.
"I was just trying not to make you feel bad. Truth is you're an awful kisser."
"Oh really?"
"You heard me."
"Well then would you like to test that little theory of yours?"
"If I kiss you and prove you're awful what do I win?"
"You win my guitar. If you lose, which you will, I get the bra you're wearing right now." He smiled mischievously.
"Oh easy bet! You are going down mister."
He leaned forward closing his eyes. When he got close enough I took his head in both hands.
"I have a boyfriend remember?" I whispered.
With that I got up and left. Once I was outside I waved to him up on the balcony.
"Chicken! You owe me your bra for chickening out!" He yelled down to me.
"Yeah, cuz that's going to happen!" I yelled back. "Bye," I said sweetly.
"Bye Jazmaine," he said back.
I walked back to Gabby's house riding a cloud of happiness. I smiled the whole way there even though I should have been scared out of my mind. It was getting dark and I still had a ten minute walk. I quickened my pace when the sun was completely out of sight. By quickened my pace I mean I ran for my life until I got to Gabby's house. I walked through the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Dude you said your friends' house was real close by," said Vicky when I walked in.
"It is."
"Do you know what time it is?"
"No."
"It's eight o' clock."
"Oh wow. I didn't think we spent all that time together." I seriously didn't think we talked for that long.
"Mom called. I tried to explain what happened but she didn't want to hear it. She thinks we're making up this thing about Ted."
"No way! She must be really blind. We would never make up something so serious. I can't believe she won't listen to her own children." I was enraged. The
happiness I felt at Yuki's house washed away and was replaced by disbelief.
"We can't say anything to her now because she's really upset at us. Let's just stick it out and try to appear fine in front of her." Vicky frowned.
"Forget that. I'm not pretending for her sake. Dad would believe us."
"I know. I miss him so much. Do you want to go see him?"
"I do too. Do you mean today?"
"Yeah, let's go right now."
"Not the actual grave site okay. Let's head to the tree house, it's closer."
"Alright," said Vicky.
As always we hopped into our Mini Cooper and drove off. We reached our house but parked the car a block away so no one knew we
were there. We snuck into our own backyard and climbed up the ladder into the tree house. The tree house was simple but meant a lot to us. We kept a
framed picture of our father up on the wall and there were two chairs and a small table. On the table we always put fresh flowers in a vase for our father
whenever we couldn't go to his grave site.
"Hey dad," I said as I sat down. I smiled up at the old picture of him, Vicky, and I.
"Hi dad," said Vicky.
"Dad everything is going wrong. Mom suddenly thinks we're huge liars and doesn't see that her boyfriend is a criminal."
"Yeah and we don't know what to do. Please help us out here," said Vicky.
Just as I was about to speak we heard footsteps and hushed voices. Vicky and I poked our heads out of the tiny window being sure to
hide our faces. We listened to what the trespassers were saying.
"Thank you for meeting me here," said trespasser number one.
"No problem," said trespasser number two. He sounded oddly familiar.
"So what news do you have about the girl?" Trespasser number one moved and I caught a glimpse of his face in the street lamp.
"It's Ted!" whispered my sister frantically. I clamped my hand over her mouth and shushed her.
"I can't be sure but I have her right where I want her. She trusts me right now so I can't say she suspects anything," replied trespasser number two. Why did
he sound so familiar?
"Good job my boy. Call me if you have anything else. We'll meet here."
"Of course sir."
Ted and the other man walked separate ways and Vicky and I held our breath. We stayed completely frozen to the spot by the window.
After ten minutes we defrosted ourselves and sighed. My heart started beating weird. If I out my hand over it I would feel it beat before I felt it in my chest.
Weird.
"God that was Ted," said Vicky.
"What was he doing here?" I wondered aloud.
"I think when he was talking to that man it was about you. He sent someone out to get you. He hired a hit man!" Vicky yelped.
"Shut up. What if they hear you?" I scolded. "He said I trust him so who could that be?"
"You don't think it is Derwin do you?" asked Vicky her eyes widening.
"I don't think so. He seriously was in the hospital yesterday. Crap! Speaking of that who is going to get him tomorrow?"
"I don't know but what ever you do trust no one. I don't think you should even tell Aisha about this."
"But it's a guy."
"So she could be undercover!"
Obviously Vicky watches way too much television.
"I don't know but I guess I won't say anything about this to her."
"Promise?"
"Yes I promise."
"Good now please get the heck out of this tree so we can go back to Gabby's. I've had enough stress for one night," said Vicky already halfway down the
ladder.
We silently walked the streets to where we parked the car and got in. We drove to Gabby's house and I noticed something in the
rearview mirror. You know how in those cheesy horror movies when the driver looks in the rearview and sees the killer? Well I saw someone or something in
the backseat. I could've sworn we locked the car before we left but who knows. I decided to stay quiet until we reached Gabby's house. I nervously glanced in
the rearview every few seconds and that person or thing was still there. We parked in front of Gabby's house and I turned to Vicky and said, "Hey you want to
know something funny?"
"Sure what?" she said smiling.
"I think it's funny how THE PERSON IN OUR BACKSEAT DOESN'T KNOW I KNOW THEY'RE THERE!" I screeched as I jumped in the back seat and began
pummeling the stranger. After a few good punches my hand started hurting. I strangled them and Vicky turned on the light in the car.
I looked down and noticed that the "person" in our backseat that I was supposedly beating up was a shopping bag with shoes in it
left from our shopping spree. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks and a lump in my throat. This hit man thing was making me crazy.
"You know you're beating up shoes correct?" asked Vicky trying not to smirk.
"Vicky I thought I saw something. This shit is making me crazy. Vicky I'm starting to see things. I need help." Tears spilled out of my eyes as I released my
hold on the shopping bag.
"Oh no honey don't cry," said Vicky trying to comfort me.
I clambered back into the front seat and slammed my fist against the dashboard.
"I want this all to be over already!" I screamed.
"So do I. Look don't cry. You thought you saw something and you took action. I'm surprised you stayed quiet for so long. If I saw something I would've long
ago started screaming," said Vicky in her motherly tone.
I turned to her and hugged her. I cried for what seemed like hours but was only twenty minutes. After the tears were dried up I sniffled
and thanked Vicky. We got out of the car and went inside. I climbed into the guest bed and closed my eyes. I then realized I didn't shower so I dragged myself
out of bed and headed to the guest bathroom. I stared at the person in the mirror. It wasn't me at all. Her eyes were red with bags under them. She looked
exhausted and more than a little mental. I sighed and stepped into the warmth of the shower. I let the water mix with my tears as I began my journey into
crazy land. After a while the water started getting cold so I finished up and wrapped myself in a towel. I got out and looked in the mirror again. Same person
only cleaner.
I began the process of raking a comb through my hair when something caught my eye. I thought I saw Ted in the mirror and gasped. I
whipped around to find nothing but a pale yellow wall. I really was beginning to see things. I hurriedly finished up in the bathroom and walked back to the
guest room. I put on a T-shirt with the words "Boys stink" on it and my favorite "Hello Kitty" shorts. I fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling through the
darkness.
What's happening to me? I wondered to myself. Why is it so hard to live a normal happy life with parents who believe you and an
amazing boyfriend? Why do things have to be complicated? I mulled over these thoughts for hours before my eyelids began getting heavy. I closed my eyes
and two minutes later just as I was about to drift off my alarm rang. Time for school.
"Bloody hell," I said to myself. I smirked a little at the hint of a British accent from my father and sat up.
Dad would always say "bloody hell" when he did something by accident. It was like his catch phrase. I smiled thinking back to when
my dad was alive. He accidently spilled a glass of milk on mom's new couch. She loved that thing so much. I accidently knocked it out of his hands while
jumping on him to give him a hug.
"Bloody hell," he said as he removed his feet from the coffee table.
"Are you mad at me daddy?" I asked.
"No sweetie. Now let's get this cleaned up before mom gets home shall we?" he smiled at me.
I've always been a daddy's girl. No matter what I did the worst he would do was scold me and then tell me not to do it again. I
remember my mom was working late one night and dad took me over a cousins' house to play. We played with "Bratz" dolls the whole day until ten at night.
Mom would be home at ten thirty so we hurried home.
"Now go to sleep and don't tell mom," he said to me. He gave me a quick kiss and ran off to their bedroom.
I did what I was told and shut my eyes tightly. I heard the door open two minutes later and my mom walked in. I pretended to be
asleep and she never knew we'd been out the whole day. Yeah those were the days.
I pulled myself out of my reverie and sluggishly got ready for school. I really didn't care about appearances today so I put on a pair of
faded, ripped jeans and a white tank top. I pulled a gray hoodie over it and put on the same pair of black converse Gabby let me borrow. I slung my bag over
my shoulder and sulked down to the kitchen where Mrs. Waters made my sister and I breakfast. I sat down and ate even though I wasn't the slightest bit
hungry. She let us go to school alone today.
"You look hideous," commented Aisha when I met her by Mr. F's class.
"I feel hideous," I said.
"What's wrong?"
I remembered Vicky's warning and it echoed through my head.
"Um I was just thinking. You know how Derwin and I are together right?"
"Mm hmm."
"Well I kind-of cheated on him but not really!"
"No! With who?"
"It wasn't really cheating. I went to the new kid, Yuki's house and he kissed me. I stopped it though and told him about Derwin. The thing is I liked that he
kissed me. Am I a horrible person?"
"Oh snap! We need to tell Ya-ya this! She has got a huge crush on that Yuki kid." Aisha grabbed me by the arm and towed me downstairs to the Gym. Ya-ya
had P.E. first period so she hung out there until the bell rang. We found her doing crunches in the weight room.
"Hey guys what's up?" she asked sitting up.
"Jazzy kissed your man!" squealed Aisha.
"My man?" asked Ya-ya confused.
"Yuki."
"No you didn't!" screamed Ya-ya. It wasn't a mad scream though.
"I didn't he kissed me."
"OMG!" she got up and started jumping up and down but then she abruptly stopped. "What about Derwin?"
"I still love him. The Yuki thing was a moment of weakness. It won't happen again so he's all yours." I said.
"Yes!" she returned to jumping up and down with Aisha. I love these dorks.
School went by like it did yesterday. I paid minimal attention in class and I didn't eat lunch. I sat outside alone and thought of how
messed up my life was. Before I knew it the bell rang ending school. I went to my locker so I could get stuff for my homework that night and Yuki came up to
me.
"Hey what's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"You seemed so off today. You didn't even pay attention in class. You failed your test."
"Oh. I was thinking," I said simply. I began to walk away before he caught my arm.
"Would you want to come over and talk?" he asked. His amber eyes gleamed with hope.
"I can't. I'm going to visit my boyfriend in the hospital."
"Oh okay. Another time then?"
"Sure."
I walked away and met Vicky at the car. We were finally allowed to stay at our house and so we thanked Mrs. Waters and Gabby then
went home. Mom's car was in the driveway so I presume she was home already.
"Hey mom," I said as I walked in. I didn't bother to go see her. I headed straight upstairs and plopped onto my bed.
"I'm so glad to be home," I said.
My mother came in with Vicky and unfortunately she had her serious face on. I sat up and they came and sat next to me.
"We need to talk," said Mom.
"About?"
"About you two telling the police that Ted tried to rape you."
"It's true though," said Vicky.
"No it's not! Ted is a great guy and if you two can't learn to accept him as my new boyfriend and possibly future husband than I will personally throw you onto
a plane to the nearest military academy."
"What?!" I shouted.
"Military academy!" screamed Vicky. She immediately stood up. "This is an outrage! This isn't something we would make up!"
"Yes military academy, now lower your voice when you speak to me," said my mom standing up. Vicky immediately sat down.
Mom stood in front of us as if she didn't know what to do with us. She began pacing.
"Mom, Derwin is in the hospital." I said.
"What?"
"I said Derwin is in the hospital. Derwin is Ted's son."
"Oh my goodness."
"Can we go see him?" I said looking at the ground.
"Well of course."
Mom drove us to the hospital and we went up to Derwin's room. I immediately went over to his bedside and took his hand in mine.
He looked up at us and smiled.
"Hey guys," he said.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Much better. I can walk now. Want to see?" he seemed so proud of himself.
"Yes I'd love to."
He slowly sat up and when I offered to help him he refused. He got off the bed and walked around it to hug me. I started to cry with joy.
"That's wonderful baby," I said.
"Thanks. They say I can leave today but you know on what condition."
I told Derwin to get back to bed and pulled my mom out of the room. We left Vicky inside with Derwin.
"Mom can you sign Derwin's discharge papers?" I pleaded.
"Why? Isn't Ted going to come get him?"
"No. That's what we've been trying to say. Ted isn't a good guy. He doesn't want Derwin. He's going to be turned over to foster care if no one comes to get him.
"Honey I have to be related to him to sign his discharge papers."
"Adopt him! Please!" I screamed. I sobbed uncontrollably as she thought it over.
"I don't know-
"Please!"
"I have to talk to the doctor about it or something."
"Go find him. Please mom we can't let Derwin go into foster care. I love him."
"I'll do my best," she hugged me and walked over to the nurses' station. I pulled myself together before I re-entered Derwin's room.
He was walking around for Vicky and she cheered him on. I smiled and sat down next to Vicky.
"I'm tired," said Derwin. He went back to his bed and laid down. "Come here," he beckoned to me. I got up and went over to the bed.
"Give me a kiss," he said. He reached up for my face and I let him bring my lips closer to his. We kissed softly before the doctor entered with my mom and cleared his throat. We smiled and I went back to my seat.
"I see you are glad to see Derwin," he said to me. I gave him an embarrassed smile and said, "Yes I am."
"Well you'd be happy to hear that Derwin is going home today." He smiled and turned to my mom. "Just sign these papers and you can be on your way."
I jumped up and ran to the doctor. "Thank you so much!" I screamed. I then turned to my mom and squeezed the life out of her. "And
you too!" I then went over to Derwin and hugged him carefully.
"How come you can't hug me like that?" he asked nodding towards the doctor.
"I don't want to hurt you," I said.
"Baby I was dehydrated not stabbed." He smiled my favorite perfect smile.
"I know but still. Better safe than sorry." I kissed his cheek and sat next to him on the bed. "Do you need any help getting changed?" I asked.
"No I'm good. I have this hot nurse that gives me sponge baths everyday. I'll be fine," he replied with a sly smile.
"Hey that's not fair," I said.
"What?"
"That she gets to see everything before I do."
"We could handle that later on today if you want," he whispered to me. I giggled and my mom cleared her throat.
"There will be no such handling in my house." She said.
Everyone laughed and the nurse walked in.
"Derwin I'm your new nurse for today," she said.
Her hair was beginning to gray and her teeth were yellowing. She had slight wrinkles and she walked quite slowly.
"Um no I'm alright. My girlfriend will help me out," he said quickly and clung to me. I snickered and said, "Oh she's hot alright."
"Alright less work for me," she slowly meandered back the way she came.
Vicky laughed until she couldn't breathe. It was one of those silent laughs and tears started running down her face.
"I'm sorry," she gasped.
I laughed with her and then realized something. My boyfriend is my new brother! Oh dang.