Fredricks pov“He’s the new boy,” Mark whispered in my ears. I saw the way she smiled and how this new boy didn't lose the slightest opportunity to touch her; she blushed countless times in my presence. Before, she could perceive me from a mile apart, but now she doesn’t even notice me two chairs away from her.What are they saying that’s so funny? She never had lunch with any guy, not even that nerd from the last time. He wouldn't dare come back to her again after last time, but this guy was new. Maybe I need to teach him a lesson, one he won’t forget."I need to know everything about him; whatever you can find, give it to me,” I said."Well, I know he’s rich, like very rich, but he doesn’t talk to anyone, and from what I heard, he is a transfer student. Some said he stabbed someone in his previous school and was expelled from school since no school would accept him; he was sent here as a last resort.”I gave it another thought: He doesn’t look like he can harm anyone, but he doesn’t
Joan’s povMom asked about everything that happened, if it was odd, but she asked only about Fred’s new bruise. I couldn’t tell her he fought a new kid; I had to play the role of a new stepsister who wouldn’t complicate herself no matter what.“He got into an argument, and you know, guys, they would probably hit each other.” She wanted to ask more questions, but I had more dare situations than answering her questions. Isaac demands I go out with him, but I can’t without permission, so I asked mom, and she agreed, which was nice till I saw him again.“So who is he to you, your new boyfriend?” Fred asked. He was seated on my bed, ice on his cheek and his legs crossed. I hated how he had access to my room, but gone are those days when I had a room all to myself with no sibling driving you to the verge of your sanity."I am talking to you, Joan; tell me, do you even know him?”“It’s none of your business. So get out of my room.” I walked into my closet, dropping my bag. I walked into the
Joan’s pov It was my first date night, and we drove all the way down to the community garden. “I hope you didn’t eat, because I brought a threat along,” he said, opening the door for me and leading me out, bewildered by the view.There was a blanket on the floor, and there was a basket on it. “I know it’s not much, but I just thought it would be better than just a normal dinner where we could sit and watch the sky together.” My heart welled up with so many emotions, and he was so considerate.“I love it!” I exclaimed.He took my hands, and we walked over to the blanket, bread, wine, some fruits, and a lot of chocolate. "I just want to get to know you more. I spent my time looking at you, and I might have made so many assumptions about you that night that are not true. So tell me yours, and I will tell you mine."I gave it some thought. There wasn’t much about me that I could tell everybody, "My dad died in an accident, my mom remarried, and I hate my new family so much.” I expected h
Joan’s pov Fear engulfed my senses as he walked into the room and locked the door behind him. “How lucky are you? Does your mom know you have three men in your pants?” he asked, closing the space between us.“Does she know how much of a slut you are?" He leaned close to kiss me, and I pushed him immediately. "I am not a slut.”"Yes, you are," he said, climbing on the bed. With my hands above my head, he kissed me, then down my neck. I tried to cry, but I couldn’t hold it, my body overwhelmed with so much disgust as he touched the mess.“Get out.” I pushed him away, but he didn't go, so I bit his ear immediately. He let me. “Feisty right, oh, you will pay dearly for it,” he said with a smile on his face. He walked out on me. What is he going to do this time?What’s going to happen to Mom? Once again, the night was long. I had no idea what he would do to mom, but he sounds really certain he was going to hurt her. What have I gotten myself into?I barely had sleep at night; everything p
Joan’s povMom was lying in the pool of her own vomit; nothing seemed to be making sense anymore. I rushed her, carrying her, but she passed out, and her vomit had a stain of blood in it."Mom, wake up.” I tapped her hurriedly in hopes that it was all some sort of game that was beginning to seem too real, but she didn't wake; she was out cold, her body stiff and heavy, and her complexion pale and lifeless.Talking on my phone I called 911, and an hour later they carried her to the hospital. What happened to her? Did she take something? What if it was Jones who had a hand in whatever happened to her? I wouldn’t forgive him if anything were to happen to my mom. What if he wasn’t the one responsible?Mom was never suicidal; oh, what am I thinking? She’s pregnant; is she worried about it? Does she want a divorce? Did she somehow find out what was going on and decide to hurt herself?The doctor came out, and I ran towards him, unabashed by my appearance. I reached out for his coat.“What i
Joan’s povMy thighs were sore, I placed my hands where it felt sore the most, and it reminded me of reasons why: I was staring at the ceiling so early, why I was so unmotivated and tired, why I didn’t want to step outside my door, my alarm danced by five this morning, and I threw it on the floor.Looking at it beside me, I see misery. It was an unlucky day, I guess. I had shattered it out of rage so early when it was doing its own task. I hated that it reminded me of another day—a day full of work and enough misery. I didn’t want to wake up, not this time or any other time.And for goodness sake, I was tired of everything. It was a Wednesday, two days before the weekend, so maybe I could lock myself up in the room. For all I care, it would be nice.But I couldn’t wait until the weekend. I didn't want to go out today; I was sick and tired, and the thought of it gave me an idea: I could call in sick for the week, which I didn’t hesitate to do. I took my phone, and I texted mom a very l
Joan povThe day went on and on. Turning on my bed, I masturbated. I watched myself in the mirror to see if anything changed. I watched a movie, but all I saw were vessels playing to a script. I felt nothing but sex. That was all I could think about: who was coming to my door, why the house was so quiet, and why I chose to stay at home.Mom was okay. She took her meds, and her husband was by her side, massaging her foot. I called in sick, but I was already tired of staying indoors.The time went by slowly, and I wished I was back at school, but it was already too late. The section for the day was closed, and it was time for students to go back home, which meant Fred was coming back as well. Don’t get me wrong, but I was elated. Maybe I needed someone to talk to—someone who I could relate to. I wasn’t in any way relating to him; I just liked his company.He didn’t sleep at home, and my first guess was that he might have slept at his girlfriend's house. I had asked Anna about their rela
Joan pov“Thank you so much, Joan; you make me happy.” He threw his ball, and guess what? All the pins fell down—a perfect shot. Unlike mine, he tosses a couple of balls, and all of them were wins. I tried mine, which came out as a disaster; it wasn’t meant for me, which I was so sure of.He talked more than I did about vacations and silly events that had happened in his lifetime. For a rich kid, he has seen some shitty things; most of them were dares and some were just child’s play, but all in one, I could sit and cling on to my sour emotions or choose my sorrows.The latter sounded pleasant, so I placed the thought of home at the back of my thoughts, and the little girl in me sprang back to life, from a bowling night to karaoke to dancing to the music in your head and a slot of soda—so much soda.The night was so blissful, I didn’t want it to end, but I forgot that I had to go back home—a home I didn’t want to be in—but it was too late, and he had to drive me back home.Just the fac