Demi tried to pull her hand from his but he was surprisingly strong for their age. Braden pulled her to the back of the school, keeping watch of any possible teachers looking for straggling kids still finding their way around the school. “I may not look it but I’m plenty smart.”“Yeah, then you should be smart enough to stay in class.”They reached the back gate and slipped out. Once they were down the road a little ways Braden let go of her hand. “School isn’t necessary. You’ll learn that soon enough.”“Well in order to get a job or anywhere Braden you need to have a diploma. But it’s your life you do what you want with it. where are we going?”He gave her a smirk but kept walking. “You’ll see. Soon enough.”They came upon a shabby house, the shutters were hanging crooked, the door was a dark forest green compared to the panels of the house that were a

Braden noticed the tiny smile that was blossoming on her face. “SO do you like your sister or not?”Demi didn’t say anything for a while, the school loomed over them before she actually answered. “I don’t know. And that’s the truth. How could you like someone that gets everything handed to them but then how can you hate that person because it wasn’t necessarily their fault. Well look we’re going in separate classes so see you I guess.”The bell rang, signaling it was time to change classes. Demi parted ways with Braden and went to her next subject. Braden watched her be immersed in a sea of other students. He was sure that there was more to her than she wanted others to know. Part of him was intrigued but the other part only wanted to make sure she satisfied his urges. Just like the rest of them did.He turned and headed towards the principal’s office; it was better to let his mom know that he skipped c

The two girls ate and chatted while Maxine called to talk with Delanie. “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Demi is over here with Victoria. I’ve given her fish and chips but she’s a growing girl figured she would want something else later.”“Thanks. I’ll be there to pick her up in a while. I’m a bit busy right now.”“It’s no problem we really do love having her over.” There was a pause before she said anything else. It was hard for her to say anything but figured it was better than ignoring it. “I uh… seen that Mark moved back in the house with someone else. Are you alright?”Delanie sighed, “I have to be strong for my girls but yeah he um…” she started to sniffle.Maxine moved away from the girls to have a bit of privacy. “I understand you don’t have to say anymore. Listen, I don’t know if you want to but there’s a house f

Zaine waited for her to say what was on her mind. Demi fidgeted under his gaze. “Well, what?”“Well, if I’m honest I do have another boyfriend. He knows about you and I was just asked about by another guy and again he knows about you and the other boyfriend.” She started to ramble hoping he would understand why she did this. “I didn’t want Michelle to make mines or your life worse. I know you told her you don’t like her but you gotta understand she’s been getting her way all of her life. Do you realize what that does to someone? When they finally get told no? I mean she could become unhinged plus she really doesn’t like me. I’m just basically a servant to her. And I just want to live peacefully until she graduates but that’s not a guarantee either…”Zaine placed his finger to her lips. He shushed her. “Shh, listen. I get it. I’m not happy about it but I get it. do you know

The weekend came and Demi sighed in relief. Her mom had taken the place next to Victoria and her mom. They moved once more but this time it was taken care of by a moving company rather than she do it. The girls seemed to feel as if they could breathe more, Demi more so than anyone else. Instead of getting in the way she headed off to the park to meet Zaine. “Mama, I’m going to the park.” Her mother ducked her head out of the house. “Sure, just be back before the streetlights come on.” Demi was almost out of the open door when Melanie and Madison came running up to her. “Can we come too?” “Nope, stay with mama.” They both gave her twin puppy eyes; it was different how Melanie treated her versus when she was around Michelle. “Please? Pretty, pretty please?” “But I wanted to go walk around before I go to the park. Besides you’re only like 7, your legs aren’t as developed as mines so you’ll get tired and whine and then want to come back ho