Chapter Eight: The Circumstance

Blood, fresh and weeks old was on the walls. Two damaged bodies on the floor. Eleven teens in utter disbelief, sick feelings growing in their stomachs. Justin ran over to me, and lifted me up halfway. JC’s father, Joey’s father, Justin’s father, Adriana’s father ,and Amanda’s father came in. They were all on the police force. JC’s dad had called for 2 ambulances.

“Son don’t let her go alright?” Amanda’s dad looked at Justin who couldn’t talk, so he simply nodded.

He was trying so hard to talk, but instead kissed my forehead, and held my bleeding hands. “I’m so sorry Baby Girl…” As I looked back into his eyes, I started to feel tired and relaxed all of a sudden.

“No…” I mumbled, and he kissed my nose.

“I love you. Do you know that? I love you. I can’t believe it, I barely know you, but I’m completely in love with you.” He put his forehead against mine.

“I love you too Justin…I have…for….a……………….long time.” I started to shiver in his arms, and he held me close, but loose once I flinched. He lifted my shirt slightly.

“……Baby……” He was speechless and yet I completely understood him.

“My brother…”

“Is okay.” Joey said kneeling down next to me. He kissed my hand. “You know what? You have a damn good man on your hands. He’s really missed you…”

“I…..mis…sed….him too…..”

“The ambulances are here!” Johnny and Jasemine yelled.

Once the paramedics got CB and I, everyone stood outside the house, watching as Mom and Dad were put into separate police cars.

“I can’t believe this.” Amanda said breathlessly and JC pulled her into his arms.

“They could’ve died…” Victoria’s eyes watered.

“Obviously.” Justin said coldly feeling hate in his heart. A kind of hate he never knew existed. “I’m sorry.” He looked over at her, and she nodded.

“I understand.”

“More than you know.” Jasemine said as Johnny kissed her forehead. Her tears were flowing already, and she felt so exhausted suddenly. She was relying more on Johnny then she realized.

“They’ll be okay though.” Adriana added.

“They sure will.” Christian said.

“They’re strong as hell. I mean…who knows how long this has been going on.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not even going to bother with the what if’s. Let’s just get to the memorial hospital so I can be with her. I need to be with her.” Justin said.

“I feel you man, let’s go ya’ll.” JC nodded.

~*~

“What’s going to happen to them?” Justin’s Mom asked the agents who had came to the hospital.

“We’ll have to find them a foster family.”

“And their little brother?” Justin asked, incase they’d forgotten about him.

“Will go with them, but considering Christopher’s age, we could use a program that’ll allow them security, food, and medical care for free as long as their grades stay up.”

“There’s a vacant home next t to mine, how would that work? I’d feel comfortable with them there.”

“We could arrange that…walk with us.”

“Son…go be with your girlfriend.” Justin’s dad said, and he nodded heading to my room that I shared with CB. Everyone was in there and surrounding us, but when Justin came to my bed, they made room for him to get in it.

Justin grabbed my hand. “How do you feel?” He whispered in my ear, and I nodded.

“I’m okay.”

“What about you C-Dawg!!!!?” Justin yelled to his side, even though he was less that 2 feet away.

CB laughed. “I’m pretty good. Just don’t roll onto my lil sis, cause then we gone have a problem.”

“I know man, no disrespect I don’t mean NO harm.”

Flashback…

“One day Veronica you will come to find that one of your most sad moments could allow some sunshine in them.” My birth mother said and I nodded and smiled with tears in my eyes.

“I know Mom…”

“Right now…you’re my sunshine…”

“….Why do you have to leave forever? Why did God make it so hard?”

“He’s not making it hard sweetheart, you are.”

“I don’t know how to make it easier.”

“Life’s a big test baby, it’s not meant to be easy.”

“But why not?”

“Because He needs to know who’s strong. He needs to know who’s just going to give up. You’re not one to give up or give in. I know you’ll make it. Just be careful who you talk to and who you don’t.”

“Yes…Mom.” I smiled kissing her forehead through my tears. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Flashback End…

I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. Justin kissed my cheek, and I laid my head on his chest.

“You know this is a little odd to me but, you two look really hot together.” Chris said.

“I gotta agree.” CB nodded.

“When the Chris’s unite.” Lance chuckled and everyone looked at him.

“Yeah whatever man. Anyway. I like the coupling too.” Amanda smiled.

“It’s hot.” Jasemine and Adriana said.

“No salt there.” Victoria added and Steven laughed.

“Thank you.” I smiled and Justin kissed my hand. “You’re my sunshine.”

“And you’re my only sunshine.” Justin finished.