Chapter Seven: A Case of Loneliness Love

*Two Weeks Later

“What time is it?” Steven asked looking at Victoria who looked at Christian who looked at Adriana who looked at Johnny who looked at Steven.“…But I asked the question!”

“It’s 4.” Justin shook his head with a small smile.

“That’s the first time in 2 weeks you’ve smiled.” Amanda pointed out, and he nodded.

“That’s true dude.” JC said looking at Justin. “Do you know where she lives? We could go see her.”

“I don’t.” Justin answered solemnly.

“Well we can find out.” Joey smiled as De’Shawn walked past. “Hey! We need a small favor Dee.”

“Yeah? What’s up?” His eyebrows were raised and his guard was up.

“We need Veronica’s home address.” Chris said.

“And why would I give that to you?”

“Because you don’t want to spend the rest of the school year crying to Mommy wondering what was in your lunch, who threw your test out, why your gym clothes keep going up in flames, why your grades changed so suddenly…shall I go on?” Johnny asked, and Jasemine blushed a little. The small grin on his face made her feel bubbly.

“Alright fine. It’s 1817 on Crane Street.” He sighed feeling a little hot headed. He never liked when people threatened his school career.

“Thank you.” They all said in unison.

Everyone headed out to their cars and sped off like a crazed group of teenagers…wait they were a crazed group of teenagers.

“So you feeling addicted buddy?” JC asked looking over at Justin who was keep his eyes on the road instead of Amanda’s grouping hands on his friend.

“What kind of question is that?”

“A legit one.”

“A stupid one.” Justin corrected. “But if you’re one of the people who like to call love an addiction, then yes…”

“It’s amazing how you two never spent time together, but you love her.”

“Jace you have no idea what we’ve done.”

“I’m not even going to say how that sounded.” Amanda said.

“Well I can guarantee what you’re doing to him now, wasn’t what occurred.” Justin grinned and she blushed a little. “It’s so cute when you girls blush, it’s like you feel like you’re in trouble and you’re not.”

“Shut up.”

“I think it’s cute.” JC chuckled softly. “She’s a pretty lady.”

“Yes she is.” Justin agreed sweetly and Amanda smiled.

“Thank you both. So how far away are we?”

“Ten minutes, 45 seconds, and 30 milliseconds.” JC spat out.

“Damn, math must be your favorite class.” Justin laughed.

“That was pretty crazy.”

“Indeed it was.” JC said astounded by his own answer.

“The weird part is, he was right Amanda.” Justin glanced at his GPS navigation panal. “You are a freak. I just turned that shit on.”

“Thank you, I am a freak.” JC grinned, and Justin rolled his eyes like a girl and smacked his lips.

Amanda’s cell phone rang and she answered it. It was Jasemine. “Hey lady.”

“Hey Amanda. Um…how far is these peoples home-sa-sees?”

“9 minutes away now.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“What are we going to do for 9 minutes girl?!” Jasemine laughed.

“Mess with our sexified boyfriends?” Amanda offered, receiving a loud giggle from the other end of the phone. “Well it sounds like it’s working the other way around for you Miss Thang.”

“That is possibly Missy.”

“Well I’ll leave you to it.”

~Meanwhile~

“Dad…I can’t…” I looked down at my bleeding fingertips. “I didn’t mean to throw it out, I thought you were done with it. Mom asked me to clean up.”

“Get up.” I stood up straight, and he shoved me into the wall. “I’m so tired of you and your brother getting everything wrong.”

“I-“

“And talking back.” He slapped me. “You’ve been out of school for 2 weeks, and in those 2 weeks I did my best to discipline you two.”

“You could never do that.” CB said coming over to us. We were both happy Daniel was gone for the next 3 days. He was staying with Grandma, but the downside was, the abuse heightens during the few days he’s gone.

“Dad can I ask you something?”

“What?” He barked at CB.

“Do you feel like more of a man when you beat a woman?”

The darkest and coldest eyes turned to him, and brutal blows took place afterward. I ran for the phone, and my Mom grabbed me and started chocking me.

The doorbell rang 35 seconds later when I was already feeling lightheaded. She slammed me into the wall before going to answer the door.

“Hello!” A smile formed on her face and her voice was so cheerful.

“Hi.” I heard Justin’s voice and my heart fluttered. Dad had put CB on the couch under the covers, so his feet were in the doorway, not his face which would show the pain his body was feeling. Dad came over to me, and covered my mouth noticing I was about to scream in pain.

“And who are you here for?”

“Veronica and Chris.”

“Hmmm they’re a little busy.”

“Doing what?” Johnny asked coming forward.

“Cleaning.”

“Sure they are.” Jasemine said. “For 2 weeks, they’ve cleaned. This is a big ass house, yes, but…what are they really doing?”

“More like what are you doing?” Steven asked, and JC tapped him to let him know their parents were coming.

They all heard a faint cry in the room.

“You kids…I’ll let them know you dropped by.” Mom rushed.

“No…” CB whispered faintly, but everyone could hear them. They all looked at each other, and rushed into the house.