I try to avoid him for the rest of the day but as if he has a tracking device on me he finds me. It was now gym time, and class was letting out. He waited by the gym doors for me, and once I saw him I tensed up.

"Are you okay?" My friend Austin asks me.

"Yeah I'm fine..." I respond as I look back at Jalonni who is looking at me and tapping his watch. Which symbolizes that he's getting impatient.

"I-I have to go..." I say to Austin quickly before turning to leave. Once I get near Jalonni he pats my back but to most people it looks like he is casually holding my shoulder, but he's really squeezing my neck roughly.

"Jalonni don't----" I start as he punches me in the chest two times as we are walking away from the gym.

Every time we walked past someone he would dap them, and say hey then resume his abuse.

He punches me again in the chest and I wimper. "Jalonni stop pl---"

"Shut the fuck up.." He whispers and I do as I'm told. "You want to play lil games and shit I got your ass check and mate."

I try not to cry loudly because I know it would only escalate once we get home. I had to find a way to stall. "I have to stay after today.." I lie hoping he wouldn't question it.

"For who.." He asks removing his hand from my neck finally.

"Mr. Mart" I quickly say.

"How long?" He heaves.

"Until 6" I lie. "I'm doing super bad in his class." I lie again.

"You better not be lying to me Hyden.." he says through gritted teeth.

"I aren't, I me- I mean I'm not" I say as the twitch begins to vigorate.

"Okay I want you home at 6:10" He demands.

"But the busses don't leave until--"

"I don't fucking care about that you leave at 5:45" He urges me.

"Why are you doing--"

He grabs my face, and holds my lips together. "I swear if you don't shut the fuck up right now, La'rey will take the ass beating for you..." He says and instantly I oblige with his commands.

He motions for me to leave, and quickly walk off. Once I get back into the school, I quickly walk towards the boys locker room. I didn't want to let my tears escape in front of anyone other than me. Once I got inside I threw my bookbag at one of the lockers, and sat on one of the benches inside the locker room. I start to sob loudly letting my cries echo throughout the locker room. I tried to wipe away each fallen tear as they fell. I briefly stopped once I heard a locker quietly shut.

"Who's there?" I ask stopping my sob session.

"I'm sorry I---" The voice says coming around the corner. "Mahyden.." He says surprisingly.

I sigh. "Oh Theo.." I place my head in my hands.

"Are you okay?" He asks walking over towards the bench to comfort me.

"I'm fine.." I wave him off.

"No you aren't what is wrong?" He pushes me to answer.

I stand up from the bench to grab my bookbag. "Just let me be.."

He grabs my arm softly. "You know I'm not going to do that?" He admits.

I look at him with watery eyes. "Why won't you?" I ask.

"Because something about you won't allow me to." He say wiping the dried tears from my face.

I smile slightly. "Really?" I ask.

"Definitly.." He smiles.

Theo has always been my rock through my emotions. "Thanks Theodore..." I laugh.

"Ehh. We can do without the full name calling." He says and I laugh.

I lick my lips because I felt that they were dry, and that wasn't classy. We stand in silence for a minute before he breaks the awkwardness.

"So where were you headed?" He asks.

"Ugh... I guess I'll be going home now."

"Why? The day is still young." He asks.

"I guess." I shrug.

"Let's go to Mcdonalds.." He mentions.

"Cute place for a first date..." I laugh.

"Come on we're sophomores. It's either we rocking or we aren't..." He says confidently.

I lose all fear of Jalonni when I'm around Theo. I want so bad to take it to that level with him, but it would only end up in turmoil because I belong to someone else by a big default. I can't drag him into my fucked up drama.

"I can't I really should be going. I have to be home at....." I look down at my watch noticing it's now 6:05 it's a 20 minute walk/drive from here to where home is. "I'll have to talk to you later Theo..." I try to rush the conversation.

"Wait.. can I get your number?" He asks.

"Yellow pages should have it..." I quickly respond while running out of the gym.

"Very funny..." He shouts back.

I run through the gym doors in a fast motion. I quickly try to exit the school, so I can be home in time, but I know this wouldn't be the case. I'm running through the halls when the principal stops me.

"Whoa there son... Why are you running through my hallways?" He asks me.

"I'm sorry sir. I just have urgent business to handle." I try to quickly explain.

"Such as?" He asks.

"Urgent... PRIVATE. Family business." I emphasize.

"Are you getting smart with me son? Because I do have the authority to--"

"Yeah yeah give me detention, suspend me, and blah blah. No offense sir but school is out, and I'm technically not on your time. I have to go..." With that I quickly rush past him out of the side doors.

I try to run, jog, and speed walk but it seemed like time was constantly speeding by. I walk still speed walking once I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket I stopped dead in my tracks.

It was a call from the house phone. I instantly got nervous as I answered the call. "Hello." I say nervously.

"Hyden....." Faizon said into the phone.

"Yes Faizon what is it?." I ask as I nervously start to shake my leg, and continue walking.

"When are you coming home? Lonnis being mean to La'rey." He says and my heart stops.

"Wh-What is he doing to him? And are you okay?" I ask as I speed up my pace once more.

"He keeps using bad words, and slapping him upside the head, and pinching him." Faizon explains.

"Has he hurt you?" I ask.

"No. He told me to go watch TV"

By Faizon being the youngest I would imagine Jalonni wouldn't touch him. "Big bro will be home shortly okay?"

"Hurry." He says before hanging up.

I glance down at the time as I watch the call ends, and it is now 6:23. I walk the last block, then I finally reach my house. I stand in front of the door when I hear La'rey crying. I quickly put the key into the door, and I swing the door open. "STOP!" I scream to Jalonni who has his belt in the air. "Faizon and La'rey upstairs now!" I demand them. La'rey runs over and hugs me tightly while crying. "It's okay... I'll be up with you guys in a few."

After they go upstairs I turn to Jalonni who is staring at me as if he's determining his next move.

"Why are they here?" I ask pissed off.

"I went and got them since I missed my little brothers.." He remarks.

"You had no right. Do what you will to me but don't fucking touch my little brothers... " I scream angrily.

He charges me, and grabs me by face slamming his lips against mines. I punch his chest and try to push him back but he's too strong. "Mmm Get off." I mumble.

"You got mouth and tude today.. I'm about to fuck that out of you..."

**************

After he finishes he collapses on top of me. I kept my eyes shut tight the whole time. I wouldn't dare give him the pleasure of looking me in my eyes while raping me. He pulls out of me, and my body is very sore. My hole feels like it has just been ripped apart, and blood is dripping down my leg. My whimpers escape softly, as he pulls his condom off, and walks to the bathroom to go clean up. I get up with a sheet around me, and I go to take a bath. I peek inside La'rey & Faizon's room, and they are playing their x-box without a care in the world. I quietly shut the door, then walk towards my room. I shut the door, and walk into my bathroom. I turn the water on, and feel the warmth so it'll be just right for me to get in.

"I hear Jalonni knocking on Faizon and La'rey's door, and I quickly go to my door to investigate. They open the door, and he walks in. I quietly tip-toe towards the door, and I hear him talking.

"Hey little bros. Big brother is sorry for hurting you two. I love both of you so much y'all just don't understand.." He explains to them.

"Do you love Hyden too?" La'rey asks.

"Of course. I love him a whole bunch. He may not see it most of the time. I just want what's best for all of us. Mahyden and I try to give you two the best childhood ever, the ones we couldn't have. I don't mean to hurt Mahyden sometimes I just do." I roll my eyes at his Grade A explanation.

"Mahyden come in here..." He says and I instantly get startled.

I walk in still with the sheet around me, and I have my head down.

"Why are you creeping?" Jalonni asks me.

"I wasn't I just---"

"They're fine. I apologize to you all. Does everyone accept my apology?" He asks.

Faizon nods yes and La'rey gives him a hug and a kiss. He then looks at me. "What about you?"

I look at Faizon and La'rey knowing I need to be strong for them. "Yes I do..."I finally say.

Jalonni smiles from ear to ear. "Group hug..."

I roll my eyes and walk over to them and we all share a big hug. Jalonni low key grabs my ass and I look up at him as he licks his lips. "I knew you were full of shit." I mouth the words, and I roll my eyes as I leave.

I go back into my room, and I notice the water is still running. I run into the bathroom, and my water is overflowing onto the floor. "My damn day just won't get any better". I groan as I get some towels together to seep up the water. Some type of life I live.