The news settled in, the house belonged to me. I had moved across to the table, and sat with all the papers spread out in front of me as I sat and thought. I had compiled a list of things I needed to do, but it depended completely on the authenticity of the letter. I dug around in my father's phonebook until I came out with the number for Joe's gym; I picked up the phone and dialled.
"Hello" I heard Joe's gruff voice
"Err, hi joe, its Scarlett" I heard Joe smile over the phone
"hey Scarlett, you arrived already, how did you get the number for the gym?" he asked genuinely happy. I breathed out nervously
"I didn't leave yet" I could hear the gym in the background
"huh, why not" I took another nervous breath, clenching my teeth
"I got arrested" the line went quiet for a moment, then he shouted "WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING" the sounds of the gym stopped at Joe's screams he took a breath which I could hear over the phone "what for, are you okay, do you need a lawyer, where are you?" his flood of questions took me by surprise
"no, no, I'm fine, I was fighting at the train station, and they caught me, I just wanted to let you know so that you didn't worry" he seemed happy to hear from me, and glad that I was still nearby, we said our goodbyes, and I got in the shower, scrubbing myself clean for the 3rd time that day.
I had barely gotten out before I heard a car pull up. Throwing on a loose crop top and joggers I trundled down to the door, towel still over my hair, rubbing it dry. I pulled the door open to be engulfed in a hug, let go, and then hugged again. When I looked up, I noticed both Nate and Joe stood in front of me. I chewed my lip, and pulled at my shirt, wishing I had thought to put on more clothes or at least some makeup on before I had come to the door. They were both looking at my bust lip and nose then my eyes, I could feel Nate looking down my body checking for injuries, while Joe looked at me sternly "fighting Scarlett, haven't I taught you better, what does your father have to say about this, where is he" Joe began looking around the room, then back to me when he didn't see him. I scratched my head
"that's sort of the thing," I looked over to Nate who was equally as angry and relieved as Joe, but considerably less confused more proud "it was him that I was fighting" they both frowned, and looked at me I sighed,
"I'll explain, do you want a drink" I said as I walked to the kitchen, busying myself with coffee cups. They both nodded and I put the kettle on, clearing away the papers on the dining room table as they sat down. I set the drinks down In front of them, then got biscuits and my own drink placing them down on the table, I settled in
"so, remember when I got suspended?" they nodded, Nate had already heard the story, but he was playing along anyway "and you asked what my dad did?" then Joe interrupted me "what does this have to do with anything?" he said impatiently
"I'm giving you back story, so remember you asked about my punishment" he sighed
"yes, and you ran out of the room right after telling us" I took a breath,
"that's because I'm a terrible liar, and you would have realized that I had lied if I didn't, anyways, I said that he shouted at me, but that's not what he did," took a breath, then looked at Joe, my resolve wavered a little as I looked over his confused expression "just, err, don't touch me"
Joe beyond confused, frowned "Scarlett, why would you need to tell me not to touch you?" before i could change my mind, or cry, I turned around and lifted what little shirt I was wearing, I didn't have a bra on, so they could see the tattoo without interruption
"you got another tattoo" Joe sounded disappointed I shook my head
"look closer" Joe came closer to me, but Nate had already seen it I heard a gasp from Joe when he realized what he was looking at
"I got lashings, that one hurt, but it wasn't the worst thing he's ever done to me" I dropped my shirt and turned around to see both Nate and Joe looking distraught
"I knew he'd hurt you, but I didn't realize, Scarlett I'm sorry" I shook my head,
"how were you supposed to know," Joe stood and looked between the two of us
"you knew, you knew and you didn't help her" Joe lunged for Nate, but I got in the way
YOU ARE READING
Memoirs Of a survivor
Action"You're an animal, you're a dog, you will always be a dog, and there's nothing you can do to change that" "You will do as you're told" "Come here and clean this up" All comments that had been shouted at Scarlett Fletcher. Her school life is bad, a...
