Licensed For Evil

In Denial

Jeff's POV:

"Hey, Amy!" I called out to her as she walked past the school gate, hurriedly, as if she was being chased.

I called out again and she did not turn at all. I kept on calling her over and over again as I pushed my way through the kids already flooding the field to get to Amy.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," she snapped, "just leave me alone."

She pushed me out of her way then walked straight past me. I was not looking in her eyes but I could tell from the hurry she walked in that she was not okay. Amy is one of the most optimistic people I know.

As I watched her walk, I remembered the time she stood up for me as Bill picked on me when I was in fourth grade. Guilt filled my heart as I knew Amy as my best friend since fourth grade, she was always there for me and I was not available when she needed me.

I felt a surge of adrenaline in my blood and I ran after Amy.

When I finally got to her, I gently grabbed her arm and swung her tiny figure around to face me. She shrugged at first and tried to pull free then her muscles loosened up and she collapsed onto my chest without saying a word.

Amy's POV:

With my hands tightly wrapped around Jeff, there was nothing else on my mind. Everything just withered off of my mind and I could feel the intensity of the moment. I felt safe hugging him, that nothing could get to me. Everything was just perfect.

I totally forgot about my new stepfather, Taylor, Joanna, and Kit, my step sister and step brother respectively. I wanted to forget that we had to move out, again.

I forgot that I was no longer an only kid neither was it my mom and me alone anymore. I knew I was able to handle this, what broke my heart to pieces was the thought of moving to a bigger house. Anyone would think I am crazy to not want to move into a bigger house. On the contrary, I did fancy that, but Taylor could only get a spacious yet affordable house in Deathfall town.

I hated it. Not the town, but the moving. Mom knew I hated moving but she still let us move that far. She knew how hard it was for me to adjust to new environments, especially switching schools. I loved my stay at Bleakburn, I felt at home and had a life there. All my friends lived there. I did not want to leave and start all over again.

"Calm down, Amy," Jeff interrupted me.

Warm tears rolled down my cheeks and Jeff's shirt felt wet beneath my face. Unaware, I told Jeff everything I thought I forgot when his arms were wrapped around me.

I pulled back from the hug and wiped the tears off my face with the back of my hand. I looked up at Jeff to find him staring right into my eyes as if he saw right into my soul. My face felt like a hot oven and blush burnt through my cheeks. The moment even more awkward as Jeff maintained his stare. I looked away and put on my hoodie to hide my sun-kissed face hoping he hadn't noticed.

Jeff took my arm and gave it a light squeeze then smiled. A smile made its way across my face.

"You can talk to me any time you need to talk. I will always be here for you."

"Thank you," I said amidst a chuckle then left.

*********
"Hey honey, how was school today?" Mom called out as I made my way into the house.

I heard a voice in my brain scream:
You did not consider me when choosing to move now you ask how my day was as if to mock what I feel...

"What!" I gasped in shock as I looked at all the boxes stacked on one corner of the living room.

"Honey, I know we were not to move out until next week, but please understand it is urgent. Your da-"

"My dad is dead. Taylor is your husband, but he is not my father," I screamed.

I read the disappointment and shock on mom's face as I thoughtlessly said the words. To me, it did not matter, nothing did. Mom placed the box she had just sealed together with the rest then walked towards me. She pulled me into the house, pulled out a chair for me, and sat right opposite me. She then held my hands in hers but I pulled back then looked at her straight into the eye. I knew that I got really aggressive, but I did not care.

"Amy, I know that this is hard for you, but just trust me on this, you will adjust sooner than you expect it. Taylor got a job at Deathfall and my transfer was approved. We both start work on Monday and we need to move out today. I hope you understand the situation."

As soon as she finished, I stood up and ran straight to my room. I collapsed on the bed and began to sob. I knew I did not want to leave but I did not know exactly why.

When I felt ready to start packing up, I got off my bed and stuffed my items into the boxes in my room. No sooner had I started than Joanna walked into my room, Kit closely behind her. I turned towards them and my eyes could not help but give a slight roll before I snapped to ask what they wanted.

"We just came to see if you needed help packing up your stuff," Joanna, who was two years older than Kit but the same age as I was, replied with a broad smile across her face.

"No. I don't need your help just get out of my room!"

"Joanna, it's clear we're not needed here. Let us just leave," Kit said as he made his way out of my room giving Joanna a slight pull.

As they both left, guilt surged up my gut. I wondered why I could not be nice to Joanna and Kit yet they had nothing to do with what was happening. That made sense to me but then I heard it:
Of course, they do, why are you no longer an only child? Why is Mom's attention divided now? Why are you moving out to get a bigger house? They have everything to do with this situation.

I slowly carried my boxes to the living room avoiding any eye contact with my mom or step-siblings.

By the time we had finished, the sun was setting and darkness was soon setting in. Like everyone else, we heard a vehicle pull up in the front yard. Mom ran towards the window and turned towards as in excitement. I could guess what was next for us.