Right There with You

by R. J. Sable

  “You could stand to gain a few pounds anyway,” he said, his voice thick with condescension.

  “I don't want to get fat,” I frowned. I mean, sure I'd like a few more curves but otherwise I was pretty happy with my weight.

  “I'd kick your ass if you did,” he joked, but I knew it was probably true. He and Karl had always been pretty tough about health and fitness. I guess it's partially because of their military backgrounds, but apparently Dad had insisted that they get involved in sports and martial arts from a young age.

  “I'd hope so,” I grinned down the phone at him.

  “Alright, I'd better go. Call Jake. I'll see you next weekend.”

  “Night, Ian.”

  “Night, Jellybean.”

  I sighed as I put my phone onto charge. He was so mercurial. I found it hard to keep up with his mood changes. One second, he was the serious Captain Carter, the next, he was my occasionally playful, caring, big brother. Karl was exactly the same, except his fuse was much, much shorter.

  I checked the clock, it was 19:15. Not too late to call Jake. It was a Friday night so he was probably out and wouldn’t answer, I mused. At least I could tell Ian I did call if he asked though. I rang twice, it went to answerphone both times so I text him instead.

  ***

  Saturday, 6th October 2012

  I treated myself to peanut butter and banana sandwiches at breakfast as a reward for my enjoyable morning run.

  “Ooh, that looks good!” Adam exclaimed as he joined me in the kitchen. “Make me one and I'll buy you lunch?” He pleaded, pouting slightly. His straight, caramel hair grazing the tops of his eyebrows only added to his adorableness.

  “For you? Anything!” I grinned at him and set about making his sandwich.

  “Cheers, Shorty!”

  His boyish charm could win over any woman, I thought to myself idly. Adam was quickly turning into one of my best friends. He was a bit of a player but he never treated me like he treated his bimbos. He treated me as if I was a sister to him and I loved it.

  I handed him his sandwich and he gave me a waist hug from his seat. I felt him slide his hand into my back pocket and slip my phone out.

  “Hey! What are you doing?” I frowned at him as I sat down.

  “Getting my fill of gossip,” he smirked at me.

  I leant over and saw him going through my text messages.

  “You're going to be sadly disappointed,” I laughed as I watched his eyes scrolling up and down through my texts.

  “God you're boring!” he joked. “Where's all the filth?”

  “Why would I have dirty text messages?” I asked rolling my eyes.

  “Why wouldn't you?” He grinned at me.

  I sighed and rolled my eyes again. “Isn't your promiscuous sex life enough? Do you have to invade mine as well?” I teased, poking him in the ribs and holding my hand out for my phone.

  He was about to hand it over when it started ringing. He glanced up at me, a wicked grin on his face.

  “Gimme!” I demanded as I lurched forwards and tried to grab my phone.

  He put his hand on my forehead, effectively keeping me at arms length. I gave up after a few seconds of waving my arms like a crazy person, crossing my arms sulkily and leaning back in my chair.

  “Hello?” He said, a big grin on his face.

  “Who is it?” I mouthed at him, but he just stood up and held is arm out at me, holding up one finger.

  “I'm Adam, who are you?” He said, sounding amused. “It's a bit early for that kind of language, don't you think?” He grinned mischievously at me.

  “Give me my phone, Adam!” I demanded, making a lunge for him. He dodged me easily but took pity on me and handed my phone over.

  “-put me on to my fucking sister!” I heard the voice snarl as I put my phone to my ear. I shot Adam an annoyed glare.

  “Hello?” I asked, wondering which one of my brothers I'd need to grovel to this time.

  “Jelly, who the fuck was that?” The voice demanded. It was Jake.

  “Sorry, Jake. That was my flatmate, Adam. He thinks he's funny,” I sighed apologetically as I glared at Adam.

  “I'm too hung over to deal with this shit,” he groaned with exasperation.

  “I'm sorry,” I apologised as I left that kitchen and headed to my room. “You have a good night I take it?” I asked, hoping to draw his attention back away from his little chat with Adam.

  “Yeah, it was alright,” he said nonchalantly. “I was just about to book train tickets. Is it the central station?”

  “I think that's closest, yeah.”

  “Alright, I'll be there around half seven on Friday evening. Meet me at the station.”

  “You're coming on Friday?” I'd just assumed he'd want to come down on the Saturday.

  “Yeah, I'd have to get up crazy early on Saturday otherwise. Besides, I have a few mates at Leeds Met. I figured I could go out with them on Friday night.”

  “Fine, I have a sleeping bag.”

  “Good, then you'll be comfortable on the floor.”

  “Jake! It's my bed!” I complained. As if I was going to let him sleep in my bed while I slept on the floor.

  “Yep, and it's really nice of you to let me sleep in it,” he laughed.

  I rolled my eyes. No point arguing over it now.

  “Who's at Leeds Met?” I asked, hoping to distract him. It was a tactic that usually worked pretty well on Jake.

  “Mark and Duff.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  George Duffner had been Jake's best friend since they were kids. He was a total moron. He and Jake were the reason I'd spent the majority of my lunchtimes trying to find new hiding places. They'd gone out of their way to make my life miserable when we were younger. I didn't fancy the idea of running into him in Leeds.

  When I was fifteen, he'd pinned me against the wall behind the cafeteria after school because I'd called him an ass. I'm not really sure what happened, one minute he was shoving me around, the next he'd tried to kiss me. I freaked out and ducked away from him. I ran out of there as fast I could. I'd not told Jake. I wasn't sure he'd believe me and didn't want to face the trouble it would have caused. Since then, he'd gone from being a slightly irritating ass, to a downright jackass.

  “Yeah, it'll be good to see them. You can come with us,” Jake interrupted me from my introspection.

  Go out with them? I'd really rather not. “No it's okay, you don't have to do that,” I said, hoping he was just saying it to be nice.

  “No, you're coming. You can even have a few drinks. I'll clear it with Ian,” he said.

  I groaned inwardly. This was Jake trying to be sweet. He was making a real effort to be nice to me. He was even willing to let me drink.

  “It won't be any fun for you, having your little sister with you on a night out.”

  “It'll be fun!” he argued. “As long as you behave yourself, we'll look after you.”

  “Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.

  “Alright, awesome. See you Friday.”

  I groaned and flopped down onto my bed, burying my head under the pillow. Convincing Ian that it would be okay to take me out into town with him would be a mammoth undertaking for Jake. He really was going out of his way to be nice to me. I supposed it could be fun; at least I knew I would be relatively safe from Duff as long as Jake was around.

  “Jamie?” a voice said and I felt a hand on my shoulder.

  I pulled the cushion off my head and rolled over. It was Adam, he'd let himself into my room, a thoroughly contrite look on his face.

  “Forgive me?” He pouted. “I was only kidding around.”

  “I know, I'm not really mad at you,” I smiled reassuringly.

  “Good,” he grinned, relaxing. “Your brother has a dirty mouth.”

  “That he does,” I giggled. “He's coming over next Friday, then we're going home together on Saturday.”

  “Cool,” he nodded.

  “Where's home for you?” I asked.
>
  “I've lived pretty much everywhere,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Lived in Birmingham for four years, that was probably the longest I stayed with the same foster family.”

  I nodded at him. I knew I didn't have the perfect family, but at least I could always count on them being there for me. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be totally alone.

  “Come on,” he said, pulling me up from the bed. “Let's go to town and mooch around before I buy you lunch.”

  Chapter 12

  Tuesday, 19th June 2001

  I ran as fast as I could across the playground and ducked in behind the wall with the goalpost painted on. I crouched down and made myself small. Please don't find me, please don't find me.

  “Jamie-Lea, why you hiding?” Jake jeered as he rounded the wall and found me.

  No, no, no.

  “That's not very nice, Jamie.” I heard Duff say.

  I looked out from between my fingers and saw them both standing in front of me.

  “We want to play, Jamie,” Duff grinned.

  I shook my head and put my hands back over my face. Just leave me alone.

  “You don't want to play?” Jake asked, he sounded mad.

  I shook my head again, pushing my back against the wall as much as I could.

  “Tough luck,” Duff sneered as he grabbed my arms. He pulled me up and held my wrists above my head.

  “No!” I protested, trying to pull my arms away from him.

  “Come on, Duff,” Jake said with a grin. “Let her go.”

  Duff looked confused but did as he was told. I looked up at Jake, he's being nice? I moved to run away before he could change his mind but Jake tripped me up and I fell into the muddy grass.

  “You're so clumsy, Jamie,” Jake laughed as he grabbed my muddy arm and pinned me face down in the grass.

  “Please, Jake,” I begged. I didn't want to cry. They'll laugh at me if I cry.

  “You hungry, Jelly?” Duff asked as he squatted down besides me.

  I was really hungry. They'd taken my packed lunch at break, even though I'd hidden under the desk in the library to eat it. They'd found me. They always find me. I didn't answer though; I knew it was a trap.

  “I think she's hungry, don't you, Jake?” Duff continued.

  I struggled, trying to get away but Jake was too heavy, he kept me pinned.

  “Yeah,” Jake grinned.

  I tried in vain to kick him off me but I missed completely. Jake shifted so that he was kneeling painfully on my legs so I couldn't try it again.

  “Open wide, Jamie,” Duff ordered, grabbing up a handful of dirt.

  I clamped my mouth shut as he tried to shove the mud into my mouth, smearing it on my face.

  “Do as your told, stupid,” Jake ordered, twisting my arm back further.

  It hurt. It hurt really bad. Stop, please stop. I refused to open my mouth.

  “Now!” Duff ordered as he twisted his knuckle between my ribs.

  I couldn't help myself, I opened my mouth and cried out at the pain. Duff grabbed my cheeks with one hand, pushing down hard and holding my mouth open. He quickly shoved a handful of mud and grass into my mouth and held my jaw shut with both hands.

  It tasted gross, and my tummy twisted. I wanted to push it out but Duff held my mouth shut. They were both laughing at me.

  “Swallow, Jamie,” Jake laughed.

  No. I don't want it in my tummy.

  “Swallow,” Duff repeated, squeezing my head hard.

  I refused, I tried to wriggle free again but I could barely move. Jake leant over and held my nose with his fingers. I realised I had no choice. The tears were spilling out and mixing with the mud underneath me. My arms and legs were burning from the pressure Jake was putting on them. I forced myself to swallow, it took several tries.

  “Aw, Jamie, that’s disgusting!” Duff shouted gleefully as he released my head.

  I sobbed uncontrollably as they both laughed at me.

  “Seriously, Jamie, you're gross,” Jake said as he stepped off me. I pulled myself up onto my hands and knees as my stomach heaved. I heard the school bell ring and Jake pushed me back over into the mud as they headed back towards the school building, laughing.

  My tummy hurts. I kept throwing up until nothing came out, and even then I couldn't stop. When it finally did stop, I stood up. The front of my skirt and polo shirt were caked with mud, my hair was full of it. My mouth tasted nasty and I couldn't stop crying. I knew I was missing class and I didn't want to get in more trouble so I went back to the building. The receptionist spotted me as I pushed open the big door.

  “Jamie-Lea!” She cried, rushing from her seat to where I was standing. “What on earth happened this time?”

  I didn't answer. I just kept sniffling. I knew Jake would be mad if I got him in trouble and I wasn’t allowed to tell lies. She took me into her office and gave me a plastic chair to sit on.

  “Let's call your brother,” she sighed, picking up the phone.

  “No!” I shouted. She can't call Karl, he'll be really mad. “Please, I want to go back to class,” I begged.

  “Jamie, you're filthy,” she admonished. “Your brother needs to come pick you up.”

  “I can wear my P.E. kit,” I pleaded.

  “But there's mud in your hair,” she said.

  “Please, he'll be so angry,” I sobbed.

  “I'm sure that's not true,” she said kindly.

  “He will, he will, he'll be really angry,” I blubbered, crying again.

  She sighed and put the phone back down. She helped me clean my hair as best she could in the bathroom, washed my face, and left me to change into my P.E. Kit.

  Chapter 13

  Saturday, 6th October 2012

  “You're sure it's not a bit too revealing?” I cringed as I checked my reflection in the mirror.

  “It looks amazing!” Adam insisted. “I'll go get Sarah.”

  He disappeared through the door and I turned around, my eyes still on the mirror. The back of the black dress scooped low to the small of my back. The front was fairly conservative. The black material was solid to above my breasts where it met with semi-opaque lace, which ran to my collarbones and over my shoulders. I clipped in a simple pair of silver earrings and matched them with a set of silver bangles. I had just finished fastening my kitten heels around my ankles when Adam came back with Sarah.

  “Gorgeous!” Sarah squealed, clasping her hands to her face. She had brought a whole armoury of make-up and hair accessories and set about on her impossible mission to make me presentable.

  Adam and I had bumped into Sarah on our way into town. I'd told them I was going out with Grayson and his friends that night and they'd insisted on finding me an outfit. I'd argued relentlessly but they outvoted me. The dress had only cost me twenty pounds in the sale, which was the last of the cash I'd been hanging onto from Craig. Sarah had demanded she be allowed to do my hair and make-up, which I was definitely not going to argue about. She'd made my hair look amazing last time.

  When she was done, I almost didn't recognise myself. My chestnut hair fell in gentle curls around my face and down my shoulders. My make-up was in soft, neutral colours that accented my cheekbones. She'd somehow made it look like I had decent eyelashes. I couldn't thank her enough.

  “You look great!” Grayson beamed at me, pulling me into a hug as he met me at the entrance to my building.

  “Thanks,” I grinned, hugging him back.

  “This is Michael and his girlfriend Jess,” he said, motioning to the two people behind him. I gave them a small wave and we made our way to the bus stop together.

  “The others are going to meet us in town,” Grayson explained as he slid onto the seat next to me. “Jamie, can I ask you something?” He asked, caution in his voice.

  “Anything,” I answered, curious as to where this was leading.

  “Is something going on between you and Reed?”

  “No,” I replied quietly, feeling my cheeks red
den. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondered, I've never seen him get this close to a girl before,” he shrugged.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Well,” he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. “I don't mean to slag the guy off, but in the few years I've known him, he's never bothered with a girl past the first night.”

  Past the first night? My face screwed up with confusion. What does he mean by that?

  “I haven't slept with him!” I blurted a little too loudly as realisation dawned. My face burnt with embarrassment. How could he think I was sleeping with Jason?

  “That's not what I meant!” Grayson said quickly. “I'm not explaining myself very well,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his tight black curls. “It’s just that after we left yours last night, he was kind of weird with me,” he explained, his brows furrowed. “I called him this morning and he was still sorta off.”

  “Oh, do you think he's pissed off with me?” I said, worry washing over me.

  “Nah, I doubt it. I just wondered if you knew something I didn't. Reed's kind of an island.”

  I hope he isn’t annoyed at me. He'd seemed fine when we were at the library on Thursday.

  Grayson led the way through the club to a table at the back of a large room on the second floor. It wasn't hard to guess which table we were heading for. The four guys sat around the table were all pretty huge. I scanned their faces briefly as we approached. I didn't recognise any of them. I let out a long breath and felt my shoulders relax. Grayson nodded at them all and bumped fists with the guy closest to us.

  “Guys, this is Jamie, Michael, and his girlfriend Jess,” he said motioning to each of us. He pointed to the men at the table and each nodded as he said their name. “Josh, Rab, Tony, and Daz.”

  Jess appeared a little intimidated as she and Michael slid into the bench beside Josh and Rab. Tony and Grayson grabbed a couple of spare chairs from the table next to us. I sat down on the bench opposite, next to Daz.

  “You want something to drink?” Grayson said, bending down to my level so that I could hear him.

  “Just a glass of water, please.”

  He nodded and made his way to the bar. Jess hopped up and followed him. Tony slid into the bench beside me and took a sip of his beer.