Chapter 42.

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CHAPTER 42: a holiday

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"Jaxon, I swear to God if you dare insult me like that again, I will shove your head so far up your ass." I turned suddenly, a surprised look on my face when I heard Nicole snap. She was too busy having Jaxon's head in a headlock to pay attention to me, but I could tell he was struggling. I mean, he deserved it. It wasn't obvious as to what he said, but it resembled something like 'hair looking like a bird's nest'.

"Hey, sugartits, can you help me with something?" Michael asked me as I looked up to see him struggling with his books. I placed my lip balm away and walked over to him, holding my hands out to take some books from him so he can get his stuff sorted out. Recently, the teachers have really been harsh on us, setting us as much work before the end of the year. Michael's been given the absolute lot by our English teacher, "thank you."

I smiled up at him as he finally sorted out his bag and I handed the books back to him. We were all heading out to the field before the winter weather takes away the nice warmth of the place. All of us, well, except Owen and Darren were heading there. I still had a feeling he wasn't done with Darren's punishment. I'll admit that Darren was like a brother to Owen, but his behaviour didn't excuse anything. He deserved it and I don't care what people say, it's true.

"Oh, where's Owen, B? Isn't he coming?" Coco asked as she sat down on the grass that now had gained back it's colour due to the cooler environment and wet weather a couple of days ago. It was a vibrant green that would soon disappear when Winter came. I shrugged and before I could speak up, Kelly does so herself.

"Still killing Darren I expect," she said as we all settled in a small circle, our bags scattered around with our books. Cass was reading through a book on the history of the French Revolution whilst Coco was getting her math book out from her bag. The air was still a bit awkward even after Kelly gave Darren the know-how. Darren hasn't been hanging around us that much anymore and instead, stayed with Michael whenever he wasn't with us. I guess he's a bit embarrassed.

"Well, wherever he is, he better hurry up. We have a chemistry test next and I bet you fifty dollars he hasn't studied for it," I retorted playfully with a smile. Owen never studies, but yet he gets one of the best scores in the class. He's got some of that magic in his head, I bet. To be honest, he always was smart and good at problem solving. Either that or he cheats, but I know he'll just wonder 'what is the point of cheating?'

I settled into a good conversation with Coco and Nicole as we spoke about winter break. Mom was away again on a business trip, but she was coming back for Christmas a few days before Christmas Day so I had two weeks to kill by myself. We had the idea of going away for a while, maybe for a weekend or a week at Nicole's parents' cabin. Oh, it wasn't really a cabin. It was like a mansion made out of wood, but there was enough room for all of us.

Going away from Summer View would be nice. I wasn't born here, but I've lived here for most of my life so it was all the same to me. To see a different environment or smell a different air, that would be relieving, but I'm worried that all this Liam business might get in the way of us enjoying ourselves. Coco said that all of this should be over before Christmas so we shouldn't worry and we settled on the second week of December for the going away trip to happen.

Our idea soon spread to the rest of the group as more people got interested. They all asked when it was, what to bring, whether there will be enough room. Soon, Michael was coming along on the trip as well as Cass as soon as she asks her parents that is. Jaxon was definitely coming because like he'd waste an opportunity to see snow again. Owen was most probably going to come, you know, to keep an eye on his brother. Kelly's decided to join us but is staying clear of Darren at any cost.

"Okay, well, since a lot of us are coming, we might have to share rooms. Brielle, who would you like to bunk with—oh, who am I kidding? Everyone just about knows you'll bunk with Owen." she scoffed, rolling her eyes as I just stared at her with my jaw unhinged.

Bunking with Owen didn't sound so bad, to be honest. It was just the constant reminder that everyone else had dirty minds and were more likely to think Owen fucked me senseless every night we're there. Not my thoughts, but their's. I shrugged before flicking my hair back over my shoulder.

"I don't mind who I share with as long as it isn't Michael or Jaxon. Sorry boys, but first of all, I'm taken. Second of all, Jaxon stinks and third of all, Michael, I treat you too much like a brother." both the boys just grinned and threw me a thumbs up before focusing on the previous conversation, "also, I don't think Owen would actually approve of that."

My mind soon drifted back to Owen's whereabouts. What the hell was taking him so long? I was like a mother waiting for her son to come home after he missed curfew and ew, I will never think like that about my boyfriend again.

"Right, so I'll just text my parents about it and the date for going is the end of the second week of December so the fourteenth, okay? I don't exactly know what we'll do so just pack whatever you want. Brielle, if I send you the directions, do you think you can send them to Owen so he can drive some of us there?"

I nodded in response and she gets up to call her parents. This trip was going to be fun. I can already tell it's going to be. Just a few days without any adults and enough time to let loose without having to worry about Liam or the Fire Devils.

"Kelly, I know you don't want Darren there, but maybe this holiday is what you guys need to make amends. Please, it'll be fun and if you guys argue again, then that's fine. Just avoid each other. It is a big house after all. I highly doubt you'll run into each other that often." Nicole was busy explaining to Kelly that going on this trip would be beneficial to her and to be honest, getting away from this town and drama would be nice for her and Darren.

Owen's gang was on the brink of a gang war against Liam's gang, the Fire Devils so getting away from it all should benefit all of our safety. Whether he wanted to come along was his decision, but he's been so stressed out the past few days. He needed to relax and even if it was a risk to have him away from the gang, all them coped fine before he was the leader and when Alfonso temporarily ruled. What exactly was the difference there?

Alfonso spent years working under the influence of former gang leader, Damian Bowers. They spent years together, meeting at college so in a sense, he knows how the mind of a leader works. He's surrounded himself with that kind of life so if anyone knew how a gang is ran then he does.

"I don't want to bring my problems there though," Kelly mumbled as Nicole quickly shook her head in response, "I'm going to put them aside for you, but if he fucking starts, I'm not holding back."

"I understand that. Don't worry because I'm sure Owen's going to make sure he keeps in line there," she spoke as she picked up a bit of grass and ripped it up into little pieces, "hey, B. Is Owe picking you up after school? If not, we can go back my place and talk about planning the rest of this trip."

Me and Michael halted our conversation as my eyes drifted up to meet her's. I would love to help her plan the rest of this, but I felt on edge. I felt as if I needed to go home and make sure mom was okay even if I knew she was. Nothing would happen to her because she was clearly enjoying herself. I simply shrugged in response before speaking up.

"I can't make it tonight. Worried about mom and I just need to make sure she's doing fine," I told her as she nodded. Everyone knows how shit I've been feeling since this Jeremy and Liam drama started. I've been looking over my shoulder more often, checking on mom every few hours and making sure she's alright. This just felt horrible. I hated looking over my shoulder and I found it annoying when the littlest of things scared me, "sorry, I'm sure Cassidy can help you—"

"Afraid not, I've got dance class tonight. Competition's just around the corner and I need to be on top form if I'm going to bag that trophy," she muttered with a small smirk on her face. Cass may act as if she doesn't stand a chance against her competitors, but in reality, she's already won before she's started. I wouldn't be surprised if she became a dancer when she's older.

"It's fine, Nicole. I can make it after school, but you'll have to give me a lift back to my house," Michael spoke as Nicole nodded excitedly. Michael was free just about any time you need him. His parents often weren't at home so he could get away with just about anything and I know he spends the majority of his time at the leisure centre doing swimming.


When I got back to the gang compound, Owen went to check on the dogs and I went to the house to check on mom. There was music coming from the nearby open window and I arched an eyebrow up in response. What is that woman doing? She sounds like she's having a blast in there.

I walked into the house and through into the living room, my jaw dropping at the sight in front of me. There was mom in the middle of the room dancing with Owen's dog, Jasmine. She had a small bag of dog treats in her hand that she reached into to give a small piece to Jasmine every so often.

If she carries on with that, Jasmine won't ever want my mom to leave. The music was blaring from my mom's phone as she barely took any notice of me until I coughed a few times. My mother—who was never usually shocked by anything—jumped before taking the sight of me in.

"Oh, sorry, love. I was just—uhm, just—" she stuttered first the right words as I rolled my eyes in response.

"Save it, mom. I saw it all and for the record, that's why Jasmine's getting fat because you keep feeding her," I told my mother as I sat down upon the leather seat. Jasmine jumped onto my lap and curled herself up against me. Her tail was wagging against me every so often as she simply stared around her.

"She's not that fat," my mother retorted, taking a good look at the dog before shaking her head, "she's just a bit thick. I mean, you should've seen me after I gave birth to you—"

"Hey, don't start bringing my birth into this, mom. Admit it, she's gaining a few pounds and I don't think that's because she's carrying puppies." my mother huffed in response before settling in the seat across me, "by the way, Nicole's planned this small trip at her parents' cabin. Do you mind if I went with her and a few friends? I don't really want to leave you here by yourself—"

"Oh, don't stress yourself, love. I have Kiara so it should be fine. Really, I think you should go. It would help you chill for a bit without drama looming over you." sometimes my mother really wanted me to chill out because she thought I shouldn't be this stressed out at my age. I didn't really want to leave her on her own, but she does have the rest of the gang to look out for her."

"I insist that you go, love, but if there's any trouble, come straight home, okay?" I nodded in response as she placed a small kiss on my forehead, "at your age, you should be enjoying yourself. Having fun like I was. Although, that's how I ended up going to a private school in the first place. Bad habits really didn't get me anywhere."

"What was school like for you? I know you went pretty hard sometimes and I'm sure you weren't the easiest of students to teach," I spoke as she giggled, shaking her head before a small smile took over her face.

"Oh, love, if I could repeat all of again, I would. Even the parts where I got shouted at by my parents. They were well brought up people from a simple background. Dad met my mother at work and they just clicked, got married and had me and my brother. Obviously, you don't see your Uncle Joe that often, but he was a great guy—sometimes a party pooper but joined in often. He did not get on with your father and he was older than me so he was protective." I listened contently to the story my mom told me, all the while, the same smile on her face widening.

"What about piano?" I asked as she nodded eagerly, snickering behind her hands.

"I've always liked piano. My dad used to play and whenever he practised at family events, I joined in. Piano lessons were the only thing that could keep me sane during the times my parents went on and on. I've always been trouble, but when I grew up, I started realising that times were changing and I needed to make sure I fixed my act up if I didn't want to be living with my parents in my late twenties." she looked at me, a small smile on her face as she continued, "after I gave birth to you, you were such a precious little thing in my arms. I wanted to keep you safe. I fell in love the moment I saw your face and I just knew—I knew you were going to be a force of nature when you grew up. Just like me."

Ever since I was a child, I've always wanted to be like my mother. Whenever I watched her work or cook and saw how effortlessly she did it, I wanted to have her stamina, her thirst for hard work and her time and patience with me. Most of my mom's work was by herself because she worked a separate job to my dad and they didn't see each other until the evenings. I watched my mother do so much work, I almost didn't notice how hard my dad worked as well. Well, until he lost his job and went a bit crazy.

"I mean, I am a quite the force to be reckoned with," I spoke as she chuckled loudly, "but seriously, mom. Are you sure you're okay with me going on this trip?"

"Of course, I am. Love, don't worry about me. I'm not going to miraculously disappear into thin air, am I? I have so much to do to entertain myself here. You're young and you need to enjoy yourself whilst you still can." my mom has always been supportive of my decisions and has not once judged my choices. I smiled happily at her as we settled into a nice conversation that settled for the rest of the late afternoon to dinner time.

END OF CHAPTER 42

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[hey, guys. this coronavirus issue has obviously caused a lot of problems in my country—UK—but i would just like to say wherever you are in the world, whether it's in a really infected area or not that i wish all of you good health no matter what. i'm sending my prayers out to all of you out there.

onto a better note, a new chapter is up. i hope you enjoyed reading it even if it's basically the most irrelevant chapter in the book lol. i felt as if it had been ages since i updated so i felt i had to put something up for you guys. at least you get to know some of the other supporting characters.

anyway, i hope you're all okay and good health to those involved with the coronavirus. p.s. my school might be closed for a month next week, but i'm not sure. the government are having a meeting right now—17:00–so i should know everything happening soon. if school is cancelled, my school work will all be online and i'd be isolated at home.]

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