~New Family~

                                    

                                          
I won't lie; It's been really hard since I moved in with Aphmau. Don't get me wrong, Aphmau and her mom have been the absolute best; a light in the dark moment called my life right now. Think about it; they gave me a home while my dad is being hauled off to jail and my mother is in the hospital. They're giving me food and water while I cannot provide for myself. They are my family while my real family is unable to be there for me. I couldn't be more grateful.
                          
But they can only do so much for my situation. My dad is in jail for attempted murder and domestic abuse. During the interrogation, he confessed that these beatings had been happening for 4 months, since the start of school. My mother is in the hospital with deep cuts, severe bruising, broken bones, a concussion, and blood poisoning from infection getting into her cuts. The doctors say she'll make it, but everything could turn on its head and anything could happen. I like those doctors. They don't bullshit me just because I'm a freshman. They knew I could handle the information.
                          
But it's hard. It's SO hard to keep going on with life. But I have to. I told the rest of the group the news and they acted the way I expected them too; enraged at my dad and sorrowed for my mom and me. We all promised to keep my situation a secret.
                          
It wasn't easy to convince them not to tell anyone. I had to promise not to do anything rash or dangerous and to go to the counselors. I almost refused but I really didn't want my personal business with anyone but the people I trust the most. So here I am, sitting in the counselor's office, waiting for the counselor to walk in. She eventually came and we talked for a few minutes to set up future meetings and I was on my way. During that meeting, she brought up my homework situation. She wanted to know if I wanted teachers to lessen my workload. I refused. I told her I wanted to keep everything as normal as possible, workload included. She agreed with my reasoning and that was that. It was true, though. I didn't want it to seem like anything more than I was spending a few days with Aph.
                          
I finally made it outside where Sylvanna and Aphmau were waiting in their car for me to finish. 
                          
"Hey, Maddie!" Sylvanna said. Have I mentioned that I love this woman? She always tries to brighten the mood when someone is down, "How was your day?"
                          
"It went as normal as I could make it. I had to tell the rest of the group about what happened and they made me go see the counselor. I almost refused but I still went."
                          
"Well, I'm glad you did. I've been worried all day," She made me smile. It heartwarming to know so many people care about me, "Now, let's go home! I have dinner in the oven." I'm glad she didn't do anything special. She knew I wanted everything as normal as possible. I couldn't be more grateful.
                          
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I'm meeting up with a friend at the park later today," I say.
                          
"Oh, Who are you meeting?" Sylvanna asked. I detected a hint of motherly protection in her voice but I got that a lot from my mom so it didn't affect me. I decided to tease her.

                          
"A boy from school," I replied. I tried to make it blatantly obvious that I was teasing her.
                          
"I don't know how your parents felt about you hanging around boys but Aphmau here knows that I don't like a lot of boys that she makes friends with," (You can say that again, Aphmau whispered to me), "I just want you to know that, while you are living with us, I will treat you like I treat Aphmau. Including how I feel about you around boys. Now, who are you seeing?"
                          
I contemplated whether or not to give her a straight answer but I decided against it for 2 reasons: 1) I couldn't think of what to say to keep the ball rolling, and 2) Aph and her mom are already doing so much for me that I didn't want them to think that I was more trouble than I was worse.
                          
"It's Zane. We wanted to hang out at the park after school today but Zianna insisted that we both get homework done first," Wow. Now that I'm thinking about it, how come Sylvanna didn't know about this. They usually tell each other everything.
                          
"Oh. Ok then. I'm glad it's one of Zianna's boys. The only other boy I trust besides them is your not alone buddy, Travis. Just text me when you're heading home. If I don't respond, I've fallen asleep."
                          
"Ok. Thanks, mom. Oh, I m-mean Sylvanna."
                          
"Haha, It's alright dear. I just hope it doesn't bring back too many bad memories," We pulled up to the house and Sylvanna stopped the car, "Well, you two better go and change. I'll get dinner out of the oven."
                          
SO SO SO sorry for the delay guys! I had major writers block but I got passed it! Anyways, the next chapter will be really cute (I hope) but it might have some-- SPOILERS. >w< I won't say anything! Ciao~