Last Chapter: "I grabbed it from the bedside table and, slinging the bag over my shoulder, ran back downstairs and stormed out of the house..."
Jordie's POV:
It was cold and dark outside but I couldn't have cared less. I just wanted to get as far away as possible from that house and my horrible, drunk mother. Marching away from my street, I pulled out my phone. The first thing I saw was the battery. 15%. Fuck. I would just have to conserve it. As I needed a place to stay, I opened messages and texted the only person whose parents would let me stay.
Jordie: hey man, I know it's late but I really need a place to stay tonight. My mum and Mike are doing my head in and I can't stay, any chance I could doss at yours?
As usual, he replied almost immediately.
Toby🤘🏽: so sorry man, you know I'd normally be up for it but my parents read my report and it was shittttt. They're so pissed at me right now I'm grounded and sent to my room and I'm pretty sure they'd murder me if I asked. Is it urgent or are you good?
I groaned out loud. Now what was I going to do? Firstly, I decided to text Toby back. Knowing that I didn't really have a plan, I lied and told him I was good.
Jordie: na it's fine, dw I'll just deal with them haha
I guess I'd have to go back. I turned round and looked at the house. My mum's words and the things Mike had said to Ky ran through my brain. No, there was no way I was going back there tonight. Sleeping on the streets would be better than being in that hellhole. Sighing, I ran through my options. Number one, go back. Number two, sleep on the streets. Or number four... go to Alex's. Right, that was it. I'd do that.
Forgetting all my fears, I began to march towards the station. The cold seeped through my clothing and I shivered as I walked, but the constant movement eventually warmed me up and distracted me from this incredibly dangerous idea.
I arrived at the station not too long after 9:30. It was quite empty, so I put my hood up so I didn't stick out. I knew I could pass for a fifteen year old, even a sixteen year old at a push, so I hopefully didn't look too suspicious. I checked the overhead screens for outgoing trains to Liverpool and I was in luck - there was one leaving in ten minutes. Finding my way to the ticket machine, I pulled out my wallet and paid for a ticket, one way. It was a quick transaction, but I was on a tight schedule so hurried through the ticket barriers and to the platform. I arrived with a few minutes to spare, allowing me to check I had all my belongings so I didn't make the same mistake as last time. All my things were with me and I boarded the train.
I could've easily fallen asleep during the journey. For some reason, I was really tired. Maybe it was the mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through me, burning all my energy. When the train pulled into the right station, I had to blink the drowsiness out of my eyes and heave myself out of the seat. Stepping out onto the platform, I felt a little nervous. All around me were adults, tall and unfriendly. Some were businessmen, who looked serious and some were drunks, who scared me. Trying to avoid everyone, I sped to the exit and escaped outside. Fresh air welcomed me and I was glad for it, but the cold also met me outside, which I wasn't so happy about. Rubbing my hands together, I set off in the direction of Alex's house.
It was much scarier outside. Here, I didn't have the protection of the indoors, staff and good lighting. Outside, drunk partygoers filled the streets, looking ever so dangerous as they laughed and yelled loudly and swung their bottles. I tried to sink into the shadows and I was so distracted by my eagerness to hide that it was a while before I realised that I didn't know where I was going. Cursing at myself, I pulled out my phone, only to be greeted with a flashing battery on its screen - it was dead.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What was I going to do now?
Looking around in agonising despair, I spotted some signs and decided that they would be a good place to start. I knew the address and I knew some places near it, so it was plausible that I could find my way there. Taking a deep breath, I started walking in the direction I believed it to be in.
Thirty minutes later, I was more lost than ever. In a city I wasn't used to, cold and afraid, I was getting desperate. After a little more wandering, I came across a fish and chip shop with its lights on. It was closed but there was a woman in there, so I approached it and tapped on the glass. She looked up and upon seeing me standing there, immediately went to unlock the door.
"Oh my god, you must be freezing." She said, letting me in.
"Yeah." I replied, my teeth chattering.
"Are you ok?" She asked.
"Um, not really. I'm very lost and I'm sure you can tell I'm not from here."
"Yeah I can." She laughed lightly. "Look, tell me where you're going and I can give you directions."
I told her the address and she grimaced.
"That's a long way away, hun. I don't think it's safe for a young boy like you to be walking around in the dark, late at night, for that long."
My face shrunk in despair and she noticed.
"Hey, I've got an idea. I'll call you an Uber, they'll be here in no time and it'll be super easy and safe for you."
My eyes lit up. "Are you sure? Uber's cost money and I don't have any left." It was true. I'd spent the last few coins in my wallet on the train fare.
"It's no problem, I promise."
"Thank you so much, thank you. Can I get the name of this place and your name please? I don't live here but my dad does and I promise you he'll repay you."
"It's fine, honestly."
"Please, I'll feel bad if I don't."
She gave in and wrote her name and the name of the shop on a napkin, before handing it over to me.
"I'll go book one now." She said, walking over to her phone.
The Uber came a few minutes later. I waved the woman off and jumped in. It took a while to get to Alex's house; the woman was right about it being far away. There was no way I could've walked that far in the dark. It was very late when the car dropped me off, outside the house. I thanked the driver and hopped out. As he drove off, I ascended the driveway, climbing through the hole by the gate that I had crept through before. Minutes later, I was stood at Alex's door. Suddenly, I was filled with fear. What would they say to me? Surely they'd be furious. And my mum... she'd be livid, there was no doubt about it.
There was nothing I could do about it now. I pressed the doorbell and waited for them to come to the door. It swung open less than a minute later. Standing in front of me was a worried looking Alex, dressed in just joggers and a t-shirt and clutching his phone to his ear. At the sight of me, his eyes widened, shocked, before he pounced on me, enveloping me in the tightest hug I'd ever had.
"Jordie!" He cried, before speaking into the phone. "Vanessa, I've got him. He's safe, I'll call you back." I heard him hang up. So he'd been worried, angry maybe.
"Jordie where on earth have you been?" He said, releasing me from his grip. Luckily, his tone indicated he was more worried than angry.
"Just on my way here really." I replied, vaguely.
"You could've been kidnapped or attacked or something Jordie, that was so dangerous. Oh my god, how did you even get here?"
"Train."
"Oh god, I'm so glad you're safe. You can't do this to me son, I was so scared." He dragged me inside and closed the door. "Perrie, he's here! We've found him!"
I heard the sound of feet on the staircase before Perrie rushed inside and ran towards me, hugging me tighter than my own mother ever had.
"Jordie, we've been so worried. What were you thinking?"
I felt a little bad. "I don't know, I just couldn't be in that house any more. I'm sorry for scaring you all, but I feel so much safer and more welcome here."
"You're always welcome here bud, but why didn't you even call?"
"My phone died." I replied sheepishly.
"Well you'll have to get your battery replaced then." Alex smiled weakly. "At least you're safe now."
"Jordie, what are you going to do about school tomorrow?" Asked Perrie.
Oops, I hadn't really thought about school.
"It's already past midnight and by the time we'd get you home, you'd have next to no sleep. It's just not possible. You're just going to have to miss it tomorrow Jord." Said Alex. I smiled a little and unfortunately he saw it and carried on speaking. "And that's not a good thing. Education is important Jord, and you'll be missing some because of this stupid stunt."
I bowed my head shamefully.
"I'll go call Vanessa back." Said Alex and he wandered out of the room. Perrie led me to a chair and got me a glass of water. As I gulped it down thirstily, she sat down opposite me.
"What happened Jordie?" She asked, not nosily, just sympathetically. So I told her - about the things that Mike had said, how my mum had reacted, her taking my phone: the only communication I had with Alex away from me and the things she had said just before I left. Perrie listened patiently and when I was done, she simply hugged me. As she let me go, she said "I'm so sorry Jordie, you can stay here overnight and you just focus on getting some sleep. We'll sort all of this out tomorrow, ok babe?"
I nodded. "I'm sorry for getting you stressed out, especially when you're pregnant." I mumbled.
"Don't worry about it Jordie." She smiled. Alex walked back in.
"Vanessa wants him back now but I refused, she's drunk anyway. Sorry Jordie, I think we'll both be in trouble tomorrow."
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the door. It was Lillie, dressed in pink pyjamas and holding a stuffed bear. She looked tired and confused.
"What's happening?" She mumbled. Perrie immediately walked over to her and picked her up.
"Nothing baby, it's very late though so you need to go back to bed, ok?" She said as Lillie cuddled into her chest.
"Why is Jordie here?" She asked drowsily.
"He's staying the night."
"Can he give me a goodnight hug?" Lillie requested and Perrie reluctantly complied, walking over to me. I took the toddler from Perrie and gave her a squeeze before giving her back to her mother. Alex kissed his daughter on the forehead before Perrie left and took her upstairs.
"I think you need to go to bed too mate." Said Alex and I nodded sleepily. He led me up the stairs and into the room I'd slept in before. Wishing me goodnight, he left me to get changed. I crashed into bed and went over the events of the night. It'd been a crazy adventure, but not crazy enough to keep me awake as it was the early hours of the morning and I was incredibly tired. Before I knew it, I had dozed off and was dreaming of how I was going to explain the situation to my mum.
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Hope you enjoyed reading! As always, tysm for your support and don't forget to read, vote and comment x