Tough
You Should Have Seen Us When We Were Younger
I love spending time with Miss Harding and I wished that today wasn't our last day together. even though I somehow convinced her to take the long way to Huntington Beach and stop a few places along the way just to make our time together longer, it seemed to go by fast. I didn't want this to be the last time I see her. She's so good to me. I looked out the window and seen the welcome sign as we entered California. My heart sank because I knew it was only 2 more hours until we hit Huntington Beach. I sat up in my seat better and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.
"Welcome back."
"How long was I asleep?" I asked yawning.
"Almost 3 hours. Do you want to stop and eat before you get home?"
"No I can wait 2 hours." I said. I looked at the scenery as we drove past. The place looked alright but a part of me didn't want to go live with this family. I just wish I could live with Miss Harding. I laid my head back against the window and went back to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I felt a nudge to my shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes.
"Wake up. We're in Huntington Beach."
"Already?" I asked.
"Sadly yes. I called your new family while you were asleep and told them that we would be there in a matter of minutes."
"Oh. You're still not going to tell me who this family is are you?" I asked. The smell of the ocean filled my nose.
"Nope can't do that."
"Oh come on!" I said pouting.
"Sorry but don't worry you'll see soon enough."
"You're no fun at all." I said crossing my arms. I could hear Miss Harding laughing lightly at me. We pulled into the driveway of a 2 story house not even 2 minutes after or conversation. Miss Harding shut off the car and helped me with my things before heading to the door. I turned around looking over the place and hearing the ocean waves crash into the shore. The neighborhood looked nice but the huge houses looked expensive.
"Jo Harding! How are you?"
"I'm doing good Matt." Miss Harding said. I turned around and came face to face with M. Shadows.
"So this is Raelyx?"
"The one and only." Miss Harding said smiling.
"Y-you're M. Shadows!" I was completely awestruck.
"That I am. I see you're a fan." He smiled at me showing his dimples.
"Hell yeah!" I said smiling.
"Well come on in. I'll show you to your room so you can get settled in. Oh and sweet name by the way." He grabbed my bags and I followed him up the stairs where he opened a door. I loved the way the room looked! Black was everywhere and he had posters of my favorite bands all hanging on the wall and they were even signed!
"Miss Harding told me what you liked. Do you like it?"
"I love it!" I said smiling. Matt sat my things down on the bed and opened another door.
"This is your bathroom so you wont have to share one and this room has a huge closet for all your stuff. Go ahead and get unpacked while I talk to Miss Harding. Feel free to come down and join us when you're all finished.
"Alright." I said as he left the room. I started unpacking and hanging up my clothes in the closet and putting everything else where it belonged. I think I'm really going to like living here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATT'S POV~~~~~~~~~
"I think she really likes it here Matt."
"I hope so. So...Jo how you been?" I asked as we entered the kitchen.
"I'm doing good. I've been mostly busy trying to find Raelyx a home. That girl is hell on Christian-based families."
"Really?" I asked sitting down.
"Oh yeah. The family she was just with took her to church Sunday and she stood in front of the entire congregation and told them off. I wish I could have seen that."
"Me too! I bet that was fucking hilarious." I said laughing.
"How are you and Val doing?"
"We are wonderful. How about you and Bill?" I asked.
"We're still having our problems. I was going to adopt Raelyx myself but I don't want her around our fights. They get bad at times."
"Why don't you divorce him?" I asked getting up and grabbing 2 sodas from the fridge.
"The thought has crossed my mind many times Matt but I...I still love him."
"I know. Love is hard to break away from. Especially when it's someone you've been with for a very long time." I said drinking my soda.
"Yeah...So anyways, where's Val?"
"She's with her sister Michelle, Lacy, and Leana. I think they said something about shopping." I said shaking my head.
"Gena not with them?"
"No and she won't ever be again." I said pulling out a smoke and lighting it.
"Whys that?"
"She cheated on Zacky. She admitted to cheating on him ever since we left on that 6 month tour." I explained.
"Oh wow. How is he taking it?"
"He's broken up about it. I'm having the guys to get him and bring him over here. We're grilling out if you'd like to stay?" I said.
"I really would like too but I just came to get her settled in and tell you a little but about her."
"I'm all ears." I said smiling.
"Raelyx's mom died of a cancer that is incurable when Rae was only 8 years old. Her brother Gabriel was fighting overseas and his convoy hit a road side bomb which killed him. Her father, due to the stress of losing both a wife and his first born child in such a short amount of time, he killed himself while she was asleep. When the police found Raelyx, she was hiding in the hall closet. She's been sent to 5 different Christian-based foster homes that she never liked and I have no idea why they kept putting her there."
"That's crazy! Do they know what the cancer was?" I asked.
"No. They did several tests and couldn't figure out what it was."
"That has to be rough on her." I said.
"It is. She used to not talk at all until she met me. I've worked with her for so many years that she is my best friend."
"At least you got her to start talking again." I said smiling. Jo looked down at her watch and stood up.
"Well I need to be going. Tell Raelyx that I'll be back in 2 months to check on her."
"I will. You have a safe trip home." I said walking her to the door.
"You take care of her."
"Don't worry I will. She's safe here." I said smiling. I gave her a hug and shut the door. I went back into the kitchen grabbing my phone and heading upstairs to Raelyx's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RAELYX'S POV~~~~~~~~~~
I finished unpacking and I sat down on the window sill watching Miss Harding leave Matt's house. I'm really going to miss her. I was knocked out of my thoughts when my door opened.
"Raelyx would you like to help me get things ready for tonight?"
"What's going on?" I asked standing up.
"Just a little celebration of you coming to live with me."
"Fun. Sure I guess I could." I said.
"Alright come on." I walked downstairs with Matt where he had me chopping vegetables for someone names Val. It must be his wife. He asked me to put some beer into the fridge so they could get cold and I did that as well. At least he asked me to do something and not order me too like those idiots I was with. I heard the door open and soon several women came into the kitchen. Matt looked over and smiled at one of the women and kissed her.
"Raelyx I would like you to meet my wife Val, this is Johnny's wife Lacy, Jimmy's wife Leana, and Val's sister plus Brian's wife Michelle. Everyone this is Raelyx."
"Hello." I said as they came over and hugged me one by one. I looked over at Matt and he nodded reassuringly.
"It's really nice to meet you but I've got to warn you about my Jimmy. He is wild...funny but wild." Leana said smiling.
"Thanks for the heads up."
"Also the guys love to hug like these girls." Matt said laughing.
"Oh before I forget! The guys said they'll be right over as soon as they get done at the liquor store." Val said.
"Raelyx, let's go outside before the guys get here." Lacy said following her out of the house along with all the other girls. Val showed me where to sit and got me a soda from the cooler near the grill. They started asking me a thousand and one questions until Matt came outside with the steaks.
I heard the sound of car doors slamming and then a tall man running out the open door and straight into the pool. I saw Leana shaking her head at him. He spotted me when he resurfaced and jumped out of the pool and coming over to me.
"Hey! My name is Jimmy! I know we're going to be best friends!" he squeezed me tightly.
"Jimmy she can't breathe!" Val yelled and he let me go.
"Anyways, this is Raelyx our new daughter." Val continued saying.
"Where's the others?"
"They're bringing in the beer." Jimmy said sitting down with Leana. I looked over at the door as it opened and I seen the rest of the band come out and sit with their wives. I looked over at Zacky and he was all alone. I nudged Val's shoulder and she looked at me.
"Where's Zacky's girl?" I asked.
"They broke up not too long ago. You want me to introduce you?" I nodded and she got up from her seat and we walked over to Zacky.
"Zacky this is our daughter Raelyx."
"Hey." he said extending his hand. I shook it and he went back to drinking. I sat down next to him as Val walked away towards Matt. He looked over at me.
"I just thought you would like to have some company." I said smiling.
"Thanks." I sat there and watched as Jimmy ran after Johnny trying to catch him. God knows what he was going to do to him.
"Where's Zacky! I want to see him right now!" I turned and seen some girl yelling at Val. I could hear Zacky sigh in frustration.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"My ex-girlfriend Gena." She looked over and pushed Val away and came over and picked me up by my hair. I struggled in her grasp.
"Is this the whore you left me for?"
"No! That's Val's daughter and I left you because you fucking cheated on me the entire time I was gone for tour." Zacky said standing up. I pulled away from her and she yanked me back by the hair again. I hit her head with mine repeatedly before she let go and falling to the ground.
"Gena! Leave and never come back!" Val yelled. I watched as she got to her feet and left.
"Are you okay?" Zacky asked and I turned and I could feel the blood pumping out of my forehead.
"Matt we need some towels over here!" Val yelled and he quickly brought something over for my head. Zacky placed the towel on my head as Val sat me down. Zacky wiped away all the blood and it finally stopped. He helped me into the house where he put a bandage on it and we came back out and Brian came over.
"You're one tough chick.! I was holding back Michelle so she couldn't go after Gena."
"Thanks. I can hold my own when I have too." I said smiling.
"I'll say you can!" Jimmy grabbed me into a huge hug. He let me go and I left Zacky with the others as I sat down on the edge of the pool letting my feet hang in the water. I miss Jo so much. She was great with me! I miss my mom just as much as Jo.
"Hey." I turned my head and seen Zacky. He sat down beside me putting his feet in the water.
"Hey." I said smiling.
"I just wanted to apologize for Gena's actions."
"Zacky it's alright. I've had to fight all...well almost all my life." I said.
"Oh...I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry."
"It's alright Zacky." I said patting his shoulder.
"Alright...If you need anything I'll be inside with the others." I nodded and he got to his feet and walked into the house. Finally, I'm alone! I laid back on the concrete and closed my eyes while kicking my feet in the water. I miss my mom so much. I never really seen much of my brother because since he left high school he joined the Army. I have no idea what my dad's excuse was.
He could have stayed and took care of me...I mean if he actually gave a fuck about me. Why did this happen to me? I listened to the noises that were going on inside the house. Everyone was laughing and having a good time while I sat here by myself. Hell it didn't bother me. I loved being alone. I relaxed my thought and feel into a deep sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATT'S POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette when I seen Raelyx laying on the side of the pool with her feet in the water. I put my cigarette down on the patio table and picked her up. Val seen me as I entered the house and smiled as I took her upstairs. I laid her gently down on the bed making sure her feet was dry before covering her up. I left her room and went back outside to smoke before going to bed. Those foster families think she is difficult? They should have seen us when we were younger.
"Welcome back."
"How long was I asleep?" I asked yawning.
"Almost 3 hours. Do you want to stop and eat before you get home?"
"No I can wait 2 hours." I said. I looked at the scenery as we drove past. The place looked alright but a part of me didn't want to go live with this family. I just wish I could live with Miss Harding. I laid my head back against the window and went back to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I felt a nudge to my shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes.
"Wake up. We're in Huntington Beach."
"Already?" I asked.
"Sadly yes. I called your new family while you were asleep and told them that we would be there in a matter of minutes."
"Oh. You're still not going to tell me who this family is are you?" I asked. The smell of the ocean filled my nose.
"Nope can't do that."
"Oh come on!" I said pouting.
"Sorry but don't worry you'll see soon enough."
"You're no fun at all." I said crossing my arms. I could hear Miss Harding laughing lightly at me. We pulled into the driveway of a 2 story house not even 2 minutes after or conversation. Miss Harding shut off the car and helped me with my things before heading to the door. I turned around looking over the place and hearing the ocean waves crash into the shore. The neighborhood looked nice but the huge houses looked expensive.
"Jo Harding! How are you?"
"I'm doing good Matt." Miss Harding said. I turned around and came face to face with M. Shadows.
"So this is Raelyx?"
"The one and only." Miss Harding said smiling.
"Y-you're M. Shadows!" I was completely awestruck.
"That I am. I see you're a fan." He smiled at me showing his dimples.
"Hell yeah!" I said smiling.
"Well come on in. I'll show you to your room so you can get settled in. Oh and sweet name by the way." He grabbed my bags and I followed him up the stairs where he opened a door. I loved the way the room looked! Black was everywhere and he had posters of my favorite bands all hanging on the wall and they were even signed!
"Miss Harding told me what you liked. Do you like it?"
"I love it!" I said smiling. Matt sat my things down on the bed and opened another door.
"This is your bathroom so you wont have to share one and this room has a huge closet for all your stuff. Go ahead and get unpacked while I talk to Miss Harding. Feel free to come down and join us when you're all finished.
"Alright." I said as he left the room. I started unpacking and hanging up my clothes in the closet and putting everything else where it belonged. I think I'm really going to like living here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATT'S POV~~~~~~~~~
"I think she really likes it here Matt."
"I hope so. So...Jo how you been?" I asked as we entered the kitchen.
"I'm doing good. I've been mostly busy trying to find Raelyx a home. That girl is hell on Christian-based families."
"Really?" I asked sitting down.
"Oh yeah. The family she was just with took her to church Sunday and she stood in front of the entire congregation and told them off. I wish I could have seen that."
"Me too! I bet that was fucking hilarious." I said laughing.
"How are you and Val doing?"
"We are wonderful. How about you and Bill?" I asked.
"We're still having our problems. I was going to adopt Raelyx myself but I don't want her around our fights. They get bad at times."
"Why don't you divorce him?" I asked getting up and grabbing 2 sodas from the fridge.
"The thought has crossed my mind many times Matt but I...I still love him."
"I know. Love is hard to break away from. Especially when it's someone you've been with for a very long time." I said drinking my soda.
"Yeah...So anyways, where's Val?"
"She's with her sister Michelle, Lacy, and Leana. I think they said something about shopping." I said shaking my head.
"Gena not with them?"
"No and she won't ever be again." I said pulling out a smoke and lighting it.
"Whys that?"
"She cheated on Zacky. She admitted to cheating on him ever since we left on that 6 month tour." I explained.
"Oh wow. How is he taking it?"
"He's broken up about it. I'm having the guys to get him and bring him over here. We're grilling out if you'd like to stay?" I said.
"I really would like too but I just came to get her settled in and tell you a little but about her."
"I'm all ears." I said smiling.
"Raelyx's mom died of a cancer that is incurable when Rae was only 8 years old. Her brother Gabriel was fighting overseas and his convoy hit a road side bomb which killed him. Her father, due to the stress of losing both a wife and his first born child in such a short amount of time, he killed himself while she was asleep. When the police found Raelyx, she was hiding in the hall closet. She's been sent to 5 different Christian-based foster homes that she never liked and I have no idea why they kept putting her there."
"That's crazy! Do they know what the cancer was?" I asked.
"No. They did several tests and couldn't figure out what it was."
"That has to be rough on her." I said.
"It is. She used to not talk at all until she met me. I've worked with her for so many years that she is my best friend."
"At least you got her to start talking again." I said smiling. Jo looked down at her watch and stood up.
"Well I need to be going. Tell Raelyx that I'll be back in 2 months to check on her."
"I will. You have a safe trip home." I said walking her to the door.
"You take care of her."
"Don't worry I will. She's safe here." I said smiling. I gave her a hug and shut the door. I went back into the kitchen grabbing my phone and heading upstairs to Raelyx's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RAELYX'S POV~~~~~~~~~~
I finished unpacking and I sat down on the window sill watching Miss Harding leave Matt's house. I'm really going to miss her. I was knocked out of my thoughts when my door opened.
"Raelyx would you like to help me get things ready for tonight?"
"What's going on?" I asked standing up.
"Just a little celebration of you coming to live with me."
"Fun. Sure I guess I could." I said.
"Alright come on." I walked downstairs with Matt where he had me chopping vegetables for someone names Val. It must be his wife. He asked me to put some beer into the fridge so they could get cold and I did that as well. At least he asked me to do something and not order me too like those idiots I was with. I heard the door open and soon several women came into the kitchen. Matt looked over and smiled at one of the women and kissed her.
"Raelyx I would like you to meet my wife Val, this is Johnny's wife Lacy, Jimmy's wife Leana, and Val's sister plus Brian's wife Michelle. Everyone this is Raelyx."
"Hello." I said as they came over and hugged me one by one. I looked over at Matt and he nodded reassuringly.
"It's really nice to meet you but I've got to warn you about my Jimmy. He is wild...funny but wild." Leana said smiling.
"Thanks for the heads up."
"Also the guys love to hug like these girls." Matt said laughing.
"Oh before I forget! The guys said they'll be right over as soon as they get done at the liquor store." Val said.
"Raelyx, let's go outside before the guys get here." Lacy said following her out of the house along with all the other girls. Val showed me where to sit and got me a soda from the cooler near the grill. They started asking me a thousand and one questions until Matt came outside with the steaks.
I heard the sound of car doors slamming and then a tall man running out the open door and straight into the pool. I saw Leana shaking her head at him. He spotted me when he resurfaced and jumped out of the pool and coming over to me.
"Hey! My name is Jimmy! I know we're going to be best friends!" he squeezed me tightly.
"Jimmy she can't breathe!" Val yelled and he let me go.
"Anyways, this is Raelyx our new daughter." Val continued saying.
"Where's the others?"
"They're bringing in the beer." Jimmy said sitting down with Leana. I looked over at the door as it opened and I seen the rest of the band come out and sit with their wives. I looked over at Zacky and he was all alone. I nudged Val's shoulder and she looked at me.
"Where's Zacky's girl?" I asked.
"They broke up not too long ago. You want me to introduce you?" I nodded and she got up from her seat and we walked over to Zacky.
"Zacky this is our daughter Raelyx."
"Hey." he said extending his hand. I shook it and he went back to drinking. I sat down next to him as Val walked away towards Matt. He looked over at me.
"I just thought you would like to have some company." I said smiling.
"Thanks." I sat there and watched as Jimmy ran after Johnny trying to catch him. God knows what he was going to do to him.
"Where's Zacky! I want to see him right now!" I turned and seen some girl yelling at Val. I could hear Zacky sigh in frustration.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"My ex-girlfriend Gena." She looked over and pushed Val away and came over and picked me up by my hair. I struggled in her grasp.
"Is this the whore you left me for?"
"No! That's Val's daughter and I left you because you fucking cheated on me the entire time I was gone for tour." Zacky said standing up. I pulled away from her and she yanked me back by the hair again. I hit her head with mine repeatedly before she let go and falling to the ground.
"Gena! Leave and never come back!" Val yelled. I watched as she got to her feet and left.
"Are you okay?" Zacky asked and I turned and I could feel the blood pumping out of my forehead.
"Matt we need some towels over here!" Val yelled and he quickly brought something over for my head. Zacky placed the towel on my head as Val sat me down. Zacky wiped away all the blood and it finally stopped. He helped me into the house where he put a bandage on it and we came back out and Brian came over.
"You're one tough chick.! I was holding back Michelle so she couldn't go after Gena."
"Thanks. I can hold my own when I have too." I said smiling.
"I'll say you can!" Jimmy grabbed me into a huge hug. He let me go and I left Zacky with the others as I sat down on the edge of the pool letting my feet hang in the water. I miss Jo so much. She was great with me! I miss my mom just as much as Jo.
"Hey." I turned my head and seen Zacky. He sat down beside me putting his feet in the water.
"Hey." I said smiling.
"I just wanted to apologize for Gena's actions."
"Zacky it's alright. I've had to fight all...well almost all my life." I said.
"Oh...I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry."
"It's alright Zacky." I said patting his shoulder.
"Alright...If you need anything I'll be inside with the others." I nodded and he got to his feet and walked into the house. Finally, I'm alone! I laid back on the concrete and closed my eyes while kicking my feet in the water. I miss my mom so much. I never really seen much of my brother because since he left high school he joined the Army. I have no idea what my dad's excuse was.
He could have stayed and took care of me...I mean if he actually gave a fuck about me. Why did this happen to me? I listened to the noises that were going on inside the house. Everyone was laughing and having a good time while I sat here by myself. Hell it didn't bother me. I loved being alone. I relaxed my thought and feel into a deep sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATT'S POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette when I seen Raelyx laying on the side of the pool with her feet in the water. I put my cigarette down on the patio table and picked her up. Val seen me as I entered the house and smiled as I took her upstairs. I laid her gently down on the bed making sure her feet was dry before covering her up. I left her room and went back outside to smoke before going to bed. Those foster families think she is difficult? They should have seen us when we were younger.
lol! At least there are some funny people on here...I'll be updating all my stories again!
3/6/13