The One Who Was Taught To Survive

Later that night I sat around with the guys and Dilynn at Johnny’s, the guys being rambunxious and Brian trying to play it cool to impress Dee. “Dude short shit better show up soon, I’m getting bored and wanna go to the beach,” Jimmy whined to us.

“Chill Jimbo, he’ll be here soon,” Matt smiled and patted our friend on his shoulder.

“Well he better have brought the cigarettes, I’m out and texted him to pick up a couple packs,” Brian huffed.

“Well if you’d play it cool and not smoke like a fucking chainsmoker then you wouldn’t be out,” Zacky snickered.

Dee and I started giggling and I shook my head knowing Zacky was right; even if Brian wouldn’t admit it. At that moment the door opened and we all heard, “Kayley just stop fucking asking me already!”

“Hey short shit’s here!” Jimmy said happily jumping up.

“And he brought Kayley,” Brian nudged Jimmy.

“Johnathan you heard Mom, we have to hang out tonight. Her rules, not mine so get the fuck over it and shut the fuck up,” Kayley sassed him as she came through the door.

Johnny mumbled something under his breath and moved through the crowds to our tables, “Don’t kill me, I had to bring her.” Johnny apologized to the guys.

“To the beach!” Jimmy yelled and got up heading for the door, Zacky going after him.

“Short shit, you got my cigs?” Brian asked Johnny as Matt wrapped an arm around my shoulders pulling me close to him.

Fuck I missed his scent.

“Yes you dick, I have your fucking cigarettes right here,” Johnny handed Brian an open pack of cigarettes.

“The fuck! There’s like three missing!” Brian whined.

“Kayley broke into them thinking they were for her,” Johnny rolled his eyes as Brian turned his eyes on Kayley.

I saw a spark in his eyes until he caught Dilynn’s gaze, she was watching to see how he’d react. After all, Kayley was her best friend, and if he fought with her then he wasn’t worth the hassle. Brian sighed, “It’s fine dude, here’s the money.”

Dilynn smiled approvingly and hugged Kayley, “Ready for the beach chick?”

“Do we really have to walk all the way there?” She whined.

“Of course not!” Jimmy came running back to us, “Hop on shawty.”

“Don’t call her that!” Johnny groaned completely grossed out at the thought.

“Johnny,” Matt laughed, “You know by doing that you’re basically begging him to do that again and again.” Johnny inwardly groaned again as Kayley jumped on Jimmy’s back.

“Thanks Jimmy, Johnny’s rude to ladies, atleast you’re a gentleman,” she kissed his cheek, but kinda missed…instead she ended up kissing his ear. Particularly his ear lobe, and I saw a look pass Jimmy’s face that I hadn’t seen before, and it wasn’t necessarily a bad look.

“Your brother is a bad, bad man,” Jimmy regained some of his composure. “To the beach we go!”

I waved at Bobby and she acknowledged us all as she left. She hadn’t given us a curfew tonight because she knew we were all out together and the guys would keep us girls safe. Plus tomorrow was Sunday, literally nothing to do on Sundays.

As we walked I noticed the wind had picked up a little and I shivered, instantly I felt warmth envelope me as Matt wrapped his jacket around me. “Matty you don’t need to do that, you’re gonna get cold,” I insisted.

He smiled and leaned down pecking my lips real quick without anyone noticing, “I won’t get cold if you’re with me tonight. You make my soul warm, and your green eyes are so beautiful in the moonlight.”

I blushed and hugged him tightly, “You’re definitely a lyricist Matt. You could get a job for Hallmark if you wanted to.”

He chuckled and kissed my forehead, “Let’s catch up.”

About an hour later, we all sat around a fire pit that we’d dug ourselves. The beach was cold and deserted and the heat from the fire that was blazing felt amazing. We were on Matt’s parent’s land, they had a beach front property and had left for Vegas to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Matt had a younger sister, but she was at a friends house.

Kayley was sat between Jimmy and Dilynn who was sat next to Brian. Brian sat next to Johnny talking drunkenly and flirting with Dilynn hardcore. Next to Johnny was Matt and Johnny was laughing at Jimmy and Brian’s failed attempts of flirting. Zacky had to dodge some of Jimmy’s wild arm movements which meant he kept leaning over towards me; I was sandwiched between Matt and Zacky. Matt kept smiling over at me and placed his hand between us, which of course my hand found his; only problem was that Zacky was doing the exact same thing on the other side and I wouldn’t take his hand.

“No like seriously, we’re pretty bad ass,” Brian was gloating to Dilynn as if she didn’t know what their band sounded like.

“I believe I’ve heard you guys play,” Dilynn smiled back at him. She kept nervously checking her phone every few moments.

I crinkled my forehead, “I need to talk to her” I said out loud without realizing it. I immediately blushed and finished my drink.

Jimmy laughed and looked at me, “Aww River has a girl crush!!!!”

“Shut up!” I yelled at him and threw an empty can at him, which of course missed and went over Kayley’s head. Everyone but Kayley laughed but soon she joined in and said, “Jesus River, you trying to kill me?”

I giggled and blushed brighter, “No I swear.” I hid my face in Matt’s shoulder thoroughly embarrassed.

Dilynn stood and walked over to me, “Come on, we can talk.”

“Hey! Don’t fucking leave me with the shit heads!” Kayley yelled playfully slurring her words almost immediately she was on her feet.

Jimmy slapped her ass, “Don’t go too far pet.”

Kayley yelped and giggled blushing bright red, “No worries big boy, will be right back.” She winked at Jimmy and found her way over to me and Dilynn.

We walked about 6 feet towards the ocean’s edge away from the boys who were now howling with laughter probably over something perverted. “So what’s up?” Dilynn asked, clearly handling her liquor better than the rest of us.

“Can I ask you a question and you can choose to answer or tell me to go fuck myself, but I need to know because I care about you and don’t want anything or anyone make you miserable,” I sped out.

Kayley and Dilynn exchanged looks then looked at me expectedly, “Okay.”

“Who’s been abusive to you?” I asked calmly and quietly, even though we were away from the guys, we didn’t need them to overhear.

She looked at me surprised, “How did you—“

“I’ve been right where you are, acted the same way you are,” I explained calmly.

She sighed and looked down, Kayley looked between us completely and utterly confused. “My step-dad.”

I immediately hugged her tightly, “I can help you get away from him.”

She shrugged, “I’m almost 18, I can hold out a couple more months.”

I tilted my head, “Is that why you go out with all the different guys?”

“Wait, wait, wait…hold up a minute,” Kayley said a little too loudly and all the guys looked over at us.

“Kayley!” Dilynn said blushing, already embarrassed to have someone know her secret.

“Everything okay out there?” Brian asked standing, along with Matt and the others.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. We’ll be over in a bit,” I said and the guys stayed where they were for a moment before retaking their seats.

“So you’re abused at home?” Kayley asked quieter.

Dilynn nodded and looked at her hands, “Since I was 14.”

“Does he just hit you?” I asked softly, compassionately.

Kayley looked at her friend sympathetically and took her hand, “No…he’s done more, usually when my mom’s passed out. I just know that she won’t believe me about what’s going on. No one would, he’s an upstanding citizen and everyone knows my reputation,” she said bitterly.

I hugged Dilynn tightly and Kayley hugged both of us tightly, “Bobby will listen,” I encouraged Dilynn. “When you’re ready, Bobby will listen.”

Dilynn nodded, “Soon. I promise,” she hugged both of us back.

“Dil, if you ever need to talk to us about this, you can. We’re both here for you, actually we’re all here for you and the guys would beat his ass regardless of who he is,” Kayley said matter of factly, acting as sober as she had all night.

“Okay, guys you’re going to make me cry,” Dilynn laughed sniffling.

“No crying,” I giggled and grabbed one of her hands, Kayley taking hold of her other hand as we walked back to the guys.

When we had taken our seats Matt leaned over to me, “Everything okay?” I avoided his eyes and nodded. Obviously, that was not good enough for him and he gently turned my head until his eyes met mine.

“No but it’s not my story to tell, and she’s not ready yet,” I whispered, thankful that the others were engaged in their own conversations. Matt nodded and let it go, for now.

Zacky moved close to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, “You wanna go for a walk? I know somewhere that’s a little more private.”

I giggled, “Zack you’re drunk. We’ll get lost.”

“Would not,” he pouted.

Around 2am there was a flashlight being shown in our eyes, “Matthew is that you?” a big booming gruff voice called.

Matt immediately stood, “Yes sir.”

“I thought we told you no parties,” the older man said.

“But Uncle Mike, Mom said it was okay to have them over,” Matt said soberly.

The man made a “hmph” sound, “Alright, well it’s late. Time to relocate, if they’re staying the night you guys can stay in the basement, the girls will get yours and Amy’s room.”

“Yes sir,” the guys answered and Johnny and Zacky stood with Matt and grabbed the buckets of water we’d collected earlier. The rest of us gathered up the trash and belongings as the three guys doused the fire with the water…making sure to kill any chance of a spark.

Notes

Sorry for the delay guys, another update coming directly after this one.