Page 9 of Breaking Boston

They never touched the younger kids, just us older ones. And for that, I was fucking grateful.

Taking the last deep hit off the blunt, I flick the roach off the roof and head back in, needing to put the little ones to bed.

The thought of them sleeping peacefully was the only thing that brought me any comfort. As I entered the house, I was met with the sound of Bobby's voice, slurring and stumbling. It was clear that they had returned home, and my heart sank. But as I walked into the living room, I was surprised to find them distracted and disoriented, paying no attention to me. I saw an opportunity and quickly took the little ones to their room, tucking them in and promising them that everything would be okay.

"Will you sleep with us tonight?" five-year-old Max asks, his innocent big eyes locking on mine. I bend down and kiss his forehead, tucking him in tight.

"Not tonight, little man. Get some rest, okay?" I ruffle his hair and move on, making my way through all five kids, makingsure they all know how much I love them. I had to go pack my shit, but I didn't want to leave them, even if I'd be calling CPS first thing in the morning. But I did, after watching their little eyes close and the sound of soft murmurs fill the room.

Returning to the living room, I find Bobby and Debbie in a daze, barely coherent, hunched over on the couch. I seized the chance, and started to rush upstairs to put my plan in motion, but the sound of a light rapping at the door halts me in my tracks. Panic seizes my insides, and I can feel my hands getting clammy. Peeking around the corner, I see Debbie and Bobby still hunched over, their heads practically on the floor. Thank fucking God.

Wondering who would show up here this late, I tiptoe to the front door, being extra careful not to step on the creaky spots. I've snuck out of the house enough to know the right way to go.

Opening the door, I take a step back and stare in slight shock, my jaw falling to the porch.

"Hayden, um... what... what are you doing here?" I ask my bully, the kid that has put me through hell for the last four years.

"Close that pretty fucking mouth of yours before my cock finds its way inside," he chuckles softly, his grin showing off his high cheekbones.

I close my mouth, but strengthen my stance, trying to show him that I'm not afraid of what he might do this time.

"Why are you here, Hayden? I didn't even know you knew where I lived," I ask again, curiosity getting the best of me.

"I didn't see you at graduation today," he says, his gaze softening as he reaches into his backpack and pulls something out. "I figured I'd bring you your diploma so at least you got that."

"Thank you," I reply, stunned, as I accept my diploma. "I didn't see the point in going, especially with everything else going on at home." I falter, a lump forming in my throat asI realize how close I am to breaking down. But I refuse to, especially in front of Hayden, star quarterback, my number one bully.

Hayden looks at me for a moment before softly replying, "I know your life isn't easy. I've made most of it a nightmare and I regret it, but I swear I didn't know everything you were going through."

I meet his eyes in surprise, feeling an unexpected wave of…something…I'm not sure what. But perhaps even this tormenter of mine was capable of some form of empathy after all.

With his hands in his pockets, he flashes me a grin that reaches his eyes in a devious manner. "Are you busy?" he asks, looking over my shoulder inside the house.

"Um... a li-"

"Come on, Boston. Just smoke with me," he says, stepping closer to me, making me take an instinctive step back. I hug my diploma against my chest, as if it'll be enough to keep Hayden away from me.

Bobby snores loudly, making me jump, knowing I don't have much time before he gets his second wind. I still have to pack my shit. I'm leaving tonight. But if I turn Hayden down, he won't stop bugging me about it.

"Be quiet and go right upstairs," I whisper, avoiding eye contact as I usher him into the house.

Still feeling some type of way about him bringing me my diploma, I try to keep an open mind on things.

Besides, he's in my territory now. Hayden doesn't know what I'd do to protect myself.

We sit near the window, passing a joint back and forth, nothing but silence surrounding us. The only thing on my mind is me leaving even though I have nowhere to go. I have enough money saved so I can get a hotel room for a few weeks, but I know it'll run out quickly. A small nudge against my shoulderpulls me out of my head, and I turn to see Hayden smiling, which throws me off.

"What are you smiling at?" I hit the joint, blowing smoke rings into the air.

"I can't look at you?" His lip curls into a smirk as he inches closer, making me feel confused about the whole situation.

At school, he hates me, despises my very existence. It's been his mission since freshman year to ruin me, and he succeeded. The whole school knew me as the troubled foster kid who would get on her knees for the football team. Which wasn't even true. I wasn't willing. My first day, I was cornered by Hayden and Cory, and for some reason, they were determined to ruin my reputation. To this day, I don't know why. I accused him of scattering the rumors, and he called me delusional. But tonight he brought my diploma to me, and he's sitting here smoking with me, acting like we're best friends. Despite the shift in his behavior, I can't shake the feeling that there's something off. I need to be careful around him, despite whatever is happening now. My heart tells me to be cautious, but my confused mind wants to believe that maybe he's not the same person he was before.

It doesn't matter, though. I'm leaving tonight and I'll never have to see him again.

When the joint is done, I flick it out the window, preparing myself to stand up. But Hayden grabs my wrist and pulls me back down, keeping a firm grip around it.

"Hayden, what the fuck are you doing?" I ask, slightly angry, slightly confused.

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