Page 16 of Homecoming

“I had some crackers at a gas station on the way here.” I figure there is no point in trying to dodge the question now, and I already promised I wouldn’t lie.

“Before that?” Jenny asks gently.

I sigh heavily, scrunching my face up, trying to remember, “A couple of days, maybe.”

I hear Jenny gasp before she quickly covers it.

“You will never have to go hungry again, Everleigh,” Rob says fiercely, and I just nod dumbfounded. These people actually give a shit. How novel.

“Right, if you’ve still got room after that mountain of food, there’s chocolate cake for dessert.” Jenny grins.

I smile my first genuine smile, probably since I left this place all those years ago.

“I haven't had chocolate in years. There’s always room for chocolate.”

They chuckle at my answer, although it doesn’t entirely cover the sadness that still hides in their eyes.

I help them clear the table and then bring the plates over for the cake. Jenny cuts me a giant slice, and I am in absolute heaven after the first bite. I quickly finish my cake, and Rob confirms what I had already guessed when he tells me I will be going to school tomorrow. He offered me the rest of the week off, but I would rather not miss any more school if I can help it. Jenny tells me again that the boys will all be back by mid-morning and will be at school by lunch. I decide not to focus on that bit.

Denial is my friend. I internally scoff.

It’s not long until we say goodnight, and I traipse up to the room I’m sleeping in, not sure I will ever be comfortable calling it mine.

Although I had a short nap earlier, I am still tired, and having a full stomach for once is making me sleepy. I put my hoodie back on and take my boots off, this time knowing I’m not ready to leave both off yet. I have pushed myself far enough today. However, I leave one knife in my jeans, still easily accessible but not under the pillow where I usually keep it, so baby steps. I settle down for a night of tossing, turning, and more nightmares. I rarely sleep without them plaguing me.

Chapter Eleven

Ever

The following day, I awake from another nightmare-filled sleep, clamping down on the scream that tries to make its way out of my throat. It's still early, but I’m not going to get back to sleep now, so I pull out my spare outfit and get changed in record time. I pull on ripped black skinny jeans, a Falling In Reverse band tee, and my red and black plaid shirt. I tug my bike boots back on, shooting looks at the bedroom door the entire time I am changing. I really hate not having a lock on that door. Throwing my black hair up in a messy bun, I line my eyes with black kohl and call it good. I mess around in my room for a bit, straightening things and exploring before I hear Rob and Jenny moving around and figure it’s okay to venture out for coffee.

Grabbing my helmet and bike jacket, I transfer one of my knives to the sheathe in my jeans and keep the other in my jacket. I know I shouldn’t take them to school, I know I am safe, and I know that this neighborhood is nowhere near as dangerous as the one in Fresno, but I can’t bring myself to leave them behind. There’s no doubt that I have dangerous drug and gun dealers looking for me. Even though the likelihood of them finding me here is slim, it’s not a risk I am willing to take.

I learned very quickly always to be armed, and it has saved me more than once. It's another habit that is going to be hard to break. I quietly pick my way back downstairs and toward the kitchen. My eyes widen as I see the spread Jenny's set out on the breakfast bar.

“Good morning, sweetie. Help yourself to the food. There is plenty. What would you like to drink?”

“Oh, erm, thank you. Coffee, black, please?” I ask, taking a seat and piling my plate high.

She raises her eyebrow but thankfully doesn’t say no. I need my morning coffee. Jenny chats about random things over breakfast, and I listen with half an ear while stuffing my face.

She reminds me once again that the boys will be at school by lunch.

“Are you going to be alright riding your bike to school?” She asks, a bit apprehensive.

I shrug.

“I will be fine. I rode it to school back home.” I cringe at calling that shit hole home before shrugging again, “Besides, I have been riding since I was twelve. I am probably safer than most.”

Her eyes widen at my confession, and I inwardly curse again. It’s so different out here. No one would have given two fucks if I had said that back in Fresno. It was odder not to have been able to drive from that young. I can just imagine her face if I told her I have been racing bikes for that long, too.

I am hoping to find somewhere around here to race; it’s my escape. When I’m racing, everything fades into the background, and I’m free. It’s just me, my bike, and the speed. There is no hunger, bruises, wandering hands, drug deals, nothing. For however long the race is, I am fucking free, and I crave that. I didn’t get to keep whatever winnings I made; they went straight to dear old dad since the only races were run by him. I tune back into my surroundings as Jenny nods, then leans forward and gives me a quick hug. She steps back as soon as I stiffen and smiles sadly at me.

“Have a good day, Ever. See you after school.”

I offer her a tight smile before spinning, putting my helmet on, and rushing out of the door, not wanting her to see how much her words have affected me. The last person to say something like that to me was my mom. A pang hits my heart, and I breathe deeply as I swing my leg over my bike, nudging the kickstand away. I give a short wave to Jenny before starting the engine and pulling away. I remember, at the last minute, to stick to the speed limit. I have a feeling the cops in this town are more concerned with speeding than back in Fresno. The cops back home had bigger things to worry about, like murders and gang disputes, so unless it was affecting the public, they usually turned a blind eye. I don’t think that will be the case here.

Jenny gave me directions to the high school this morning, and I vaguely remember driving past it as a kid. Making it there in good time, several kids turn and stare as I pull into a space in the lot.

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