Temperance The booming sound of thunder crashes loudly, causing my mind to force me awake. Annoyed, I turn over, bending my arm to go back under my pillow. I open my eyes, feeling a strange pain come from myInner arm. I straighten my arm out, thinning my lips at the drip that is placed back into my arms. My ears twitch at the sound of the monitor they've plugged back in. I lazily bring myself to a sitting position with a delicate sigh escaping my chapped lips. I gaze outside and watch the dark clouds pour over us. They stretch into the distance as if it's never-ending. Rain slides down my window, the droplets racing against each other for which one can go faster. Lightning strikes and the crackling sound of thunder follows. I can hear a few patients scream, but other than that, it's a silent morning in the hospital. I've always liked the rain. When my mom was alive she would put me in a red raincoat and we'd go outside. She would watch as I splash around in the puddles, my legs
Temperance I stand in the middle of the living room. Both my father and the bitch circle me like hawks. Anger is visible on their faces. I and my father have been like this before. I would stand helplessly as he would walk around me in circles to taunt me. One abuser turns into two. One punch turns into two. I slouch in shame and look at the ground. My face is swollen from the hits along with my discolored body. My hair is a mess and blood drips around my eye from a gash on my forehead. "Why the fuck were there people outside your hospital room?!" My father yells, shoving me backward into his girlfriend. I can smell the alcohol in his breath. And the smoke on her clothes. They had only returned a few minutes ago. They yanked me out of bed after ten minutes of being in a deep sleep They are mistreating me the day of getting out of the hospital. How stupid can you get? You would think they would be careful with how much pain to inflict on me. They seem to share one brain cell,
Temperance My eyes are slow to open, and pain jolts through my body as I grow more familiar with my surroundings. My mind spins in circles, trying to reveal the lost pieces of memories. "Up the morphine intake." An unfamiliar voice states. I fully open my eyes, realizing I'm in Alec's house again. I glance down at the bandage wrapped around my torso and the memories come flooding back. Erin had shot me, trying to kill me. But if she wanted to kill me... why didn't she shoot me in the head? As seconds pass I feel the pain in my body subsid. Morphine is a wonderful antidote for pain. "I'm glad you're up!" Alec speaks in a calm voice, sitting on the edge of the bed. I try my best to sit up, my arms too shaky to lift me. He wraps his arm around my back, helping me to a sitting position. He's barely touching me, taking his hands away as I'm positioned comfortably. It seems like he's afraid I might break. "How long have I been here..?" I ask in a raspy voice. My throat stings with
Temperance I sigh and begin. "My mom died in a wreck when I was little. Since I was in the car, I was always blamed. The emotional abuse turned physical. I was always in the hospital because of this. There's nowhere for me to run, I have no family I can trust. Not only are my father's eyes watching me, but Erin's too. It wasn't so out of the blue for them to suddenly want to get rid of me." As I was speaking, tears fell down my cheeks. I haven't been able to speak freely about anything. I avoid the heady eye contact from my friends, keeping my hand wrapped around Alec's. "That's why you're staying here," Alec speaks after a few minutes of silence. I lay my head on his shoulder after he squeezes my hand to reassure me. "We need to go to the police about it," Emaline pushes a strand of her hair behind her ear. "No, we can't!" I almost stand to my feet as I plead with her, looking straight into her empty eyes. "We have to. They need to be put into jail." She doesn't dare look at m
Alec I park in the driveway and jump out of the car. I don't know what's gotten into me. I only go back to the mansion for emergencies. Temperance needing me shouldn't be an emergency. If only I could help it when it comes to her. I wouldn't be running away from my duties to tend to her. This girl, she just sets a fire off in me. When I'm around her I get nervous and my heart beats faster. I have this deep urge to protect her. If my father heard about me abandoning my duties tonight, he would be furious. I would no doubt be screamed at for hours. He isn't abusive or purposely mean to me, he just has a reputation to hold. Growing up me and my siblings were under extremely strict rules. We couldn't do anything to disgrace our family name. Ace and I had to be the best of the best to inherit the gang. My father never had any intentions of Arella maintaining his work so she didn't get the harsh rules. Once Vanessa came into Ace's life he decided he didn't want to be the next leader. T
Temperance I look at my reflection in the mirror. My grey shirt is almost too big for me, covering the black leggings that cling to my legs. I tie my dark hair into a messy ponytail. My body is littered with fading bruises and healing cuts. There's is going to be a fine scar where I was bashed on my forehead. I turn my head, gazing at the door as I hear a light knock. I open the door, looking up at Alec. I give him a small smile, stepping out of the room. "Ready to go?" I ask. I'm excited to go on this adventure. I've never been to a trampoline park. The only concern I have is the wounds on my stomach. I'll have to take it easy today. "We've been ready. You take forever." I shoot him a glare as he laughs. Why does my heart hurt when I look at him? We stop in front of the car, standing with all the guys. "We have a problem. There's not enough room in the car." Damien sighed, "Someone will have to sit on a lap." I know what they think when they all look at me. They want me
Temperance I sit in the living room with pillows and blankets littering the floor below me. We are all cuddled up on the couch, shoulder to shoulder. A movie plays on the flat screen tv in front of us. We all have pajamas on, including Connor who doesn't live here. I have no idea where he acquired them from. Emaline and I cuddle with our backs against the couch behind us. "Go get Ella to turn down the temperature," Emaline demands Zander. He nods and stands up, patting her leg. I don't miss the blush that forms on Emaline's face. "Do you guys do this often?" I ask them, grabbing a handful of kettle popcorn and piling it into my mouth. "No. This is the first time." Alec replies. I expected that—kind of. I lay my head back and smile. I've never had a fun day like this. Not ever since my mom died. God, I miss her. So much. "It always feels like something bad is happening. One thing after another." Ethan blurts. "Well, for Temperance at least," Connor adds, his voice low. It see
Younger EmalineApril 22nd"TJ!" I happily call out to my new boyfriend. My heart flutters as he greets me with a smile, "Hey babe." He leans down, kissing my head softly. My heart can't help but flutter.He grabs my arm, leading me inside the restaurant.I sit down at the dinner table, gazing at the scenery around us."We've been together for a month. I can hardly believe it." I grab my menu, skimming the food items. I thin my lips, glancing at him as he continues his silence.My mind wonders if he heard me or not. "TJ?" I say lightly, trying to get his attention. He is often cold to me. I know he doesn't mean it, It's just his personality. I know he loves me, he tells me every day."I want you to move in with me." His brown eyes pour into mine with intensity.My breath catches in my throat as I stare at him with shock. "My parents?" I bring up my family, they would surely miss me. I'm only fourteen, they mostly give me everything I want. But I don't think they will be too fond of t