•|Chapter Six|•

September 5, 2017

"We need you guys to come down to the station so we can file the report and get your statements," an officer stated to us.

"What? Why?" Mom hurriedly asked.

"So that way we can get your statements, evidence, and decide what's going to happen. Follow me."

Mom drove us to the police station, following the officer. Once we were inside they took us back to be questioned in separate rooms. I was picking at my cuticles as I waited for an officer to come and question me.

"Hello, I'm officer Robin , this is detective Ross, and we are going to ask you a few questions if that's alright with you?" Robin introduced her and the detective. I nodded my head, looking at the one way mirror on the wall to my right.

"You don't have to answer questions you are uncomfortable with, and if you'd like to wait for your mom or a lawyer we can do just that." I nodded my head once again.

"What is your name darling?"

"Autumn. Autumn Hush," I answered. Detective Ross wrote in his notebook.

"How old are you Autumn? "

"Seventeen."

"What is your relationship with Steve Hush we took into custody tonight?"

"I am his daughter." I rubbed my hands over my pants, I don't know why but I was really nervous. It was extremely hot in the room, maybe it was because of the bright LED light they had hanging over our heads.

Or, maybe it's because you are a filthy, good for nothing whore. You can't do nothing right. Just accept the fact that you will never become a better person. That you will never be loved.

"Can you please describe the event that took place tonight?"

I took a deep breath in before I began from the beginning, starting with me and Keivin setting the table.

"I decided to see what had him in such a rush to go inside. When I walked in, my mom, she had a hand print on her face, and my father was trying to get at Keivin because he went in-front of our mom."

"He wouldn't stop. I tried, I tried to get him off of Kei-vin. It only... it only seemed to-to make him madder." My voice was catching, and the images of what happened didn't leave my head.

"Take your time Autumn, and if you're unable to continue we understand," Robin looked at me with simpathy.

"No, no I want to do this. I need to do this." I stayed silent for a few moments, just breathing in and out with my eyes closed. In that moment Nolan's and Branden's faces popped in-front of my eyes. I had to do this for them. I had to amend my mistakes. Determination set into my mind.

"I threw a pillow at him, and within seconds he was rushing to me. First he gripped my arms, his grip got ti-tighter. He slammed me against the wall, he-he moved my legs apart wi-with his kn-knee. I thought he was going to, I thought he was going to, to-"

"It's okay, we understand. You don't have to continue," Officer Robin told me.

"Has anything like what happened tonight, ever happened before?" Detective Ross asked.

"No. Not like this." I lightly shook my head.

"What do you mean, not like this before?" Detective Ross set down his pappers, and leaned in.

"Well," I gulped.

"Autumn, you wont be in any trouble for telling us anything that could help us help you," Officer Robin's explained.

Yeah, but you don't know them like I do. You don't know him.

They waited a few moments before they shared a look and both stood up.

"I think it's time for us to take a break. I'll bring you a water, okay?"

"Yes, Officer Robin."

A few moments later she entered the room again, alone, with a paper cup. She sat the cup on the table and nodded her head at it when she noticed I was silently asking her if it was mine.

"I can't help but feeling like I've seen you before," She stated, thinking about all the possibilities of why I seemed familiar.

"My friend, Brandon. He-he committed suicide, fifteen days ago."

I looked down at the cup in my hands and set it on the table. I picked at my cuticles, avoiding her eyes.

"Autumn, I'm sorry. I-" in that moment she was cut off by Detective Ross entering the room.

"Okay. Let's continue, shall we?" Detective Ross asked sitting down. Officer Robin nodded her head.

"So, Autumn. What other instances has anything like this happened before?" Detective Ross looked really serious, like he was determined to get my father behind bars.

"It has never been this bad. He never before laid a hand on any of us... It's shocking. He only ever really gets like this when he's drinking though. He-"

"How often do you think he drinks a week? One day, Two?" Detective Ross interrupted me. My throat felt like it was closing, my breathing became shallow.

You really want your own father, your own dad to go to jail? So what? So that way you won't feel helpless and unloved anymore? What about your mom? And Keivin? They will be so heart broken. You are selfish. You truly are a bitch. Only ever thinking of yourself.

"Autumn?" Officer Robin called out to me.

"Umm, I'd say once to twice a week depending on the week, sometimes three? Usually it's mostly only once, on the weekend sometime."

Detective Ross nodded his head, "you may continue."

"Usually he only drinks in the garage, sometimes he'll be in the house. He will also be in the backyard, but nothing ever happens because when he's outside drinking he doesn't drink a lot and normally friends and family are over. The most it would get at is him shouting, and saying nasty things."

"What kind of nasty things? About who?"

Can't he just shut up and let me talk? This isn't easy to talk about. To be the one responsible for your father to ultimately get in trouble and your mom and brother to suffer.

"About me mostly. Sometimes about my mom. Rarely about Keivin, but it does happen occasionally."

"What kind of things Autumn?" Officer Robin asked. After a few moments she continued when I didn't speak, "Autumn, we need to know this kind of stuff, just to make sure we get all the facts.It's completely confidential, no one will know it was you who said these things. Just like how no one will know what your mom or brother is saying if it gets in the paper or news. We are only asking questions that we think will help you. So, can you help us?"

I nodded my head.

"Good. Now tell us what kind of things?"

"He calls me, or my mom a bitch, whore, slut, cunt. He also calls me worthless, and he gets mad when me or Keivin aren't doing well in school. That erupts into him calling us, well mostly me useless and unsuccessful ungrateful brats. That we don't know what it's like out in the real world."

Although it's mostly said to you because you can never do anything right. You can never just be a good person.

"He got in trouble a few years ago, a DUI. Do you know what that is?" I bobbed my head. "There was someone else in the car that died in the accident. Do you think his drinking stems from his accident? From his mistake that cost him and everyone else around him?"

"I don't know."

You always have to fuck things up, like how you fucked up. You brought this onto your family. It's your fault he's gone and your dad drinks. This is your fault. It's all your fault. It will always be your fault.

After a few minutes of nothing being said Detective Ross stood up and organized his things.

"Okay, thank you Ms. Hush. That is all we need for now. If you have anything else, let us know. You are able to go sit out in the waiting room with your mom or brother if they are done."

After Detective Ross left, Officer Robin stayed in the room, lost in her thoughts it seemed like.

"So, after everyone gives their report of the events. We will see if any charges will be able to be pressed onto him. I will be back in a moment, I just want to take a few pictures of your bruises for evidence."

As soon as she said that I lifted my hand to my cheek, it was tender. Sighing I lifted my sweatshirt above my head, glad I actually wore a shirt underneath it.

After she took the pictures of my face, and arms she stood there for a minute before she said something.

"Okay, let's go to the back waiting room."

She led me down the hallway before we came to a tiny waiting room that they had in the back. I looked around and noticed Keivin was sitting in one of the chairs out of three that were occupied. I walked over and sat next to him.

After a few moments of silence he spoke up.

"I don't think anything we said will put him behind bars. Not only does he have leeway because he's a lawyer, but I don't think mom's going to press the charges." He sounded so defeated. While we loved our dad, we missed the old him. The dad we had before the accident. The one who loved us and wasn't so uptight. We would probably never get that version of him back.

"I know. Wont we get a chance to press charges?"

"Against our father? If we did, what good would it do? He lives in the same house as us. Mom's not going to kick him out, just like how she wouldn't stop him or stick up for herself or us. Let's just see what they say when they come out."

I didn't like seeing him like this. Like he is empty and void of emotions. Like he doesn't have a soul. I was supposed to be the oldest, the one to take care of him, and I failed.

Once mom was done we waited a few hours before they came back to get us. Just like we predicted mom didn't accept the charges. Sense we were under the age of eighteen she got the final say if we got to press the charges. She didn't.

I sat at the table, eating cheerios, but I didn't feel very cheerful as I stared at my father from across the table. They were all acting like nothing had happened at all. He was let off easily. He was fined with physical, emotional and verbal abuse, and had to stay in a cell for two days. Mom paid the fine right up, probably with the savings from mine or Keivin's college fund.

"Have a good first day guys!" Mom called from the kitchen, getting ready to go to work with her cup of coffe.. He was put on probation at work and got a week off because of the incident. I guess it helps to have a friend as your boss, if only his boss's boss's boss heard about it.

"I love you." She came and gave us all a kiss on the cheek before she headed out.

After I was done I put my bowl in the sink and grabbed my bag, heading out to wait at the bus stop down the street. Keivin quickly catched up to me, running across three streets to catch up.

"Didn't want to take the car?" He asked.

"Why would I want to do something like that? It's not like I have my licence, or an actual permit for that matter."

"Well dad was also able to get out of that situation with the fake permit he made for you. I just thought we would ride to school together before I have to head out before you're awake."

"I'll deal Keivin," I rolled my eyes.

"Okay," he dragged out. "But don't complain when you're like the only senior on the bus."

Once on the bus we all piled in. Keivin sat down next to Seira which left me looking for a seat to sit in. I ended up sitting by someone with headphones in her ears, staring out the window not paying attrition to the rest of out idiot peers.

Sighing I took out my Mp3 player, deciding on Dancing on my own by Calum Scott. I went through eight songs before we arrived at school. Everyone filed out of the bus, and swarmed into the prison called school.

I slowly made my way to my locker, avoiding looking at anyone in the hell hole. There is no reason for me to draw attrition to me when there is no reason to.

Passing by the office I see they have a memorial set up in honor of Brandon. While it was sweet, none of the people who were leaving things there cared about him or knew him.

Once at my locker I emptied out my backpack and looked at my schedule before grabbing my first and second hour binders.

Once I was seated at a table in pre-trig I began to organize my binder. After a few moments, I felt someone next to me. Looking up I see a girl I shared classes in the past with, but I didn't know her name. She smiled.

"I'm sorry Autumn. I truly am. Branden was such a nice guy. He helped me pick up my books one time in the hallway when everyone else was either stepping on them or kicking them around. He was always so helpful and kind to everyone, even the people who didn't deserve it."

I didn't know what to say, so I just settled for nodding my head and whispering a quiet "thank you."

Not even five minutes later two more people, that I've never seen before told me they were sorry for my loss. If this was how today was going to continue, it would be an excruciating long day.

~

It was during lunch that I noticed people whispering. Now this was different whispering then them talking about me. I only know this because they weren't looking at me, and I knew they weren't looking at me because if they were they would be giving me sympathetic stares or they would have a scowl on their face.

Everyone was looking over at a table that was outside and had a few guys and girls at it. Not knowing anyone there I turned to Carry.

"Who is everyone talking about?" Now I wasn't one for gossip, but this was weird. A bunch of people just staring at that table and whispering to their friend's.

"What?"Looking around she followed my gaze. "Oh, just that someone in the group was in juvie over the summer, or that their is a new kid. No it's not a new kid because they have all gone here for at least a year or two. Honestly I don't know. Just hold on a minute, I'll find out."

She quickly whispered to Scott, but he shook his head. She then went over a few tables and talked to Ally for a minute before coming back.

"Okay, so the reason why a lot of people are looking at them is because a few different rumors are going around. The first is that one of them was in juvie, another is that one of the guys has a baby with a girl a few towns over and went to juvie because he got violent, and another one is that one of them left for a few months last year before the end of the school year and is now back,people think he left was because-"

"He went to juvie, or had a baby with someone." I interrupted her, rolling my eyes. So much for the real story.

"I know I didn't help. If you want the real story, just walk up and ask them?"

"Carry, you know I am not the type of person to do that. And what if they don't even know?"

While it would get me the truth,I just couldn't put myself out there. Also, it would seem very rude if I did that.

"I know, just thought I'd tell you an option you have to know the truth." She shrugged her shoulders and went back to talking with Scott.

This was a huge improvement this school year. While he was trying to be a better person, one's friends shouldn't make them decide if they should or shouldn't sit with their girlfriend. He actually grew a pair over the summer and chose to sit with Carry and her friends. Although, I'm sure he will sit with them sometimes.

~

It was fifth hour- history- and we were getting assigned seats. Ms. Ciaramella was the only teacher to give assigned seats on the first day so far. Right now everyone was standing against the walls hoping to be paired with friends, but I was hoping not to be paired with any of Scott's friends or their posse. Not only would they not stop if we got paired together, but I would end up doing all the work.

"Autumn Hush and Brooke Gooch,"She called out pointing to a table. I slowly made my way to my seat. Silently hoping that this was all a big mistake.

When I sat down, I noticed she was on her phone. Hmm, maybe this won't be that bad. I might even get something about thoughs people at lunch and why everyone was staring at them.

"Poor Brooke, having to sit with that loser," I heard Marcie fake whisper from infront of me. I kept my head down, pretending I didn't hear her.

"I know. It's a shame she's going to be around her. I just hope she doesn't ruin her too," Kendra joined in, talking across the isle.

"She is-" Marcie started, but Brooke quickly interjected.

"Oh, shut up. I'll never drop to her level. I mean, how could I?" With just that simple remark they started laughing as she smirked at me.

I take that back, this was going to be hell.

"You should be glad. I got them to stop talking about you," Brooke's green eyes bore into my dull grey ones.

"I never asked you to."

"You're right. But I couldn't let them talk about me like that." Before I could say something back, Ms. Ciaramella started talking. I faced the front once more, feeling Brooke looking at me.

"These will be your seats for the rest of the year, I don't want to here any complaints about your partner. If you can't see please raise your hand so that way we can move you up so you can see."

Of course, I rolled my eyes.

No one raised their hand.

"Okay. Now, your first assignment is due next Monday but you will be graded on your participation in each class. If you are on your phones for long periods of times, or talking about something other than the assignment then I will deduct points from you."

Oh, great.

"Your assignment is to get to know your partner that you will be sitting with for the rest of the school year. The packet I am passing out has to be completed by Friday, and you guys have to give us a quick summary of who your partner is. The packet describes this assignment in more detail."

"Don't forget to have fun with it. I made sure I didn't give anyone the advantage of being with one of their friends because I watched you guys enter the room, and talk with the people around you. If you are friends with the person you are next to, raise your hand."

When no body raised their hand she sighed.

"Okay, if anyone notices that someone got their friend tell me. With the last fifteen minutes of class you can start your project."

Neither of us made a move to do the project, many people didn't. I guess Mrs. Ciaramella noticed this because then she let out her true intentions on this project.

"You guys will only get twenty or so minutes each class period to work on this. Whatever you don't get done in class you will have to do outside of school on your own time."

That got a lot of people to start working, but Brooke just stared at her phone, not even paying attitude. I sighed.

I'm screwed.