Ch. 3 - Trouble

The three began leaving the library, but Sarah was skipping and leading them to a burger spot close by from they were.

"hey, Sarah watch out and be careful please..." That is all Drake said, and Marlene went ahead to play and skip with Sarah.

"don't listen to your big brother!" she said, but only did what she did to keep her safe herself. and Drake wouldn't have had to worry.

from a few feet back Drake watched them and smiled softly. With this distance now between them, Drake then would have been stopped.

"Hey man... let's talk, just like old times..." two men stood in front of him.

"I'm busy..." he tried to evade them.

"ah uh... no sir... we need you to run for us... one our newbies were jumped so we need you to do it... let's talk over here..." they both put their arms around him. "don't fuss... you owe us remember, and you're getting paid, it's a win-win..." they said, and soon he stopped.

now in an ally, drake got their arms off him. "you said that last time... were straight... so I'm done..."

"Hey man, you should change up that attitude... or that girl and your sister will be in trouble..." they tried to threaten him and grabbed his collar.

Drake didn't say a word, and stared them down. "don't fuck with me..." his time changed, and glared at them. "did you also forget my one rule... not to get my family involved" he raised his hand to his wrist and began to grip him harshly. "especially when it comes to my sister..."

"hey man. it was a joke" he said feeling his wrist about to break. "I give I give...!"

"your..." he stopped himself from taking things too far. he couldn't result in a fight. and not with them.

he slowly let go. "sorry..." he apologized. and let go. "just... don't get me involved anymore... please..." he stepped back.

"yeah man... whatever..." even they were confused, on why or how soft he was all of a sudden.

They watched Drake walk away and between them they talked. "what the fuck happened to him in the last few months...?"

the other man "no clue... but hey, he was sincere... and the boss did say we don't get involved with him anymore. let's just leave him be... he is a kid still..."

"yeah... your right. still, who can we send for the pick-up?"

they went on with their day and at the corner, Marlene and Sarah were entering a store and got in line.

"Hey, where is Draky?" asked Sarah.

"Hmm, maybe ill call him," Marlene said, grabbing her phone.

Drake picked up. "sorry I lost you two, you're still with Sarah?" he asked and got a reply.

"Yup, I'm with her, hurry up we're around the corner," she said. and soon Sarah spoke up. "D hurry up! we can't eat without you"

Drake chuckled. "I know, I'm coming" he hung up, and already entered the store and walled on over like magic it seemed he appeared.

"magic? did you see that Sarah, I hung up and he's here" she said to entertain her?

"Woah!" she smiled and looked up to Drake. as he stood with them in line.

"yeah yeah... anyway have you all decided on what you'd like...?" he asked. and he then looks into his wallet. "I should have enough for the week... who nuts," he told them, but it was a lie. he only worked part-time. which meant twenty hours of pay. and since he had to take care of bills for his home. he only had enough for two meals.

"ah, are you sure, I can get myself, Drake," said Marlene.

"yeah, I got us covered and it was my treat remember," he said and gently pat his sister's head. and she rolled her head into his palm.

"Okay, I'll repay you another time for this treat," she said and all three went over to the counter and order. they then sat down with their food. Sarah and Marlene sat together with Drake across them.

"enjoy your food now... there's no rush," said Marlene to Sarah. and she nodded excitedly to eat one bite at a time.

Drake watched and then began to eat enjoying his food without trying to be messy. he hid it well, but he was hungry.

They quietly ate together, Sarah took some pictures of Sarah and snuck one of Drake. she couldn't help but feel like he was lying in some way, but she didn't want to be pushy or ruin the mood with his sister around, actually even if she was around. she felt if she was too pushy it would only annoy him.

After an hour of dining and over a few of being out together after school for so long, they were out walking, together again, holding hands, as the sun was also going down. "this is my stop... you two new safe" Marlene said. and got down to gently pat Sarah on her head. "you be nice and listen to your brother..." she then got to again and left them on their way home.

"you be careful," they both said, and their made Marlene smile.

both of them made their made home and he gave her music to listen to. After seeing the lights on and then picked her up.

Sarah leaned onto her brother and closed her eyes listening to music.

Drake made his way upstairs to his floor and went he entered he saw his father at the door. he looked at him. "where the hell have you two been?" he asked in a grumpy tone. but also his breath was vulgar against his face. "get inside... I'm going out to find your mother... bitch never came home..." he said and allowed them in, as left himself.

Drake didn't say anything. he just endured the smell and his tone and walked inside and just walked to their room and closed the door behind them. he let out a breath of relief. as it felt like their room was the safest place, however, the no lock made it just a temporary feeling.

"we're home Sarah," he said, gently setting her on her bed. as she then removed her earbuds. "can I use your phone big bro?" she asked.

"yeah... here" he gave it to her, letting her use it as she pleased. "just use earbuds okay... I'm gonna clean up and get the bath ready for us..." he said and then left their room.

he stood, and began to clean up the hall a bit, he picked up with a shirt used needles, cans of beer, and carefully threw it all away. "goddamit... why? why do I have to come home to this why me? and goddammit why her?" he said to himself. "fuck..." he clenched his fist, and slowly let go. after taking a breath. "the bath... just, worry about the bath..." he said and after some light cleaning, be went to the bathroom, and began warming up a bath.

he was sad, and his eyes barely had any life. he couldn't make time to relax, he couldn't make friends. he had no freedom and was far from any peace. the only thing keeping him going is the, was the hope to make life better for his sister.

"maybe... I should just drop out... education is important... but... we can't live like this... this isn't fucking living..." he said to himself and soon remember the adults who were there for him and what they said to him.

"just 3 years... this one... and the next two... that all I have to endure.. just 3... you can do this... what's three more years... after all this..." he then remembers the girl he just met. "would she be at all sad if I left? would I be? oh God..." he had a realization a sense of motivation came to him. it was hardly anything. but still, it kept him believing he could do it. "just, three... you can endure it..." once the bath had been filled, and warm enough, he left in some toys, and went to gran his sister. "bath time..." he grabbed her pajamas and he grabbed shorts. he then took her and both of them bathed together.

Drake had to pay for the water and electric bills, but also his phone service. luckily he got paid weekly, but since it was mid-August, he only would have enough cash to pay his phone and one bill. likely water was hardly used, but the electricity was always consumed. so, it would mean no tv or even more for a time. so while they bathed, Drake prepared for the abuse. he knows his father wasn't going to be happy about this, how else was he going to spend his time, drugged up, high, and drunk off his ass.

Drake knew he was going to get beaten, but you'd also think he would be used to it. while washing his sister's hair she asked him. "big bro, see you alright?"

he smiled. "yeah of course I am... close your eyes or the shampoo will hurt" he fold her as she squeezed from he finished rinsing her hair out. "all done... bedtime," he said and got out drying her and changing her into pajamas. they went back to their room and began to get ready for bed, he tucked her in and had her listen to music again. while he would lay on the floor and listen to his father that night, bring back his mother. a bottle broke and crying was heard.

by the time morning came around. he had woken up, early and his morning routine started as always. while he cooked he thought. "I'll need to buy food... after today..." he touched his stomach. "I'm not eating well..." he said and took the one tray of breakfast to the bedroom for his sister. who was used to waking up early she ate what he fed her, and then was helped change.

Drake got changed and then began to walk to school.

"hey, Draky," she said.

"yeah, Sarah?"

"will I see your friend again today too...?" she asked.

"did you want to play with her?"

"Yeah, she's so nice and smells good... way better than dad or mom... I want to play at the park or maybe at her place..." she said openly and honestly looking hopeful to him.

"hehe... maybe... we'll see, but ill definitely ask her okay... I can't make her do anything... but I know she likes you, so I'm sure she will say yes" He said and held her hand a bit tightly.

"yay! okay, I'm fine with that..." she said and marched beside him.

He then grabbed his phone and began to message Marlene early in the morning. and to his surprise, she responded. after a few minutes. "sure... hey how about you all come over after school."

"sure..." he just agreed, not thinking much of it. and told his sister. as he dropped her off.

"she wants us to come over..."

"oh really? my first play date!" she said happily and left his side to go to school with the teacher.

he walked towards his school and was soon met up with Marlene at the corner. "sup tough guy" she smiled and bumped into him.

"Morning to you too..." he said as they began walking together.

"Are your parents gonna be okay with someone like me coming over?" he asked her.

"I did tell my mom I was gonna have a girl over... so who knows... I know my dad wouldn't want you to, so luckily he's working all day tonight"

"How convenient," he said.

"don't worry, my mom is chill, and besides... how can I say no to your sisters, she is such a charmer and a bundle of joy," she said.

they went on to talk all morning, and at the window again to the principal's office, she was stunned. "this kid... I need to tell my hubby!" she smiled so much joy on her face.

Drake then got a message from his counselor. 'we need to talk after you are done with your classes'

he opened and saw and then sighed. "I'm sorry... do you think you can pick my little sister after school and take her with you?" he then showed his phone to her. so she could see why.

"oh man... you're not in trouble are you?" she worried for him.

"if I had to guess I don't think so..." he said and then put his phone away. "I'm sorry"

"Hey don't sweat it, I'll send you my address, just swing by okay" she smiled at him.

"for sure. thanks a bunch, I'll owe you" he said and this friendly exchange kept up until they got to school. however, he was stopped by five about this time. with the same there from the days before. "hey if it isn't mom and dad..." the first boy said.

drake noticed the other two were seniors.

"the hell you talking about?" Drake asked. while standing in front of Marlene.

"This..." he then pulled a photo of him, his sister, and Marlene yesterday when they walled together holding hands. "it was weird how you two git so close... so damn, you must have knocked up that slut pretty early huh..."

"watch it..." Drake said glaring at him.

"or what Draky...? there's five of us, and one of you. we'll beat your ass if you try anything or would you rather we hurt that fuck up of a child you two have..."

even Marlene now was scared. and spoke up. "stop it, that's going too far."

Drake was holding back a lot and Marlene could tell.

"not as far as you two? who the hell has a kid in high school... couldn't pull out Draky"

"stop using my name..." he told him.

"make me... Draky..." he said

drake grinned his teeth and looked at him. "what the hell did I ever do to you..."

"you should know... you made me look like an idiot in front of everyone..."

"you did that to yourself"

"shut it smart ass... guy hold him..." he said as the two seniors approached him and grabbed him.

"step back slut, or did you want trouble too..."

"Marlene go, and you don't touch him..." he told her.

"but... Drake" she was panicked a bit and looked at drake.

"go..." he told her.

she stepped back and ran towards the school and made her way to the principal.

"now... where did we leave off Draky..." he said, before kicking drake in his stomach and gut. he hardly been eating and hardly well, so he quickly hurled. he puked up and got on his knees coughing.

"you're so tough..." ill make sure this school knows that... then I get to be only top dog," he said and began to punch him. and the other two who stood by took turns kicking and stomping his head and back.

Drake felt ringings in his ears, and just felt punch and kick after the next. they then noticed the J on his neck. "no way... you have a tattoo... that's against school rules isn't it.." his head was lifted after feeling his hair pulled.

Drake stared feeling blood drip down his scalp onto his face. "screw you..."

"you still hot a smart mouth on you huh..." the bit said, and soon reached his bah for a pipe.

and the seniors and other two in his grade. "hey, that's too far man..." their grip eased, and Drake took this chance.

he punched throwing one senior away, and twist, turning his other hand to pull on the collar of the other senior and head-butted him. he saw the pipe swing and he just barely dodged as mason then reached up kicking his hands to through away the pipe. he slowly stood up and grabbed his back using his knee to bash against his face. he stopped and stepped back and looked to only two left as they spoke scared. "we... told him to stop... honest..."

"yet... you still ganged up on me.." Drake said, feeling light-headed from blood loss around his head.

"We... we don't mean it... we won't come near you or your girl...!"

"you should have thought of that before you threatened her and my little sister..." he raised his foot slamming it down into an axe kick over his head and kicked the other so hard against stomach he was out cold too after being sent a few feet away.

the senior he through, who had it easy looked up after a few minutes to the sight. drake stood still, pissed and bloody, everyone out cold. "you freak" he said and ran off.

Drake felt tipsy and soon got on one knee not closing his eyes. "I need... to stay awake" he looked up and could see the principal and school nurse as well a few teachers and Marlene rushing to the sight. Marlene quickly grabbed onto him and helped him stay up. "why'd you come back?" he asked.

"Are you seriously asking that?!" she was feeling plenty of things, and then called her mother.

Maria spoke up. "I just to look away for one damn minute... my god... Drake are you alright?"

he tried to reply, but ultimately, just fainted into Marlene's arms.

"oh no..." she then made her call to get her husband over quickly. teachers carried the hurt students while Marlene and Maria took drake to the nurses' office too.

Marlene was scared and asked. "is he gonna be okay..."

"he is... just get him to the nurse's office... I have someone coming for him..."

"but he didn't start it..." she said.

"I know he didn't... just calm down..."

both worked together to get home to the nurse's office. and when everyone had a bed to lay on, Marlene and Maria took care of him. while the nurse took care of the other four but saw they were hardly hurt. so just helped also with Drake.

school started and news about the fight started to quickly spread. they made Drake look like the victim this time since other students witness it and it was on the front gate, so some cameras saw it all.

Mason woke up and saw his counselor by his bed. "about time your awake kid..."

"where am I?" Drake said and slowly sat up.

"the nurse's office... my wife called me when you got seriously hurt... so I came rushing here... how are you feeling," he asked.

"like I git beaten up..." he pulled his phone and saw it was cracked.

"I need to get to class..."

"hell no your not..." the man said.

"but..."

"lay back down," he said firmly and grabbed his shoulder.

"I'm sorry... I'm going to be expelled aren't I...?"

"no... jeez kid, what did I say to ya, have some hope." the man sighed. "look, we have camera footage, so you'll be clear... it was just self-defense... those kids are going to be expelled, all five of them... and today, you have been excused from school... when your feeling better ill bring to our place okay"

"no... that's alright. I will go with my friend..."

"holy shit, I thought Maria was lying..." he said and looked to Drake. "tell me about this 'friend'"

"what's there to know... she's a girl, she's nice to me and my little sister... and... she cares... I got no idea why so much" he said and sighed. "she's good company... I like her"

"you're being way too honest kid... that's weird even for me" he chuckled and smiled at him. "good... I'm glad you're changing for the better" stay here a while okay"

"hold on, what did you want to talk about?" he asked him before he left.

"just your friend... what can I say, I got curious... and don't worry, I'll report this to the detection center... you'll still be attending school, and ill be sure they will fill up those seats... also, do you wanna press charges on those seniors?"

"no... forget them... I don't have the funds or care or have the time... where is Marlene?" he asked him.

"she's alright... she's waiting outside with her mother... I'll bring them in"

he said leaving. "be safe kid... Maria was worried so I'll let her know you're doing okay now."

he left, and soon Marlene had walked inside with her mother. she went to his side and hugged him. "I was so worried you weren't gonna wake up...!" she then let go and looked to her mom. "this is the boy I told you about..."

"Why did you have to get your mother involved? oh, I'm not trying to be rude ma'am... just... I don't understand" drake said and looked up to her.

her mother got a look at him and saw beat up he was, but also saw his bad style and looks. she was a bit nervous that her daughter was hanging around someone was who brought trouble.

"I called her because, and I already talked to the principal, but I wanted you to come home with us... we can ever pick up your sister for you" she said.

"uh. Marlene... I did say I wanted to first see and know this boy..." she said with a soft tone.

"no... it's. not right of me to do that to you... just pick up my little sister and have fun okay..." he said. and looked at her mother. "I'm sorry you had to come out here... she was just worried about me... don't scold her..." he said and lowered his head for her.

"mom, please let him stay... not the night, but... he can't go home," Marlene said, and her mother sighed.

"he... doesn't seem like a bad kid... so okay, what do you say?"

"if... if you mean it, I'll accept your offer" he smiled weakly a bit.

she couldn't help but wonder, 'why could he not go home instead... Marlene, I hope you not getting in trouble' "Drake, are you feeling better to walk and move?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm good to go..." he slowly got up and felt Marlene grab his side and walked with him helping him move easier around.

"can we wait... before picking up my sister, I rather she stay until her school day is over..." he said.

"ah, sure... I think that'll be alright but why?" asked Marlene.

"I don't want to scare her... her big brother in bloody bandages... I'm sure she'll cry... that's the last thing I want to ever see from her" he said watching as her mother held doors for them as they got to her car. they sat together in the back and a quiet and short drive thanks to the car, they were soon at her home. he was helped inside and taken to her room.

"I'm gonna prepare lunch for you two," said her mother. "just watch him okay..."

"I will, thanks, mom..." she removed his face bandages and cleaned him with a hot towel just to cool him a bit and wipe the blood.

"You're being awfully calm seeing blood..." said drake.

"it's easy for most girls..." she said and sighed. "are you really gonna be okay?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, I've been through worst honestly... a car hit me when I was in middle school... and I was pushed down some stairs the first year into school.. yeah, I'll live having five guys jump me..."

she listened to just what trauma he had to endure "okay..." she gently sat on the bed by his head, and moved so she could have him rest on her lap.

"thank you..." he said and closed his eyes. "you smell nice again"

"that's a bit embarrassing... when you lay like this and say that..." she said gently patting his hair.

"Sorry..." he had closed his eyes and began to sleep on her lap.

after a few hours, she left his side to go pick up Sarah, and when he would wake up, they would be home. Sarah was amazed by the big house and many rooms and clean floors and walls.

this made Marlene's mother happy, having another girl in her home and one so sweet like Sarah, they spent their time together downstairs playing. He would wake up later in the evening, feeling much better. he sat up, and looked around. "that's right I'm at her place..." he stood up, feeling hungry, more than ever, and nearly collapsed again. he slowly left the room and went downstairs. he listened to his sister and the two other girls happily talk and provide company to Sarah. he soon met with everyone and Marlene stood up going to get him.

"Woah, big bro was here?" asked Sarah.

Marlene then grabbed his waist. "you should be in bed..."

"I'm feeling better... don't worry... I am just a bit hungry..." his stomach growled loudly.

and this made her mother chuckle. "just a little dear?" she got up and want to bring him food after reheating it. it was cooked salmon with rice and veggies.

"here... eat up..." she said, bringing it to the table.

Marlene sat him between his sister and her. as she began to cut up the food for him to eat and fed him once again.

"Drake... you deserve an apology..." The mother said to him.

he looked up to her and shaped his head. "I didn't think I do... for what?" he asked and looked to Marlene.

"well... at first I was worried you'd be or have been the type to make trouble... I'm sorry, I was far from right and so wrong. forgive me."

"big brother isn't a bad guy and Marlene, why are you feeding my Draky?" she asked crawling up tugging on his arm.

"yes... I'm seeing that now..." The mother said and smiled softly.

Marlene spoke up answering Sarah. "because he hurt his jaw... so I'm helping him..."

"ma'am, you have the right reasons to feel like you, don't worry... I don't care or mind about what people think of me... but I do appreciate your need to clear things up..."

"thank you, Drake"

he softly smiled. "don't worry... I'm sorry for having to trouble Marlene, we just met, but already it seems like she got caught up in my problems" he looked at her and she shook her head.

"it's fine... it's not like it was you who caused the big scene, it was just that jerk..." they said a little, and Sarah looked worried.

"did someone bully Draky?" she asked worriedly.

"hehe... no... one bullied me," he said to her and gently pat her head. his attention back towards Marlen. "thank you... and thank you, ma'am, for the food, it was delicious" he said, and soon felt Marlene lean onto him as well opposite of Sarah who was on his other side.

Marlene's mother saw the sight of the three of them together and made up her mind about him. "please call me Jess, Drake." she said. and took the empty plate from them. "and, please come over again with Sarah" she said now leaving them alone together.

"looks like she'll understand after all," said Marlene. "how are you feeling now that you are?"

"much better... thank you..." affection wasn't much his thing, so he raised his hand around her and gently hugged her. "I mean it... thanks... for the food, and staying by me..."

"yeah... no problem..." she squeezed his shirt softly and then pulled away. "come on Sarah, want to play some games up in my room?"

"yay! big bro, will you come too..." she asked, scooting away and getting up.

"in a bit... go okay ill play later," he told her and heard them both go.

Drake was now alone and saw Jess come back and sit across from him. "now that we are alone... can you tell me the whole story... and your story...?"

"since, your daughter has done a lot for me... I guess it's fair..." he agreed. and sipped on water.

He began to explain to her, his living situation, and the fight that happened in more detail. Jess did understand his situation and understood it wasn't his fault for the trouble around him. they had just a refreshing chat, so she could see him for who he was. when it was over, he made his way upstairs and went back into Marlene's room to play with and spend time with her and Sarah. hopefully, for a while, this was the only trouble he had to deal with hopefully.