Chapter 15

Welcome home

Joshua

I was more than dumb founded. Seeing her like that was one thing I never expected. She was different. She was confident. The door flew open. I looked over to see my dad and my stepmother. They'd been shopping to get everything ready for Hope's return. What they didn't know was that she was already back.

"Josh, a little help."

"I can't understand why you're going all out, it's just Hope."

"We haven't seen her for two months, Josh."

"Didn't she write or call?"

"They weren't aloud to Josh, the place is run by the army their strict no letters, no calls, no mobiles."

"Yadda, yadda, whatever."

"Don't be like that, Josh. I want you to be nice to your sister when she comes home."

"Sure, whatever dad."

"I mean it Josh, you've been unbearable for the last two months."

Cause he took her away from me.

"Please try and be nice and keep that aggressive mood away from her."

"I'll try for you."

"You'll do more than try, you will do."

"Sure dad."

"So you can start by helping us."

"Fine." I huffed. I just wanted to see if she was okay. Why I don't know. I never cared before.

After I finished helping, I told them I'd be in my room. They nodded and thanked me for my help, yeah, whatever. I just wanted to see Hope something was truly different about her and I was going to find out what.

I leaped up the stairs. Hopefully, she'd be finished unpacking by now so I could talk to her. I got close to her room. The door was ajar.

It sounded like she was talking to someone.

"So how is it being in the same house as him?"

"Easier than I thought it would be."

"So he, hasn't, you know?"

"No, he was shocked to see me, that's for sure."

"So what happened?"

"That's it, nothing. I was expecting him to go apeshit, but he didn't. I just played it cool and spoke to him as if what he had done didn't bother me."

"Go girl."

"So how about you two? How did things go when you got home?"

"Same shit different day, he thought he could pull one over on me. When he figured he couldn't, he put me in a neck hold. He didn't expect me to throw him over me and almost break his bones."

Wow, what did they teach them there?

"What about you, Sawyer?"

"He thought things would go back to how they were. He was sadly mistaken. I punched him clear and broke his nose."

"Good for you."

"We'll all have to meet up."

I inched her door. "Yeah."

"It's me."

"I've got to go guys."

"Is that him?"

"Yeah."

"Keep your head held high girl."

"Make sure he won't intimidate you anymore."

"I will, bye guys."

"Later girl."

She logged off as I entered the room. "So who was that?"

"Just some guys I met at the camp."

"I hope you're not cheating on Caleb."

"No they're my friends. Besides I get on better with guys than girls."

That was true.

"Everyone missed you Hope, all my friends were surprised when you didn't turn in for school for the last few exams.'

"Well for those two weeks I was in hospital Josh."

"I'm sorry Hope."

"Are you?"

"Yes. I'd like to start again."

"Why? So you can turn it all around and bully me again?"

"No."

"I don't have time for this Josh."

"Please. We'll start on a clean slate."

"I'll think about it."

"What hapepend to you Hope? You've changed you're a total different girl."

"I grew up and realised I was worth more than what you thought I was. The camp taught me a lot Josh not only how to be strong, but to be who I am supposed to be."

"So, tell me about it."

"I don't know."

I jumped on the bed next to her. I looked at her. 'Please tell me. I'd like to know."

"Why so you can turn your shit around, so you know how to control me agian?"

"No, I'm just interested."

"Okay." She sighed.

I smiled I'd finally made a break through. I sat and listened intentley as she told me all about the camp. "Oh our parents are back they don't know your here I thought you'd like to surprise them."

"Thanks Josh."

"What for?"

"Taking the time to listen."

I smiled. "I'd like us to be friends Hope. I know we started off on the wrong foot, but I'd like to put it right if you let me."

She smiled, and fuck that smile melted my heart. It was the first time she'd ever smiled at me.

"I'd like that Josh, a lot."

My turn to smile this was going to be the beginning of a new friendship and I'd make sure I'd protect her from the world and guys like me.

I pulled myself up off the bed holding my hand out. She looked nervously at it. "Come on Hope, it doesn't bite. Let's show our parents we can be civil to one another."

"Okay."

She slid her hand in mine. I tightened my grip around it pulling her to her feet and when I say this felt right it fucking felt amazing.

I led her out of her room downstairs. Our parents looked up. "Hope I didn't expect you back till tonight."

"I got back early."

"Give your mom a hug."

Her hand slipped from mine, it suddenly felt cold and I felt lonely, she hugged her mom and my dad. "We're so happy to have you home Hope."

"I'm glad to me home."

"Where's your brother, wasn't he dropping you off?"

"He did mom. He had to get back to the barracks."

"Of course he did and he just couldn't stop by to say hi to his mom?"

"He's in the army mom, he has duties to attend. He'll be away for six months."

"I know honey. I'm just upset he couldn't stay for your welcome home supper."

She smiled. So that's what he done for a living I never saw him suited up so I guess he was at the camp too with the big ugly dude that came in fully of tats and a scary ass Scar on his face. I wonder what his story is. Who the fuck cares Hope is home and that's all that matters.

The door bell rang. "I'll get it."

Hope went to answer the door. Caleb stood smiling like a Cheshire Cat, fuck. "Caleb." She said her arms flying around him.

"Hope." He said, putting his arms around her pulling her into a hug making my blood boil.

"Welcome home Hope." He said, kissing her cheek.