Chapter 20

Confessions

Joshua

Hope walked alone she was meeting Josh and Caleb once they were done, their classes were a little longer than hers. Though she had to shower today three days out of five they would make sure they were physically active. Though she was already going to the gym four times week to keep up with her training and boy was she keeping up with it. It was pure torture but she knew she had to do it to make her brother, Scar and the other proud of her.

She was suddenly pushed with force to the wall. His green eyes staring at her.

"River what the hell?"

"God Hope what the hell happened to you? You were hot before, but damn you're even hotter now. Did you go to a weightlifting camp or something?"

"No. I went to a camp, but not a weightlifting one."

"You've changed a lot since you left. You remind me of Sawyer, he's not the brother I remember he's got more cockier since he went to that camp mom made him go to over summer to make him man up."

She stared at him.

"Where did you meet my brother Hope and no bullshit the truth."

She stared emotionless at him.

"Nagh not you, you're the strongest girl I've ever known, you were never scared to open your mouth and tell people how it was."

"Well, shit happens."

He got closer. "I miss you, Hope. I want to start again, begin where we finished off."

"Sorry no."

'You're saying no to me?!"

"I am. I have someone River."

"Who?"

"Me."

He snapped his head around. "Harper."

Let her go McKinley."

"I don't think so we're not finished yet."

"Yes, we are."

"No, we're not."

''You are McKinley, now lose her."

"No she's mine and I'm making damn sure to continue where we left off."

I laughed. "God you're delusional River. We're done, over."

"No, we're not. You're my girl."

"No I'm not."

"Come on angel."

I pushed passed River heading over to Caleb, who threw his arm over my shoulders.

"So you're seeing him?"

"I am."

"I'm better than him and you know that sweetheart."

I laughed out loud. "Don't kid yourself Rivier, we're done so stay the hell away from me."

"Never."

"Come on angel Josh is waiting for us."

"This isn't over sweetheart."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"Come on angel, he isn't getting the hint. Let's go."

"You'll regret this.'

"No you will, goodbye McKinley."

We both headed through the campus. Josh was standing smoking as Caleb and Hope walked towards him. He stamped out his cigarette and smiled. "So you found her?"

"Yeah McKinley had confronted her."

He nodded and his facial expression looked scared but why?

"Come on, let's get out of here."

"Yes, let's it's been a hectic first day and all I need right now is sleep."

They laughed at Hope walking home. "I'll see you tomorrow, Angel." Caleb said, gently kissing her.

"Aren't you coming in?"

"Not tonight, angel. You and Josh needs to talk, angel.'

"Oh okay.'"She replied, confused.

"Later bro.'

"Bye Caleb."

He smiled nodding walking away. They entered the house. She closed the door.

Guess they were all alone neither of our parents were in so I guess they were both working late. "What's going in Josh ? How do you know River?"

"You best sit down Hope this could take some time."

"Oh okay." I said, taking a seat, this was going to be a long night.

He sat down beside her. He looked into her questioning eyes. How could he tell her his past? She'd hate him even more.

"Are you okay Josh?"

"It's just a little hard."

"Take your time." She said, smiling.

When he finally felt as if he could talk about it and how Caleb had helped him through it all only for him to turn it around once Hope had turned up at his home.

"I met River at Primary school, I was five and he was the meanest and scariest kid there. He decided from day one he didn't like me, he made it a mission to make me look like a worthless piece of shit. He beat me up daily and made other kids laugh at me. I had no friends, until Caleb. He was six when he began our school. He was like no other kid there; he wasn't scared of River and that made River hate him more. He saw how River was treating me and he saw River and his firends beating me up. He came to my rescue Hope, he beat them to a pulp, all of them. I was grateful for his help. He took me under his wing and taught me how to stick up for myself. We've been friends ever since."

She looked at him in disbelief he'd been bullied too, was this the reason he had tuned out the way he had and bullied her too? "Was he the reason you bullied me?"

He shook his head.

"Then why?'

"I'm sorry Hope I was angry. Angry my dad had found a replacement for my mom, angry that you were moving in. I just snapped and took it out on you."

"I was angry too Josh. I didn't want it any more than you did. But, it didn't mean that I was going to bully you, hurt you physically and emotionally because I wasn't happy with the situation. I just wanted to ignore you cause you and your dad caused us to up and leave our home. I had to leave my friends behind and start again, at lest you still and your friends Josh. I had none." She said, angrily.

"I'm sorry Hope. I wish I could change it all, but I can't."

"Why did you change Josh?"

He looked at her confused. "Wha?"

"What changed Josh for you not to hate me any more, for you not to bully me, and not beat me to a pulp?"

"I honestly don't know Hope. It wasn't my intention when you returned home I wanted to do nothing more than take all my anger out on you again."

"So why didn't you?"

"I saw you, a different you. You were so grown up and so not you. You'd changed Hope, you were more confident and not afraid of me. To be honest I was more scared of you." He laughed.

She smiled.

He placed his hands in hers. "I don't want to go back to the old me Hope. I like this new me and I know you do too, but it's going to be hard to stay like this will you help me stay in touch?"

She smiled, nodding her head. "I will. I like this new you and I hope I never have to see the old you again."

"I can't promise anything, but I will try my best not to go back to that person."

"You can only try your best Josh and that all I'll ever ask for."

He smiled moving forward kissing her cheek. He felt a weight lifted from him being able to talk to her about her past and his confession to why he was the way he was with her.

He took his hands of hers pacing them around her holding her close to him. She slowly closed her eyes.

The front door closed and their parents walked in looking at them sleeping peacefully on the sofa, their arms wrapped around one another, smiling as her mother reached out for a blanket placing it over them before they both crept up the stairs leaving them to sleep peacefully.

Me, Josh and Caleb were starting college today, me I personally couldn't wait. I had promised not to tell Caleb what had gone down between me and Josh after he'd dropped me off as we'd discussed the matter and he'd apologised.

"Are you ready Hope?'

"Yeah I'm coming."

"Well hurry your ass or we'll be late."

"Sure, sure whatever." I replied, closing my bedroom door behind me.

I bounced down stairs, both Josh and Caleb looked up and smiled at me. "So are we finally ready to go?"

"We are.'

"Finally." Josh huffed.

"Ignore him angel.' He said, entwining his fingers with mine. "Lets go or we won't make it for nine."

I nodded in agreement. "Lets do this."

Josh opened the door and stepped out Caleb pulling me out with him.

I closed and locked the door and we were finally on our way to college. I for one was excited even if they weren't.

As we entered college I saw three familiar faces. They all turned smiling widely. 'Hope!' They screamed, in unison.

Joshua held a confused look upon his face, where as Caleb grinned widely, did he know something I didn't?

"Sawyer Skylar, Kyro."

We ran to each other embracing each other in a bear hug. "So this was my surprise?"

"It is are you happy to see us?"

"I am."

We released each other from our hug. I looked at Caleb, who was still grinning. "Did you know about this?"

He grinned widely. "I was sworn to secrecy."

"Will someone like to tell me what the hell is gong on?"

We all looked at Josh, I forgot he was there.

Whoops.

"Josh these are my friends from camp Sawyer, Skylar and Kyro."

"Typical, guys. Can't make friends with girls?" He grumbled.

"Guys this is my brother. Josh." she smiled.

"She called me her brother, she must be in a good mood." He thought.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

They all shuck hands, for once I was greatful Josh didn't say anything sarky.

"We best head in and find out where our classes are."

"Agreed."

We all walked away heading in to find out which rooms our classes were in.

We had all agreed to meet at lunch time seen as this place wasn't like school and we didn't all have breaks, and if we did they weren't together as Joshua was doing different course than us. Caleb was doing some other courses too.

We all had our lunch in the student cafe and went outside as Josh needed a cigarette. I never knew he smoked, but then again I never paid much attention to him unless he was besting me to a pulp. I had tried to put it behind me as much as I possibly could still not understand his turnaround.

"Well, well, well, I never thought I'd see the day when little Sawyer made friends." The well built dark hair, the tanned teenager said.

Sawyer looked at him alarmingly making every one look confused at his change of dominar, he'd been pretty chatty up to now. "Fuck you"' He gritted out.

"Tut Tut Tut, that's no way to talk to your brother."

I snapped my head around, I'd heard so much about this guy it made me sick to the stomach. His friends stood circling us. "Just who the hell do you think you are? Who the hell do you think you are just walking up to us and disturbing the peace? You're not at home now and you think that you can act like he's your fucking lap dog."

"Oh but he is Darlin."

"Go bully someone else."

"'Hope don't." Sawyer warned.

"Hope Evans?"

"Yes, whose asking?"

"God your memory sure cut you short. River McKenley."

Fuck not now, she'd out him behind her when she left her old high school.

"So you not only bullied half the school, but you bullied your brother too? your own family. I guess I should've expected any less from you."

"You two know each other?"

"Unfortunately yes. Hes my ex."

They all gasped.

"Did I ever treat you badly sweetheart?"

"Always, you bullied me into a relationship I never wanted. Then you made sure everyone know that I was with you. then you made my life a living hell."

"I loved you sweetheart. Then you decided you had to up and leave."

"My Mom made me, what didn't you get about that? We were starting a new life somewhere else. I may have not liked the idea, but one thing I was glad of was leaving you behind."

"You don't mean that sweet heart."

"Yes I do"

"Come on Hope, let's go this isn't getting anywhere fast."

River's head snapped as Joshua finally decided to speak."Well, well if its not Kingsley, shit his duds is all grown up."

Hope looked at Joshua, confused did he know River too? Nagh he couldn't, could he?

"Fuck off McKenley haven't you done enough damage already?"

"Well, well I see you've got Harper in your corner again Kingsley."

"Leave McKenlely unless you want a repeat of primary school."

"Can't wait." he looked at Hope. "We'll see each other soon."

"In hell."

"Can't wait.' He said winking and grinning at her. he looked at Sawyer. "I'll see you at home bro." he said, turning walking away his friends following suit.

"Are you okay Sawyer?"

"I am, you're very brave or very stupid."

"I had to put up with his ass for two years, I'd say both."