Chapter 2 Fighting for You 2

Ethan

I say:

“Alright, little one, let’s change this.”

I lay her on my bed while I change my shirt, which now smells like baby vomit. Judith laughs, not caring at all about what she did to me. I laugh back at her. She’s now biting her hands, and that seems to be the best entertainment in the world for her right now.

I stay with her for the rest of the afternoon until she finally falls asleep after I change her diaper. Now I can finally rest for a few minutes before Mom gets home from work.

Judith is on the sofa with me. I open Instagram to see if there’s anything about what happened. There isn’t, but knowing Justin and his friends well, it won’t take long. I run my hands over my eyes. How did I let this happen?

I’m focused on that and on my future shitty life at that school when someone knocks on the door. Unfortunately, the noise wakes Judith, already leaving me discouraged because I won’t have any more time to rest.

The knocking continues while I pick her upotherwise she might fall if left alone and I shout at what must be some lazy delivery guy:

“I’m coming, damn it!”

Judith isn’t happy and whines, about to cry. I open the door and come face to face with someone I never expected to see at my house in a million years. Justin Ashmore. My face burns with surprise and embarrassment at having him here. He looks surprised too, but says:

“I need to talk to you.”

He glances from me to Judith and she starts crying now. I try to calm her, but it’s no use. He stands there not knowing what to do or say. I thank my sister for this and tell him:

“I can’t talk right now, I’m busy.”

He says:

“Can’t you give her to someone? Your mom maybe?”

I reply:

“I’m home alone. I take care of her.”

He really looks surprised now. He doesn’t say anything while I try to calm Judith, who gradually stops crying and starts smiling again this little shameless one. I play with her now that she seems happy instead of someone who wanted to bring the world down with her crying seconds ago.

Then I look at him standing there. I’m about to say I don’t have time right now, especially because I’m really scared of what’s coming next, but my mom arrives, greets us, and goes straight to talk to Judith in my arms, who raises her little arms toward her.

He then says:

“Can we talk now?”

I nod and say:

“But not here.”

I tell my mom I’m going out with my friend. She doesn’t even question it too much on her mind, and I don’t blame her. The problem is we’re not friends, and judging by Justin’s crowd, he’s definitely going to take me somewhere to beat me up or worse. He probably has some of his friends hidden somewhere to help him beat me up, since he himself shouldn’t do it.

Or maybe he’ll do it and cover it up for the coach. Either way, I’m screwed. I walk slowly and he follows me to a forest next to my house. We always go there for trails and it’s well known by the residents.

He catches me off guard when he asks along the way:

“You take care of your sister?”

Unfortunately, I try to use that to get a little compassion from him:

“Every day after school until four, when my mom gets home from work.”

He doesn’t say anything, but he seems to be thinking about something. Great.

We reach a secluded spot and I say:

“Look, if you want to finish me off, let’s do it already. I still have to watch her so my mom can take a shower.”

He says:

“You think I’m going to solve this with violence?”

I’m surprised now and he continues:

“I’m not like the guys on the wrestling team. I just want to talk about what happened earlier. What the fuck was that?”

If he’s thinking about showing mercy, I might as well tell him the reason for everything.

“My dad left three months ago.”

He keeps looking at me and I continue:

“My mom had to double her work hours and now my older sister takes care of baby Judith in the morning and I do it in the afternoon because my sister also started working.”

He doesn’t seem impatient, just a little confused, and I’m getting there.

“I haven’t had time for anything. My little sister moved into my room because she has anxiety and won’t sleep alone.”

I look at him, feeling a bit embarrassed now, especially because of what happened, and say:

“So it’s been a few months since I, you know… haven’t had any time for myself, alone.”

He thinks for a bit but soon understands. I conclude:

“I’m not gay or anything like that, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

I add:

“But nothing against those who are.”

He stays quiet for a while thinking about what I said. Then he says:

“You passed the test. You moved up a belt.”

I just say:

“What?”

He says:

“You heard me. I’ll see you at practice tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

Justin

I stay standing here, watching him walk away without saying a word, more from the surprise of what just happened here.

What that kid told me is messing with my head. Not just that, but everything that happened in general. I kept thinking about what he said in the car, thinking about the life he has, and even more reliving what happened at school earlier.

I know I’ve been hard on him ever since he decided to join the team. He seemed like one of those guys who only join judo to get the jacket or to show off to someone that he’s part of it.

He’s always been one of the best in the new group, but he lacked focus and discipline, which irritated me and made me ride him hard.

Now I understand a bit of his side. I’m lying in my bed still thinking about it when I get a message:

Jonah: Party at Mindy’s house?

Me: Sure

Me: I’ll be there soon…

“You look so hot in that outfit, you know?”

Carrie teases me in my ear and I say:

“I bet I look even better without it.”

She smiles mischievously and says:

“Come with me.”