Capítulo 5: Ch. 5 - Friends?
The night he and his sister spent was smooth, thanks to Jess, Marlene's mother, calming down her husband. After all, what father wouldn't worry if they came home with some boy who looks like he's more trouble than he was worth. When morning came, both the clothes for Drake and Sarah were washed.
He woke up early again, as it was just a habit. He was up earlier than everyone else he thought but heard moving past the door. He got up from the floor leaving Marlene's side. and went to see who it was that was up. for a moment he forgot where he was, and shook his nerves off. leaving the room, he saw Marlene's father, up walking around as he was getting dressed. They looked at each other, and he could only guess why he was half-dressed as he stared at Drake. yet before actually getting pissed, he asked Drake. "you didn't touch my daughter did you?"
"no... I couldn't bear to do anything to her shed dislike... besides we're just friends..." he said and talked with him in the hall.
"Is that why you have a hickey on your neck?" he asked and noticed the J.
Drake then wanted to cover it up, but if he for sure had one thing on his neck, how could he not see the other. "uh... it was sudden of her to do that... but that was it... I promise you, nothing happened."
"Alright... you can assume it was because of yesterday, that I was out of line with you because I came home late, and from what I was told things got bad..." he explained.
"no worries, I kinda figured that, since who wouldn't be tired after being up early and coming home late... I get that feeling" Drake said as he was used to it himself.
"You should get back to bed... my wife will wake you all up when it's time for school and eat, we can talk more another time okay kid..." he said, as he seemed a bit more relaxed than when they first met.
"uh... yeah okay... be safe" it stunned Drake what he said, as he even covered his mouth.
This even surprised him. no one was usually awake to tell him anything like that. Yet the first person in a long time was his daughters' friend. However, when he saw how Drake reacted. he felt strange about it. there had to be more with him.
"yeah... I will be... go back to bed now" he still gave Drake a soft smile and turned away heading downstairs.
Drake stood still and looked at his feet. "where... why did I say that?" he thought and told himself. 'he isn't your family... stop it...' he scolded himself, in a way to keep his emotions in line and check. He went back into the room and sat down against the door. "yeah... I'm not falling asleep anytime soon..." he was wide awake now, and this would only hinder him. especially today, and knee that. He went over to his sister and let her sleep in while he grabbed his phone. "shit... the battery..."
He let his guard down a bit too much, when he was around Marlene and also her family. He had seen Marlene's phone was charged, so he then took it upon himself to charge his while turning her phone off as to not waste or drain its life. his phone would only get enough change for a bit but it was something at least. He then laid back with Marlene and tried to fall asleep but didn't get much done. He just sort of closed his eyes here and there. After another forty minutes, he heard her mother now getting up. She hummed in the hall and began to prepare breakfast downstairs. He wasn't getting away for a while, so when he did get tired and bored, he managed to get at least another hour of sleep in, before feeling Marlene start to wake him.
She managed to saddle up on his lap, and gently press on his chest. "hey... Drake, wake up... or you'll miss out on breakfast..." she said as she was still in her pajamas of short shorts and a long shirt on her.
He lifted his arm to rub his eyes and head. "I'm up..." he tried to sit up, but ended up not being able to thank her, and she didn't want to move much either.
"mind slipping off me please Marlene?" he asked as he got a better view of her and how they were.
"And if I don't?" she asked, already in a mood to tease him.
"hm... I wonder... I could just also push you off" he joked. and she replied.
"that'd be very mean of you... what if I hit my head?" she asked and gently laid back on him.
"didn't you say we'd be late for breakfast.. and Sarah?" he asked and she still didn't want to move.
"she already was picked up by my mom... I bet she's sitting ready to eat, or maybe already downstairs being fed" she said and lifted herself off of him. "I'm ready for the day..." she said and smiled down at him.
"What am I a battery?" he asked and sat up now getting up himself as he looked at her.
"Mom left your clothes at the foot of the door... get changed in the bathroom okay, and let's eat together," she said as she walked to her closet. "unless you want to pick out my clothes for the day.
"What you saying, you know we're just gonna wear uniforms anyway..." he said as he walked to the door.
"true, but I was referring to my underwear"
"That's not even remotely funny..." he didn't look back at her.
"I wouldn't mind," she said and watched as he left. "No fun..." she smiled and hummed as she began to get ready for the day.
"she's been watching way too much anime... and read a bit too much Manga or something," he said as he then saw his folded clothes on the found. he picked it up and went to the bathroom to get changed. he took some time, as he also wet his face and fixed up his hair putting it up a bit. When he stepped out, he then walked to her room door and knocked. "hey... Let's go..."
downstairs Jess heard how they acted, and it seemed like all her worries about him were for nothing. She found it charming how they both seemed to act, but also she was concerned if they were friends, to begin with now.
"I'm coming..." she said through the door and walked right out holding his phone and passing it to him. "Thanks to you my phone is dead..."
"it's not, I just turned it off..." he said and turned hers on for her.
"oh... nice" She smiled.
"Yeah sorry, I didn't bring my charger and I didn't want yours to lose charge. it was full before I pulled it so we're good" he said and she smiled.
"way to think ahead, okay let's get to eat already" she grabbed his hand and began heading down together.
in the kitchen, he saw his sister eating already with a big grin on her face.
He saw pancakes on the table. "I don't remember the last time I had pancakes..." he said and even couldn't remember if he had any.
"sit down bro! it's yummy" she said to him and even got down to pull his seat for him.
"Hey, don't move so much when you're eating, and chew before you talk," he said walking to her and lifting her back to her seat. but also wiped her mouth. she was smiling the whole time and more when her brother showed up and Marlene.
They both sat down, with her and soon Jess joined them. "Did you two sleep well...? I saw how clingy you two were when I went to wake you all" she said.
both didn't know what to say as she had pretty much got them off guard.
"I haven't done anything to her..." he said in the case that's what she was worried about.
"Oh, I don't mean anything by it, Drake... I trust you with my Marlene, but this is for both of you... what are you two now?" even Sarah had her attention to them.
"we're... friends," he said and began to think about it. he looked at her and it seemed even she was confused about what to think.
"yeah... friends..." Marlene said.
Jess smiled, as to her, she was witnessing her daughter just growing up.
Sarah looked at them. and didn't see what her parents were with them. She saw a happy brother and someone who loves him. This made her happy. "I'm done," she said, finishing breakfast.
"Oh, Let's take you to school then... Do you two want to walk to school after breakfast or should I wait and drop you both off?" Jess asked, while she got up and helped Sarah.
"I don't mind walking... but, if Marlene wants to ride, I'll go with you," he said. and got her answer.
"I'll walk with Drake, do you remember where her school is right?" she asked her mother.
"yup... you two lock up before you leave then... ready Sarah?" she said and held her hand as the two began to walk and leave the house.
it was now just them alone, and Drake asked.
"so... what are we exactly?" he looked over to her.
"I have no clue myself..." she said slowly while eating her breakfast.
"Let's get going... we don't want to be late..." he said and finished eating. She grabbed his things and got ready to leave with her. It was just a few minutes, and after locking up they began walking to school together.
"About what my mom said, don't worry or think too much about Drake..." she told him. "she is probably just messing with us.
He was quiet, and thought about it for a second. so there was an awkward silence for a moment. "well..." he felt like his words were being held back, but did get them out.
"well... I don't really mind if we are more than just friends you know..." he said.
"huh...?" she stopped and got flustered.
"Yeah, I don't mind since I met you... it's been easier for me to open up... it's also been... fun. I get to act like any other kid my age should in high school... I feel. warm with you. so I don't mind... if you don't mind, if we are more than friends..." he said looking at her. in a straightforward confession. She didn't know what to say or do.
"hey, I'm glad you... can figure it out and all... but.. saying. cringy stuff like..." she raised her hands to hide her face. "can get a girl flustered... I don't even know, how to react"
"oh, I don't mind if you don't want to start anything... as long as we can, still be friends... I don't mind one bit" he said and she looked up at him again.
"Just... give me time to think about this okay..." she said, not exactly rejecting the idea. as she grabbed onto his arm and kept walking once again.
He didn't say anything else and walked with her. "Did you sleep well enough?"
he asked and she softly spoke. "yeah. I was next to you... so, I enjoyed it... usually, I get dragged out of bed... but, maybe with you, I managed through today a lot better" she said.
"I'm glad to hear it... if you want... why don't, I start coming by to pick you up... I'll drop off Sarah... and go get you..." he suggested.
"no... I live just a bit too far... I can't make you do that, Draky..."
"I don't mind one bit..." he said.
"if you think you can do it... okay... just don't overdo it... you need sleep, I know you're up early..." she said and. pressed her cheek on his shoulder.
"Alright... we can try tomorrow then. it'll be Friday, so I'll have the weekend if I can't do it," he said.
"Are you doing anything this weekend?" she asked.
"likely not... but... I probably will visit Maria... or the library for the day with Sarah... home isn't somewhere I want to be for too long..." he said.
"Who's Maria?" she asked, looking up to him.
"The school principal... oh I haven't told you... my bad... She is the wife of my counselor. you saw him when I was in the nurses' room right?"
"Yeah, I did..." she then looked back ahead.
"So yeah, I'll probably spend the day with them... and leave Sarah too... since I might also have to work..." he said.
"at that diner you mentioned... you sure you're not overwhelmed by all that, school, work and the councilor meeting...?" she asked.
"I'll be fine... I asked for it after all... how else can I leave home to do something better for myself.." he said, and then told her. "sorry. I kinda rambled on didn't I and shared a bit too much..."
"It's okay, I enjoy listening to you... and I'm glad you can be so relaxed with me..." she said and held onto his arm more. "Just don't replace me..."
"I don't think I ever could..." he said and held onto her hand when she reached to hold him.
"Good..." she kept walking with him. and she couldn't believe this was someone who people were afraid to approach. sure he looked mean, doesn't have that friendly stare or smile. but, it seemed like he was a lot kinder than anyone would have thought. She liked this side of him, but she also then thought of his fight just yesterday. he was strong and she had to admit to herself he looked cool. but it scared her, the whole situation, and just what trouble he would get involved with.
"Draky, can you not get into so much trouble..." she asked. "before you think... 'oh she's like everyone who thinks I start stuff' don't... stop that... I'm just worried... that someone will want to start something... so..." she hid her face.
"I'll be fine, thanks for your concern..." he said, raising his left hand up to pat her head. "I never want to start fights... so I only do so out of self-defense," he added. "I can't start fights unless I'm looking to get suspended or expelled. but I can't have that... so I promise you I'll be careful... I can't leave my sister in that home"
'So for your sister, you'll stay at school?' It was a selfish thought. but then she heard him also add on.
"and... I can't leave you behind either Marlene..."
she gripped his sleeve and tightened her hand on his. "okay..." she was happy, it wasn't just a sister he thought of. but also of her. she leaned up and kissed his neck again.
"again?" he asked, now forced to be still with her. "and in public no less..."
she gently bit this time, and when she stopped she answered. "because you're mine Draky..." she smiled and blushed red but then hid her face against his arm again.
he was unable to think, and slowly walked again with her. "okay..." he said, happy with this sudden relationship with her.
together they went to school and entering got the attention of everyone. what was a baseless rumor ended up now being true. It was just the fourth day of school in the new year. and already it seemed like that one delinquent was making notches in his belt. while got stares, and heard some mumbling, he ignored it all, while she did it too, she was more or less overhearing the girl's side of the gossiping. together they headed to their class however, sat apart. She was by the window and she was closer to the doors. so when the bell rang right as they stepped in, they were apart as they sat down.
'So it's true man?' said one friend to another behind Drake. where he was sitting.
'Yup, he's totally with her... you wouldn't think she's that easy do you? after all he was able to nail her'
'What about their kid, man?'
'Whatever dude, nothing but blackmail I say... teenagers shouldn't even be having kids' they kept talking, and all he could do was drown it out.
and on the other side, Marlene has to endure her half of the gossip. two female classmates whispered. 'She dresses and wears makeup like a slut. no way they are gonna last...'
'Give it a month I say, then we can have him' 'why wait...? we clearly have the better bodies'
They continued whispering, and of course, it would just go on for most of the class. it didn't seem like it was ending anytime soon.
the first bell rang, and it would time for p.e. Next, so during the break, he stayed seated, and only glanced at the other side of the room to see Marlene. she was being slightly crowded. since he seemed unapproachable, they targeted her.
Marlene laid her head and listened to the girls, but also heard some of the guys who wanted to talk with her. but she didn't care. It was crazy since in her mind no one looked in her direction to talk with until she began to associate herself with Drake.
he then got up, and walked over to them, they got quiet and gave space to him. "Marlene... let's go..." he had his hand in his pockets and looked down to her in what looked like she was inferior, but that was just how he looked. the girls spoke up.
"We were talking, kinda rude..."
"Okay Draky..." she said, and got up, as a boy then stopped her.
"Hey, we were just talking, don't go yet..."
"You're all annoying her..." he said and went to hold her hand.
She took it and followed him. behind them they heard. 'tch, fucking pretty boy...'
'maybe she's just a slut for anyone tough guy'
"fucking assholes..." Drake said, and stopped in the hall, as he looked at Marlene. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine... they were just annoying..." she said and clung onto him again.
"This is my fault..." he said as he blamed himself for the negative attention around her.
"how? because you're a bad-looking guy and some girls are jealous... your alright Drake" she said and held him.
"you're way too good at being perceptive..." he said and hugged her.
"It's how I got to meet you..." she smiled.
"Let's head up to the roof to kill time... we got p.e. next, so we won't be hassled as much," he said.
"Yeah, I suppose. I doubt it though, they seem to have their eyes on all of us" she said and began to walk with him up the stairs. "it won't stay like this forever is it."
"just some time... but as a favor... to me, wait for me when class is over next period... I'll come to get you"
"huh? aren't we gonna be in the same class?" she asked.
"not my last one... it's a tech class, so I got to be with the upperclassmen that are taking it... I never brought it up, but I was held back one grade" he told her.
"no way? so what you are a year older than me?" she wondered.
"Yeah, That's about right... sorry, you really do have a bad friend around" he said walking with her out to the roof as they began to climb up higher with him helping her.
"I never would have guessed... and I don't see a bad friend. I just have a bad boyfriend" she teased and jumped onto him to lay on him.
"if you say so..." he said and smiled holding onto her. "You're very different when we're together..."
"Is that bad?" she asked.
"no... you're fine how you are..." he smiled and gently patted her back.
"Since you invited me here, what are we going to do now?" she asked.
"not much else, I just wanted us to get away from all that downstairs..." he spoke honestly to her. since he still did feel bad like it was his fault.
"Alright... Here is an idea... tell me about what you like? you know, stuff you can enjoy... you must have made time for maybe going to one or two movies" she said, wanting to get to know him.
"ah, well, if I had to say. I did go to an arcade once... it was fine. I was pretty bad at everything though... I don't think I made time ever again to go... I spent my only dollar just to lose it..."
"awe... that's no fun... and sad... tell you what, if you end up working Saturday, and not Sunday, let's go to one together, my treat, does that sound good?" she asked.
"uh sure... but, I'll have to leave Sarah with someone... would it be alright if your mom watched her for a time?"
"shell be happy too, she doesn't work, so she stays home taking care of the house, she'll love having Sarah around... and hey, I noticed she doesn't have the best of clothes, and so do you... so how about we go shopping some time" She added on.
"That's too much... and let's do one thing at a time okay... let's start with the arcade, but... I would also love to do that shopping stuff... when I have the money... deal?" he said, and she understood.
"Sounds reasonable, okay sure. deal" she leaned up and kissed him on his lips softly.
Drake held onto her stomach waist and slowly kissed back following her lead into it. when it broke, she smiled and laid on him more.
It was just a moment of quiet for them. just enjoying one another's company.
On the other side of town, was another matter. Marlene's father was working, and being the new chief of police up until recently, he still couldn't shake the feeling of last night, so, on his break, he began to dig up files under Drake, and for further results to narrow it down, he also made sure to check for anyone under a certain age rather than look for anyone who were adults, what he ended up finding disturbed him. an actual file under police records came up. He was also only 10 at the time. He began to read off to himself. 'breaking and entering, drug possession and theft. The list was small, but what interested him the most was also his medical record. a drug overdose, broken ribs, and fractures. he wasn't sure who Drake was, the nice teenager he saw in his home. or this child with his same name and looks that seems almost dead to the world.
"Jesus..." he said, as he sat back in his seat and wondered how he was gonna deal with this. He didn't want someone like that around his daughter. and he wanted to know where and who exactly were his parents. but with his file, it led him to think he may be an orphan or something. Still, even that was hard to see when he really thought about it. "Drake was hesitant to talk about his home... so he lives with someone... but who?" he wondered and sure enough he thought about it the rest of his shift and day. "God, this an invasion of his privacy and this way against normal protocol... but..." he then noticed a transfer. later in the history. and most recently he had just been released from juvenile detention. "this was fairly recent... and who is in charge of this man?" he wondered, and then saw the name of Drake's counselor. "Trey... alright, now how do I get in contact with him... but... there isn't a justifiable reason for me too, this is just personal... yeah... I won't have a good or valid reason..." he looked at his picture and thought. "I just won't be an officer then..." he said, making up the plan. to meet with this Trey, as someone casually. and not on the job.
His break ended, so he began to work back on the clock.
On the other side of town, Trey, Drake's councilor, was in his office, making files and updates to files, as well as keeping track of how a few others under his supervision were doing outside of school, all of which had been doing well, and he notably looked at Drake's file more. "It's been what, six years… maybe we should invite you to dinner some time kid... Nah, you wouldn't like that. but, it'd be nice if he did talk with us more.." the same picture Maria had on her desk, Trey also had on his. after reminiscing of their past, he soon saw an email later in the day. "from the chief of police?" he was alert as he read through it, but then relaxed even though it was just for a sit-down and talk.
"if I had to guess... this isn't just anyone he wants to talk about..." he was hesitant to accept since he didn't have to agree. The email he got even said he didn't have to. but something in his gut turned, making him forward back to him. He agreed to meet tomorrow together for lunch. It was the best chance they have since they could go on breaks and just talk it out. "Why do I feel so uneasy about this..."
Back at the school, Maria was out walking around and heard the rumors of both Drake and Marlene. 'These kids... don't they have anything better to do than gossip...' she thought to herself. 'where are they even?' she finally thought to herself. as that side of her came from her motherly instincts. She was worried about Drake after yesterday and now today with the rumors. 'They can't seem to leave him alone can they...' the bell rang, and classes started again.
"Time for us to go," said Drake to Marlene as she sat up and crawled off of him.
"seems like it... we got P.E. so you better keep your eyes on me," she said, only half teasing him.
together they went down, as they grabbed their bags and change of clothes for this class. They separated, each going into different locker areas to change. Drake with the boys, and Marlene with the girls obviously.
It had been a wild few days for Drake, but, when he thought about it. These past days have been calming. He didn't mind it. much better than what he has to deal with in his time in middle school. and out on the streets, he was relieved at the fact this year may not be as bad, it was just wishful thinking on his part.
When he began to strip down and change clothes, he did his best to ignore the comments of the other guys. they made remarks on his skin, how he always had a hood or clothes that covered him, yet managed a tan. claiming he must have been spoiled to get one. or other remarks on his piercing and some even saying that his nipples weren't after the first day and what they heard. but what also stuck out, was the marks on his neck and his tattoo. that made them ask.
"what's the J stand for Draky?"
He stopped and began to remember some of his actions with the gang he was associated with back then. how as a kid, he had to do things just to get a little bit of cash. but also relived the moments he hated in his life but answered them. "It symbolizes the Joker. like in a deck of cards..."
they smirked and chuckled to themselves. "but, you normally take out that dumb card in any game..."
'not in a game meant which the adults play and control' he said to himself and just finished changing.
while they kept talking with themselves, in the other changing room Marlene had to deal with her gossip around her.
"Hey, so Marlene right? Is it true you're already a mom?" one said and another added. "How's that? being such a... Slut..." they really emphasized that word.
"I'm still a virgin..." was all she said.
and this Alerted and got them all thinking. "No way! so is he a single dad or something? that sounds hot, but isn't it also you know... illegal?"
For the first time, Marlene was scared. even if it wasn't true. she felt like she just gave them bullets to fire at her and him. She then knew how to fix it. "it's his sister... stop jumping to conclusions," she said calmly. "Only Tramps looking to stay single do that"
"huh. no way, they look nothing alike… and what was that you slut?"
"she is... just leave them alone," she said.
"or what?" they said.
"Bitch…" one girl said after Marlene left.
she didn't have anything to say back. so she didn't. she finished changing and left quickly as it suddenly felt suffocating in that locker.
Both were the first out of their whole class and stuck together. Stares were on them, yet when they remained together, they talked between themselves. they were able to endure it together so long as they stuck together.
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