Okay I'm going to repost all the chapters here because some reason the story is locked up for me so I'll post new chapters here until the other thread works again.
Broken Homes and Broken Hearts
Prologue
Heather Samuels lived in an old abandon shack in outskirts of Wyckoff; she had lived there for the last two years of her life after she ran away from her abusive step-mother. Now she was trying to survive the harsh winter that was coming, one day when she went to a small shop to steal some blankets so she wouldn’t freeze at night she ran into a boy; a boy who seemed to be running away from his problems. Will they be able to help each other out? Or will it fall to pieces once Heather finds out who he really is?
Chapter 1
The snow crunched under my feet as I made my journey to a local store that was about a mile from my shack, I wrapped my arms tighter around my loose fitted sweater trying to stay warm. Small snowflakes began to fall around me causing me to shiver as they touched my bare neck, my light blonde hair not long enough to cover it.
After a few minutes of walking I finally found my destination it was a very small store with a neon sign that hung loosely off its hinges looking like it could fall any second. Stepping inside I heard the soft jingle that always played when you entered the store, I gave a smile to the young girl behind the counter that was chewing her gum obnoxiously. Quickening my pace I went up and down a couple of aisles a grin formed on my face as I found a light brown bag that looked big enough to carry what I needed. I looked around to see if there were any security cameras or anyone watching but luckily there was none so I tore off the tags so the alarm wouldn’t go off when I left.
Walking farther down I saw what I was looking for; plush warm blankets they looked like they could keep warm until winter was over with. I unzipped the bag quickly the adrenaline kicked in my fingers tingling as I picked up a blanket and was about to stuff it in there when I heard a loud cough behind me. I froze dropping the blanket and bag on the floor my heart hammering against my chest.
“Were you about to steal that?” A low husky voice asked. I turned around slowly seeing a guy around my age with a mound of curly brown hair and hazel brown eyes he seemed to be around my height or a few inches taller. His clothes consisted of tight black skinny jeans, light brown button up jacket and a pair of cowboy boots.
“Um no?” My voice cracking as his eyes bore into mine I tore away from his gaze my face flushing.
“Right,” A small smirk formed on his face as he stepped closer to me, “I could buy it for you if you want me to at least.” My head snapped up, my hands balled into tight fists. He probably only wanted to buy it for me because how I looked; loose fitted blue jeans that had tears from where tree branches would cut me when I walked around the small forest, a light colored sweater that looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks (which it hadn’t since the small creek froze up.) and my tattered green converses.
“No, that’s fine I don’t need your help.” I snapped bending down picking up the blanket putting it back in place when he snatched it from my hands. I looked at him in disbelief as he had a playful grin on his face as he held it high above my head so I couldn’t reach it. “Give that to me!” I yelled jumping in a sad attempt to get it.
“No not until you let me get this for you.” He laughed at me as I kept jumping; it kept going until I finally caved getting tired from trying to snatch it from him. “Good now that’s over go grab another bag and meet me at the counter okay?” I nodded my head in embarrassment as he walked to the front and I headed back to the aisle with the bags, grabbing one at random, I headed to the front dropping the bag on the counter avoiding his gaze as the girl rung us up.
I grabbed the bag and blanket before he could get them and headed out the store to go back home, I groaned to myself as I heard him yelling behind me.
“Aren’t you going to tell me your name?” He asked as I continued walking trying to distance myself from him.
“It’s Heather.” I yelled to him not turning back around, feeling the cold wind whip my hair around.
“I’m Kevin nice to meet you Heather. Could I walk you home?” I stopped in my tracks slowly turning around my eyes narrowing home.
“No. And don’t even think about following me home if you know what’s good for you.” I simply stated as I quickened my pace until I knew he wasn’t following me anymore.
Stepping into the quiet shack I closed the door behind me (well you couldn’t really consider it a door it just was a huge piece of wood that fit into the frame); I sunk to the ground pulling my knees to my chest and cried.
Chapter 2
As I sat there sobbing all the memories of my step-mother and my last argument before I ran away from home flooded back.
It was quiet summer night at the Samuel’s house but sadly that wasn’t going to last much longer. My step-mother, Kendra was on a drunken rampage again like she had been every night since dad died. I was sitting in my room curled up in the corner praying to God that she wouldn’t beat me tonight but I was wrong when my door swung open and she stood there in the doorway with a sick smile on her face.
“Come here sweetie I’m not going to hurt you.” She cooed to me trying to coax me out of the corner, I shook my head tears streaming down my face. “Fine if you don’t come here I’ll make you come here!” Her voice rising as she stepped into the doorway I looked at her my eyes widening as the moonlight reflected off the small blade in her hand her dark brown eyes filled with pure loathing. She smirked as she bent down eye level with me softly tracing the blade along my jaw line and circled it around my hairline causing goose bumps to form on my arms.
“P-Please stop please...” I begged as she pressed it harder against my skin, her face twisted into pure hatred as she made a small cut on my right eyebrow before dropping the blade picking me up by the throat staring into my eyes.
“It’s your entire fault your dad died. If you had been on time when your dad said he was going to pick you up he wouldn’t have gotten killed by those gang members!” She screeched into my face tightening her grip around my throat making it harder for me to breathe. I gasped for breath as she dropped me back to the hard wood floor, holding my throat in my hands. “Get up. Get up!” I quickly stood up walking towards her, moaning in pain as she sent a sharp kick in my back.
The assault continued but once she got tired of beating me she yanked my head back pulling my long blonde hair a cruel laugh escaping her lips as she cut my hair off with the blade. She smirked as she spat on my neck as she left slamming the door behind her. I slowly dragged my body towards the corner again the pain taking over me. I felt the warm blood trickle down my face and my back burned from the vicious kicks it received. I laid there waiting for the pain to subside.
After sitting there what felt like hours I slowly stood up quietly walking out my room looking down the hallway making sure Kendra was watching me, I sighed in relief as I made my way down the stairs seeing her passed out on the couch with a beer bottle in hand. I found a piece of paper and pen and scribbled down a note before she woke up.
Dear Kendra,
I am leaving this hell hole once in for all. I am sick of all the abuse you give so goodbye have a nice life without me not like you would miss at all.
Heather
I placed the note on the small coffee table near her sleeping body, turning away heading towards the door I felt something grip onto my wrist throwing me onto the ground below me. I looked up in horror as Kendra hovered over me.
“Where do you think you are going sweetie?” Her voice slurred as she placed her foot on my stomach slowly stepping on it. “Running away from home are we?” I tried moving her foot off me but it was so difficult.
“Just let me go! I can’t stand this anymore!” I screamed as the pressure on my stomach grew, she looked down at me her face twisted in disgust.
“Fine get out of here you worthless piece of *CENSORED*.” She removed her foot and then kicked me square in the jaw causing me to cry out in pain. “Now get out of my sight before I change my mind.” I nodded my head numbly running past her and out the door I stopped in my tracks as she yelled to me something that sliced my heart.”It is your fault that your mother died too!” Tears sprang in my eyes she would always tell me that but it was true if I wasn’t born then my mother wouldn’t have died during childbirth.
I kept running until I collapsed onto the sidewalk my lungs burning and legs aching from pushing myself and the abuse I had endured for the past four years of my life. As I lay on the cold concrete I stared at the stars above me whenever I looked up at the stars it would remind me of when my father and I would lay on the grass together looking for all the constellations.
I looked exactly like my father Kendra would tell me as she abused me; I had his light blonde hair and aqua colored eyes, sadly my father died in a gang killing when I was fourteen and Kendra never let that go.
After staring at the stars for hours I slowly got up trying to catch my breath, I sighed as I dragged myself down the street for awhile until I found a small forest that looked separated from everything else. Walking in the darkened forest terrified me as I heard small animal noises and branches crunching, I kept walking though until I found a small wooden shack with moss growing all around it and small bushes in front of it. It looked sturdy enough I slowly pushed the wood away from the entrance glancing inside.
It wasn’t much just a small mattress that looked like it was covered in dust and a refrigerator and electric stove on the opposite side of the room. I pulled the wood behind me the darkness enveloped me I moved around blindly until tripping over an object knocking my head on the hard floor knocking me unconscious until I woke up in the early morning hours as the sun crept through the small cracks of the shack.
I was brought back to reality as I heard a loud knock on the door; I slowly got up wiping away the flowing tears taking deep breaths to calm myself down. I slid open the door and narrowed my eyes as I looked at the person who stood in front of me.
“I thought I told you not to follow me!” I exclaimed earning an amused look from the guy.
Chapter 3
“Is that a way to greet the person who bought you a blanket and bag?” He asked smugly side stepping me.
“Whatever.” I grumbled sliding the door shut. “So what do you want anyway Kevin?”
“It’s just that I wanted to see if you were okay,” He glanced around the small area and then his eyes landed on me, so full of concern that it scared me, “This looks like a really bad place to be living Heather.”
“Not as bad as the place I lived before.” I muttered under my breath plopping down on the small mattress running my hands through my hair.
“What was that?” I shook my head shying away from as he took a seat beside me. “I’ll help you get away from this I promise.” I shot up from the bed anger building up inside, I didn’t need his help I didn’t need anyone’s help.
“Am I some charity case to you or something?! I don’t want your help I am a 20 year old woman who is completely capable of taking care of herself I have been for the past two years of my life! So why should I need your help now huh?” I yelled right into his face tears starting to flow down my face as I lost control. “Get out now. Just get out!” I croaked out as he stood up pulling me into his chest, I tried pushing away and weakly jabbed at his chest but he just held me tighter.
“No Heather I see that you’re broken inside and I just want to pick up the pieces.” He whispered into my ear slowly rubbing my back. “I think you need to sleep okay?” I nodded my head as he laid me down on the bed putting the blanket he bought for me over my petite frame; I gave him a weak smile before I drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
I woke up to the smell of food something I hadn’t had in days I slowly sat up rubbing my eyes seeing a grinning Kevin with two plastic bags that had Japanese writing on them.
“Hungry?” My growling stomach answered him causing him to chuckle a small smile formed, I stood up helping him place the food on the only cabinet I had. The food consisted of sushi, egg rolls and some mushrooms. “Ever had sushi before?” He asked handing me a plate that the restaurant must have fixed.
I shook my head walking back to the mattress taking a small bite of the sushi my face lighting up it was delicious! I devoured the food quickly sighing in content as I took the last bite of the food.
“Thank you Kevin really and I am sorry for yelling at you earlier.” He smiled taking the plate from my hands, I stared at him he just seemed so kind no one has ever offered to buy my stuff or bring me food maybe I should give him a chance. “Um Kevin you live around here right?”
“Yeah why?” He raised one eyebrow sitting on the floor in front of me.
“Well um I was wondering if I could…” I took a deep breath my face flushing. “Could I take a shower there?” I blurted out causing him to smile warmly at me.
“Of course my house isn’t that far from here so we can walk.” I smiled in appreciation as we walked out of the shack and to his house. As we walked through a small neighborhood Kevin and I got to know each other a little bit more; he had three little brothers Joe, Nick and Frankie, music was his passion and he a strong faith in God. It was great to know someone had the same faith as me I prayed every night for things to get better and they finally were.
We walked up a small path that leads to a one-story brick house with a large wooden porch in the front. A small dog wood tree in the front yard with small rose bushes circling around it and a black hybrid car parked in the driveway.
Entering the house it looked tiny and quaint; light brown couches surrounded the brick fire place in the living room that had a large family portrait over the mantle place. My heart wrenched in pain as I saw how happy the family looked, fat tears made their way down my face I quickly wiped them away as I felt Kevin’s hand on my shoulder.
“Come on let’s get you in a bath okay?” I nodded my head as he guided me through a small hallway opening the door and we stepped inside the cramped room. “I’ll be right back to bring you some of my clothes.” I glanced at my reflection tracing the small scar on my eyebrow jumping when I saw Kevin’s reflection beside me. “Want to talk about it?” He placed a pair of black skinny jeans and a white t-shirt that looked like it could fit someone twice my size. I shook my head earning a frustrated sigh from him.
I slid of my clothes as he left the bathroom I looked at my small frame, my ribs becoming more evident same with my collarbone. It was hard to maintain weight when you had limited sources to steal from. I walked towards the tub turning the knob filling it with hot water until it almost overflowed. I carefully stepped inside just sitting thinking about my life the memories coming in random bursts as I slowly sunk under the water. I couldn’t take it anymore even though Kevin was helping me so far I knew he would abandon me, as the thoughts and memories took over me I slowly drifted into the growing darkness as I stayed under the water.
Chapter 4
My eyes slowly opened as I began to have a coughing fit as water gushed from my mouth, my eyes widening as I saw the hurt in Kevin’s eyes as he watched me. He threw a towel at my face rushing out of the bathroom; my head began to spin as I wrapped the towel around my wet body as I chased him to what seemed to be his room. I groaned in frustration as I tried to open up the door, I banged my fist against the door trying to get him to answer.
“Kevin! Kevin please open the door I’m sorry!” I kept banging it until the door flew open; Kevin looked horrible as hot tears streamed down his face he grabbed my shoulders roughly making me look into his eyes.
“Why Heather, why would you do that?” His voice began to tremble his grip tightening causing me to flinch. Looking into his eyes I could sense that he was having some kind of internal war going on.
“I-I don’t know… I just…” I couldn’t tell him why not yet at least, he yelled in frustration again.
“Why won’t you let me in Heather why?! Are you afraid to get close to people to me? Tell me what is wrong! Please…” His body shaking uncontrollably as he sobbed, I shook my head as the tears flowed down my cheeks.
“I-I can’t Kevin… not yet but Kevin why are you shaken up about this? I mean I barely you know you.” Kevin pulled me into this room sitting me on his bed; he looked around frantically running his hand through his hair.
He bean rummaging through a drawer pulling out a small picture frame, he walked towards me handing it to me. I looked at the picture seeing a gorgeous girl with curly bright red hair, light green eyes and a warm smile on her face that seemed almost contagious. “That’s my ex-girlfriend Allison.”
I looked at it and then back to him feeling confused on why he would show me this picture. “What does she have to do with anything?”
“W-Well Allison and her parents had always argued about her weight and her grades at school. She tried losing weight and getting better grades but they were never happy. She would come to me in the middle of the night crying I couldn’t stand seeing her like that it tore me up inside but one day she got tired of it and drowned herself in the bathtub; Heather when I saw you lying in that water like you were dead it reminded me of her and I was scared I was going to lose you too.”
“I’m sorry Kevin really I am it’s just right now life has been so hard… I don’t know if I can handle it anymore.” I whispered placing the picture beside me. He shook his head dropping to his knees in front of me taking my hand in his.
“Heather… you don’t have to do this alone I can help you. I promise you Heather please just trust me… I don’t want you to end up like A-Allison.” I slid off the bed getting on my knees making him face me, I wrapped my arms around him even though I haven’t know him that long he had helped me so much but I couldn’t tell him about Kendra not yet.
“I’m sorry Kevin… I promise I won’t do that again…” I whispered as we stayed in each other arms.
Chapter 5
Kevin’s P.O.V
I quietly excused myself from the room as the phone rang, leaving Heather alone to her thoughts. I rushed to the living room ripping the phone off its receiver.
“Hello?” I asked earning a rough cough from the other end.
“Kevin, son when are you coming home?” A gruff voice asked causing me to tense up.
“Dad I don’t know I just have to figure things out please be patient.”
“Son you know you can’t run away from this forever you’re going to have to talk to—“
“Dad please don’t say her name please. I’ll be back soon I promise I just need be away from the fame and the fans right now.” My voice shaking as the memories flashed before my eyes but I shook them over not letting them take over.
“Alright son be careful though and come home soon Mom misses you we all miss you.” Mr. Jonas said his gruff voice becoming soft and gentle.
“I miss you too but I have to go. Love you dad.” I hung balling my right hand into a fist slamming it against the wall in frustration, but luckily I didn’t hit it hard enough to hurt anything. After counting to 10 and taking deep breaths I walked back to my room. “Hey sorry about that…” I let out a small chuckle as I saw Heather passed out on the hardwood floor. Pulling back the covers on the bed I picked her up a bit surprised about her light weight gently placing her on the bed, covered her up and left the room.
I smiled as I found my old Gibson guitar plopping down on the couch I slowly started to strum the guitar, I was so lost in the music that I almost didn’t hear the scream of terror coming from my room. Placing my guitar on the ground and rushed to where Heather was, she was squirming around in the covers looking like she was trying to fight the covers off, she woke up tears and sweat dripping down her face.
I took a seat at the end of the bed letting her cry onto my chest as I wrapped my arms around her back holding her close. The thoughts of what was happening in her nightmare plagued my mind; we sat like that until she finally calmed down.
“Kevin I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you just a really bad dream you know?” I only nodded my head rubbing her back trying to soothe her.
“Heather what did you dream about?” I asked her body tensing in my arms. “Please tell me Heather…” She took a deep breath staring directly into my eyes as tears started to form.
“I-It was about when I was fourteen and my dad was waiting to pick me up at the local park near my school and I was running late because I needed some extra help with my homework, and once I got the park I-I…” She choked back her sobs and then continued. “I saw him sitting in his seat motionless and I saw the blood soaking his clothes… it’s my fault Kevin all my fault…” She buried her head into the crook of my neck her body shaking uncontrollably.
“No Heather it’s not your fault… and maybe it wasn’t my fault either…” I whispered the latter part to myself as I tried to calm her down again. Maybe we needed each other to get through the tough times together.
Chapter 6
The clothes that Kevin had offered me hung loosely on my body; I had to roll the waist line of the sweatpants up four times before they stopped falling. We sat in silence until a smile slowly crept up on Kevin’s lips.
“What?” I asked wondering about what he was planning.
“We are going to go to the local mini mall and I’m going to buy new clothes for you.” My mouth gaped open; I stared at him shaking my head signaling that I was not going to the mall. “Oh come on Heather I’ll buy whatever you want and it can be cheap too I know your getting tired of wearing the same tattered outfit every day.” I sighed in defeat as he grabbed my hand dragging me to the garage where we got into his black Jeep.
As we drove down the road I pressed my cheek against the cold window and stared at the falling snow, then an angst kind of song started to blast through the speakers I only caught a few words before Kevin switched it off his grip tightened on the steering wheel. I sighed not questioning him and went back to gazing out the window.
“Kevin why don’t you live with your parents anymore I mean you guys look pretty happy in that family picture.” I said not expecting such a reaction from him.
“Why don’t you live with your parents?” He snapped back staring straight ahead as we pulled into the mall, I looked at him, his eyes in narrowed slits, his lips pursed in a small line and his face tightened in frustration. Maybe I should tell him, I thought to myself maybe it would make this so much easier. But I ignored the question and we stepped out of the car and headed into the mall.
We went into every single store which wasn’t a lot seeing as how the mall was only one floor, sometimes in the stores I would linger at a piece of clothing and walked away from it once I saw the price tag. Once I got the things I wanted Kevin grabbed them juggling them in his arms but when I saw the cost of all the things I got I knew he must have got the things that were a bit too pricey. It was fun going shopping again I missed it when I still lived with Kendra and Dad I went shopping about every weekend with my friends but that stopped once Dad died because Kendra didn’t permit to go anywhere except for school and wherever she wanted me to get something for her.
I slid in the passenger seat once I helped Kevin put the bags in the back; I sat there waiting for him to start the engine. “Are we going to your house or not?” I asked taping my hand on the window sill impatiently.
“Nope not until you tell me why you don’t live with your parents anymore.” He said stubbornly, I rolled my eyes at his childishness it didn’t matter anyways I mean I could question him again but I didn’t want him to get angry again.
“Well we are going to be sitting here for awhile then.” I stated looking out the window as the snow, it started to get worse and I knew if we didn’t get going it was going to be a horrible ride back. “Kevin come on its really bad outside if we don’t go now we could get in a wreck!” I looked over him and groaned as he ignored my protest. “Fine I’ll tell you…” I muttered and slowly began my story. “Okay you know how I told you about me seeing my dad when he died right?” He nodded his head and I continued. “Well after I called the police they took us to the hospital so I called K-Kendra and when she arrived we were informed he didn’t make it. We both had a tough time and after the funeral it got worse.
She started to drink a lot probably six bottles a day and then one night…” I took a deep breath and gave him a weak smile as he took my hand in his. “S-She came into my room and beat me up bad but not bad enough to send me to the hospital I kept it a secret for a long time and I couldn’t see my friends anymore she secluded me from the things that made me happy… Then the beatings got worse and worse until two years ago when she pulled a blade on me.” Kevin let out a loud gasp. “She barely cut me on the eyebrow don’t worry. And I got tired of it and I ran away that night so there you go. Can we go home now?”
He nodded his head not taking his hand off mine; I felt all the weight of the world lift off my shoulders I felt so much better after telling someone after so many years of holding it in.
“I’m sorry that happened to you Heather you didn’t deserve any of that but why didn’t you tell anyone?” He asked as drove carefully through the blinding snow trying to make out familiar areas.
“I-I don’t Kevin I was just scared that if I told someone and she found she would’ve killed me. I was actually surprised when she did let me go though. I’m glad even though I’ve had to live in that shack for the past two years but at least I’m not being tortured anymore.” I smiled as we pulled into driveway.
“Heather you could live with me you know and stay in that place. I have food, water and shelter and you need it. I’ll take care of you I promise.” He said with such sincerity that I felt tears trickle down my face and I nodded my head agreeing to stay with him. He helped me out of the car and took my hand in his again and we stepped inside the house trying to brush off the snow that gathered on us. “I’ll make us some hot chocolate okay?” My face flushed as he gave me a soft kiss on the barely visible scar on my eyebrow. I was happy that things were taking a turn for the better but I wasn’t sure how long it would last.