Chapter 61

“I’m tired. Good night.” She said, walking up the stairs.

A couple seconds later I heard my bedroom door shut. I looked around and everyone was looking at the stairs Cora had just gone up.

“What just happened?” Monroe asked.

I shook my head and got up, “Goodnight everyone.”

“Night.” They responded simultaneously.

I ran up the stairs and opened my bedroom door. Cora was laying on my bed in a tight ball.

I shut the door, “Cora? What’s wrong, baby?” I laid down beside her and pulled her back into my chest.

“Nothing.” She said, resting her arm on mine.

“You sure?” I asked.

She nodded, “Yeah. Goodnight Lily. I love you.”

I chuckled at the Lily part, “I love you, too.”

She slept off almost instantly and I slept off listening to her melodious heartbeat.

Cora‘s POV

I woke up and looked over at the clock. It read 12:07 pm.

I yawned and carefully removed Kaden’s arms from around my waist.

Standing up, I stretched and walked over to Kaden’s side of the bed. I picked up his phone and silently creeped out the door. I cautiously walked down the stairs and out the back door.

I sat beside the pool, my feet dangling in it. I knew the password so I put it in and when it opened, I heaved a sigh of relief. I immediately started dialing the number I memorized ages ago

‘Please don’t be home. Please don’t be home.’ I chanted in my head.

“Hello?” Asked a deep familiar voice.

I sighed in relief, “Kyle?”

“Who’s this?” My foster brother asked confusedly.

“Wow! You forget your ONLY big sister?!” I asked laughingly.

“Cora?” He asked quietly.

“Who else, dip-shit?”

“It’s really you.” He whispered in shock.

“Yup.” I smiled, even though he couldn't see me.

“W-what...how’ve you been?” He asked and I could practically hear the joy and smile in his voice.

“Good. You?” I asked quietly, “How’s Jimmy, Caroline, Rick, Talia, and Easton?” I whispered.

“…They’re all good.” He hesitated, “W-why didn’t you come back for us?” He sobbed quietly.

Tears started dripping down my face quietly, “I-I don’t have enough money yet to support all of you guys. But I’m coming soon. I promise.”

"Promise?" He cried.

“I swear. Where’s Michelle and Sylvester?” I asked with an underlying growl threatening to come out.

“Work as they say. But we all know they're not.” Kyle answered, sniffling, “Guess what?” He asked, suddenly happy. Kyle has always been known for his mood swings.

“What?” I smiled.

“I got a job!” He exclaimed.

“Where?!” I laughed.

“My best friend’s dad owns this mechanic shop and he gave me a job to clean up and stuff.” He said proudly.

“That’s awesome, Kyle.” I laughed heartily.

“Yeah. I have, like, $400. Is that enough to come get us?” He asked.

“I have about $2,000. So, I don’t know.” I shrugged.

“Where are you staying?” He inquired.

“My boyfriend's house.” I smiled.

“You have a boyfriend? What did he see in you?” He laughed loudly.

“Hey!” I yelled, “I am VERY pretty!”

“Sure!” He chuckled teasingly.

“You haven’t seen me face-to-face in FIVE years! People change!” I frowned into the phone.

He stopped laughing, “Don’t remind me.”

“I’m sorry, Ky. But you’ll see me soon. Then you’ll never get away from me!” I then laughed evilly.

“Ky, who’re you talking too?” I heard a familiar little girl's voice ask.

“Cora!” He yelled excitedly.

The little girl shrieked hyperactively, “Cora?! Like, big sister?!”

“Yeah!” Ky yelled.

“Cora?!” Her very familiar voice rang into the phone.

“Hey, Tali.” I chuckled.

“Oh my gosh! Jimmy, Rick, Easton, Caroline! Get over here!” She yelled INTO the phone.

“Gosh, Talia, calm down.” I laughed.

“Shush! Hurry up!” She screamed.

“What?!” I heard Rick’s voice yelling, followed by Easton’s, Jimmy’s, and Caroline’s.

“Cora’s on the phone!” She announced.

“What?” Rick’s voice asked quietly.

“Cora is on the phone, ding-bat.” Tali said quietly.

“Give it to me!” He yelled and I heard struggling before a breathless Rick spoke, “Hello? Cora?”

“Hey, Rick.” I smiled.

He started breathing heavily, “Please! Tell me this isn’t another dream!”

“You little perv! You have dreams about me!” I said feigning disgust.

“It’s you for real!” He happily exclaimed, “So, um, how’s it been?”

“Alright. Now you, tell me how it has really been. Kyle lied.” I said.

“Oh, um, it’s been…good.” He lied.

“Give the phone to Jimmy.” I ordered.

“Here, Jim. She wants to talk to you.” I heard Rick mutter dismissively.

“Cora?” Jimmy squealed.

“Yes-sir-e-bob. What’s cookin’ good lookin’?” I laughed.

“Nothing much. Michelle and Sylvester are still being the ugly ignorant bitches that they were when you left.” He chuckled.

I grit my teeth, “Let me talk to Carey.”

“Okay.” He said.

“Hey, Cora.” Carey said.

“Has he touched you?” I asked, getting straight to the point. There was no need to beat around the bush on this one.

“…Um, no, he hasn’t.” She lied quietly.

“I have to go. Tell everyone I love them. Bye.” I said before hanging up.

I stood up and angrily walked back up the stairs. I opened Kaden’s door and he was tossing and turning on the bed.

I set his phone down quietly and went to his dresser. I pulled out a green shirt that wasn’t as big as the others and the pair of pants Sophia gave me the other day. I went to my suitcase and got out a bra and a pair of panties.

I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, washing all the dirt off. Getting out, I wrapped a towel around my body and dried off. After that, I slipped my underwear on and then slipped my clothes on.

I brushed through my hair and left it to dry. I set my clothes in the hamper thing and walked out of the bathroom.

I grabbed some socks, put them on, then slipped my favorite black Vans on.

“Where are you going?” Kaden croaked behind me.

“To handle some business.” I said casually.

He sat up, “What kind of business?”

“Just business, I guess.” I shrugged.

“Can I come?” He asked standing up.

“Only If you hurry up.” I said impatiently.

He nodded and jumped up. He ran to the bathroom, came out dripping wet a minute later, naked. I looked around, whistling.

“Done!” He announced a minute later. I looked back to see him fully dressed.

“Good. Let’s go.” I said, grabbing his arm.

We walked down stairs and I grabbed the car keys on the way out. I unlocked the doors and got in the driver seat.

“This is my car.” Kaden frowned, standing at the driver's side door.

“Yes, it is. Get in the passenger side.” I replied, starting the car.

“But, this is MY car.” He repeated.

“I understand that but you don’t know where we’re going. So you either get in the car or you don't.” I spoke so casual and polite that you wouldn't even know I was fuming.

He grunted and walked over to the passenger’s side. He grumpily got in and buckled up.

“This is my car.” He said again, “Don’t crash it!” He yelled suddenly.

“Calm down angry bird! I won’t.” I replied attitudinally, pulling out of the driveway. I started down the road fast.

“Where are we going?” Kaden asked.

“Foster parents house.” I answered stiffly, my hands tightening on the steering wheel.

“Oh. Well, what happened last night. When Domino mentioned Michelle and Sylvester you totally tensed.” He frowned.

“Michelle and Sylvester. I just don’t like them.” I lied with a shrug.

“Don’t lie. Just tell me.” He pleaded, turning to me.

“You’ll get mad.” I said quietly.

“I promise I won’t.” He said.

I nodded, “He...touched girls.”

“Touched? Like…inappropriately?” He asked slowly.

I nodded and tightened my grip on the steering wheel even more.

He was silent for a while before he asked, “Did he touch you?”

I shook my head, “I was the only one that stood up for everyone. I would’ve told. I was the oldest.”

“So, he touched the other girls?” He asked, visibly trying to control his anger.

“I didn’t know. I swear.” I cried, turning to him for a minute, “I-I didn’t know he touched them. They didn’t tell me!” I sobbed, turning back to the road.

“Shhh, Baby. It’s alright.” He tried to soothe me by rubbing my back softly.

I shook my head, “It’s NOT alright! I left and he touched them. I shouldn’t have left. It’s all my fault!”

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know.” He said softly as he pried my hand from the steering wheel

“I could’ve prevented it. If I stayed, I could’ve stopped him. Did something, ANYTHING!” I yelled, wiping my tears.

He stayed silent but held my hand tightly and ran his hand through my damp hair.

I sped up and I saw the familiar McDonalds I used to take them to. I turned down the familiar street and jerked to a stop in front of the small yellow house.

I got out and walked up the driveway. Kaden came up behind me and grabbed my hand.

“Just stay calm.” He whispered.

I nodded and knocked on the door. Shuffling went on inside.

“W-who is it?” Kyle’s scared voice rang from the other side.

“Open the goddamn door, Kyle!” I yelled, kicking it open effortlessly. Kyle, Rick, and Jimmy all jumped back in fear.

“Pack your stuff.” I ordered as I walked into the house.

“Cora?” Rick asked with unshed tears as his bottom lip quivered

I turned to him and smiled, “Wazzup?!”

Jimmy squealed and ran up to me, giving me a breathtaking hug, literally. Then they all ran up to me and squeezed the life out of me.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Kyle sobbed into my shoulder.

“I said I was coming soon.” I chuckled and patted his head.

“Y-you’re really here! With us!” Carey cried.

I wrapped my arms around her, “I was always with you guys.”

“But not physically!” Tali cried loudly as tears ran down her face.

“Yeah.” I sighed sadly. I looked up to see Kaden smiling at all of us.