Flashback
“And where do you think you’re going to go, child? Nobody fcking wants you. Even your mom didn’t want you. You really think you can survive out there? Well go ahead, do it. But don’t fcking come back crying when you realize I’ve given you the best damn home anyone will give a black btch.” There was a sickening laugh coming from his father’s voice as 13-year-old Jordan looked back from the open door. He had enough… Jordan Williams simply couldn’t do it anymore. He couldn’t live in this household with this… abuse. He couldn’t. Lost in his thoughts, Jordan jumped out of his skin as a bottle smashed beside him. “Get the fck out of my house child.”
And that’s exactly what Jordan did. No words were exchanged as Jordan left that day - one small backpack around his shoulders with minuscule amount of money. This wasn’t the first time Jordan had run away from home - the last time being when he was 9-years-old and using a small back space in a dance studio to sleep. However… they had caught him last time and locked the doors so now… Jordan really didn’t have anywhere to go. The only family Jordan had was Yara and he couldn’t… let her see him like this. Bruises filled Jordan’s body from a black eye to a sore back from all the times his father had hit him with a belt. Now… well… Jordan was alone. The time was 2:42 AM and Jordan simply walked. He didn’t know where to go so he ended up navigating towards an empty park near his school, falling asleep on the bench with his bag tightly secured on him. Or… well… sleep was relative. All the sounds in the night kept him awake until the bright morning when Jordan was scared off as a police officer tried to ask him what he was doing there.
So Jordan ran… for 5 days, Jordan spent the time sleeping in odd nooks and crannies. He had disappeared from school and used what money he had to buy food… until of course his back pack was stolen and he was left scared, cold, and alone. Jordan was defeated… if that was a possibility after years of torment. He truly found himself at the lowest point in his life. There were times he used to walk past school, hiding in the trees just wishing… that he could be one of to the other kids. Be… happy. With a family that cared about him.
It was a Friday afternoon and Jordan found himself in a park, laying against a tree with his eyes half closed. Jordan hadn’t had sleep for a few days and he found that the best sleep was when the sun was out… the safest sleep at least. Though it was difficult after four days of having no food in his stomach.
“Jordan?”
He heard the soft angelic voice wake him from his slumber and for a second… Jordan almost thought he was dreaming. Dreaming or… well… dead. And maybe when he saw Jezebel he almost wished that was true because… the one thing he never wanted was his crush to see him like that… see him so… broken. Jordan was aware he probably looked… horrible.
“I… hi… Jez” It was the only words he could get out as she took a seat next to him, worry in her eyes and he didn’t… he could barely face her. But he didn’t have to… it was almost as if she knew what was happening and she didn’t question it further. Rather, she stood up and put his her hand out. Jordan was confused about what was happening but there was something… so inviting about her. So, without another word, he took her hand and started to follow her as she walked. Neither of them spoke about anything, but when Jez got to her house - she made an indication to wait as she went inside and after a few seconds, she pulled him in and lead him upstairs quickly, all the way to the… attic. “I know it’s not the coziest but there are some blankets and pillows in that box and an old mattress in the corner. My grandparents and mom aren’t home right now but you can make yourself at home just… don’t make too much noise… Go ahead and get settled in and I’ll bring you some food and clothes”
There were no words to describe how Jordan felt at the moment it was… there was just this kindness in her voice and he couldn’t… he didn’t know what to say. He started to argue but she didn’t give him a chance as she descended the staircase and disappeared.
End of Flashback
For the last three weeks… that’s exactly what Jordan had been doing. Hiding in Jezebel Slone’s attic. Sleeping… eating… going to school by sneaking out early in the morning with Jez it was… strange. But for the first time… Jordan felt so much gratitude towards another person. Not to mention that person was Jezebel Sloane who… well… he had the biggest crush on since he was 8. And staying over at her house just… made the two grow closer… to the point where Jordan told her what happened… despite her never asking or pressing the matter herself.
Jordan honestly didn’t know how he got so lucky… lucky to have a friend like Jezebel in his life. Currently, he laid in his room staring at the ceiling. It was a Saturday meaning no school and for him that usually meant either staying quiet all day or sneaking out with Jezebel to go to a coffee shop or something to catch up on homework.
Jordan lifted his head up hearing the sound of the door opening and smiling when he saw Jezebel enter… god there was something about her smile. Remember that crush? Yeah… let’s just say that didn’t diminish with time as he spent the last few weeks at her house… if anything… it grew.
“Hey dummy. My mom and grandparents left a little early today so feel free to take a shower and then we can go,”
Jordan nodded, following the girl downstairs and going into the bathroom as she left him. Hot shower… now that was another luxury he never had before. Oftentimes his dad didn’t pay the water bill which meant mostly no water. Stripping down, Jordan entered the shower closing his eyes as the water hit his skin. The bruises on his back had started to heal slowly but the water still slightly burned. After a few moments, Jordan opened his eyes as he heard a sound on the other end.
He heard a small curse as Jezebel walked into the bathroom that he left unlocked and after a few seconds he heard Jezebel whispering “I’m sorry” before entering the shower fully clothed and closing the curtains. “Wh-wha” Jordan was about to say something, the shock too high for him to even have time to cover anything but instead, he found Jezebel putting her hand over his mouth - the other holding onto his clothes.
And then he heard it, a female voice on the other end. “Jezebel, are you in there? I left my phone inside to charge…”
The women didn’t even ask before coming into the bathroom, and immediately, Jordan stayed as still and quiet as possible - letting Jezebel talk in this very… very uncomfortable situation. "By the way - did you look into that internship I told you about Jezebel? You need to start working with influential people now if you want to make it anywhere.
@Littlefeets - Not sure if Jez color is right but I tried