50

The sun was shining overhead through the skylight, making me sweat even more than I already was. Disoriented, I sat up first and surveyed my surroundings. One of them, Ethan for sure, must have carried me into this bed, which was kinda pretty cute but also downright creepy.

I got up and looked down where all three were sleeping peacefully together. It made me giggle that Jayden was lying on his back in the middle and the other two were snuggled close to him like he was the focal point of this little family. Inside, I felt sad that I didn't have something like this, but I didn't deserve it either. I had exploited and used too many people, but I hadn't learned anything else either.

Before I went to the bathroom, I saw a pack of cigarettes on the small table and carefully walked past them to pinch one and get out of the hot oven.

The sun was shining, but a cold wind blew through my hair, which pleasantly removed the sweat from my forehead while I lit the cigarette and inhaled the first drag deep into my lungs. How many times had I planned to stop doing this? How often... and yet this steaming poison was the only thing that calmed me down in certain situations.

I stood there and stared at the seemingly endless fields while clutching my still aching abdomen. It's been a week since my ex came to my dad's house and kicked me until I was a whining thing. The worst thing about that day was that in the evening after my ex had left me, my father came home and I received a few slaps in the face as a thank you.

I shake at the memory and enjoy the quiet out here. Here I didn't have to be afraid that someone would hurt me and I would never let it happen again, that's what I was determined to do.

"Good morning," the dark blonde tore me out of my thoughts and stood in front of me to stretch. "How did you sleep?" she then turned to me and I nodded my thanks. "Really good. I hope it's okay that I took one."

I picked up the cigarette in my hands and she wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Yeah, sure, but you already know they're unhealthy," she murmured, smiling, leaning against the trailer next to me. "Of course, I'll stop soon too," I said and had to laugh inwardly at the words I had said so many times before.

"So we're planning on going somewhere that's warmer and has a beach. Jayden and Ethan have never been to the ocean. Do you have anything you need to go back to? Family or work?" she asked me and I frowned wonders the forehead.

"What hole did you crawl out of that you've never been to the beach?" She laughed and shook her head in amusement. "You can't imagine that," she giggled, then turned to look at me pleadingly. "If you don't have anything to go back to, then I'd really appreciate female company."

She beamed at me and I thoughtfully took the last drag of the cigarette, then dropped it on the floor. I went through all the options in my head, but staying with them really seemed like the best. I had no money, no place to go and she really seemed like the kind of person you just had to be comfortable with.

"I'll come with you, but only if the boys don't mind," I explained to her with a smile and she grinned at me happily. "They sure as hell haven't," she said, then leaned back against the trailer again to put her face up to the sun.

I did the same and closed my eyes until I heard the boys inside the mobile who had finally woken up.

I looked at the entrance and saw Jayden coming out first, holding several colorful mugs and a bottle of water. He gave Chiara a loving kiss on the cheek and then gave me a friendly nod.

Ethan came out behind him and immediately glanced over at me as if checking to see if I was still there. He came up to me and held out a toothbrush that was still in the box and I understood the bottle of water and the cups.

We all stood in silence and brushed our teeth like it was the most normal thing in the world and I was really glad that my car broke down.