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Post by Mike Newton on Dec 30, 2008 3:15:17 GMT -5
"If you want me to I will," Mike told her, "I'm not afraid to talk to them. I mean you're only a teenager once, live it up a little." Now that Mike thought of it he rarely ever saw Amber outside the home, other than the hospital, but what fun was that? She was in her teenage years, she needed to be out with friends and other kids her age, not with adults and sick people. "If you want, I can always seriously hurt myself so I can spend more time with you in the hospital," he added with a smirk.
Mike leaned toward Amber as she whispered, to better hear what she was saying. He still found it amusing that Amber was "playing it safe" around Jessica. "It's not like we're dating anymore," he whispered back, "Who cares what she thinks? What's the worse she can do to you Amber?" Though Mike did care what Jessica thought, he wondered if she would get jealous over Amber. He'd find that amusing too. But it wasn't like that between him and Amber, they were just friends, so Amber really had nothing to worry about.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Dec 31, 2008 15:39:05 GMT -5
"Ooooh no you don't" she laughed as he made his suggestion. The funny thing was, she could even imagine him doing just as he'd said. "I already spend way too much time with patients, somehow I don't think Dr C's gonna like it if you show up and I spend my entire shift chatting. Besides" she grinned, "I like my work, it's fun!" She knew he probably wouldn't believe her, but it was true.
"Anyway, you'd probably end up with a black eye or something if you tried talking to Philip" she warned, not sure if he'd believe her or think she was kidding, but hoping he'd take the warning either way. The last thing she wanted was for him to get hurt, and that was incredibly likely if he upset her foster parents. She blushed as he leaned forward, knowing she was being silly.
"I know, but, well, let's just say there's stuff that I'd rather didn't get spread around. And if Jess got mad, she might do just that." She hung her head, tempted to tell the truth but deciding against it. If Jessica were listening, she wouldn't get much from Amber, if she could help it. "You're my best friend around here Mike, pretty much my only friend besides Dr Cullen, but there's stuff even you don't know about me, and it's probably safer that way. For both of us."
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Post by Mike Newton on Dec 31, 2008 15:53:04 GMT -5
"Oh come on," he told her, "You know your job would be a lot funner if I was around. Dr. Cullen wouldn't mind." Mike hadn't spent a lot of his time in the hospital, but he knew who Dr. Cullen was, and he knew who his adopted kids were. Especially Edward Cullen. That kid was such a weird guy, until Bella came along and the two of them started dating. Mike still didn't like him though.
"I'm sure I wouldn't," Mike told her, "I'm sure Philip is a nice guy. He wouldn't mind you getting out every once in a while." Mike didn't know much about Amber's home life. In fact, he didn't even know Amber's foster parents. But he was sure they weren't as bad as Amber made them out to be. "Seriously though, we should hang out more. And if they aren't going to let you out of the house, even after I talk to them. You could always sneak out," he suggested.
"What is she going to spread around?" he whispered in question. "That you like me? I'm sure other girls in this school do to. And we both know you don't like me in that way, so it doesn't matter."
Mike watched as Amber hung her head, as if she was ashamed about something. He raised both his brows in confusion. "What do you mean safer for both of us? It's not like anyone is going to beat you if you tell me the stuff I don't know," he joked.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Dec 31, 2008 16:47:26 GMT -5
Amber couldn’t help but smile. He was right, it would be even more fun if Mike was there, not that she’d be able to talk to him much. She was swamped lately, thanks to a stomach bug going around town, and what little spare time she got was spent resting her aching feet.
“That’s true, Carlisle is pretty easy-going, he probably wouldn’t bat an eyelash if you came in in a clown suit.” She giggled at the image of Mike walking into the Emergency Room in a red nose and clown pants. “Come to think of it, he probably wouldn’t mind too much if you did drop in sometime, and you could always say you were my personal foot masseuse” she stuck her tongue out at him, knowing the idea would surely gross him out. She raised an eyebrow at Mike’s evaluation of Philip, wondering if they were talking about the same person. “You’re kidding right? No way, nuh uh, and not a chance. Don’t even think about it, it’s not worth the hassle.” Her mouth quirked in an amused smile at his confidence. If they weren’t such good friends, she thought, such a rumour might have been true. Even as friends, there were days when she felt more comfortable with Mike than she thought she would ever feel with any other guy, and that was just the way it was with him.
“Well, you are cute, and of course, besides the whole English thing, you are every girl’s dream guy.” She had seen him eyeing Edward Cullen when he thought no one was watching. It was obvious he didn’t like Edward, and though she couldn’t help but admit that ‘Cullen’ was indeed good-looking, she couldn’t see any reason for Mike to be jealous. “There’s probably a lotta girls in school wishing they were in my place right now. I mean, the Cullen guys are good-looking but” she grinned conspiratorially, “between you and me, if I was gonna go for you or Edward, it’d be you in a second. He’s just so...I dunno, boring’s not the word. It’s like half the time, when you look at him, you’re looking at a magazine, with the same level of personality too. And anyway” she sighed dramatically, clasping her hands in her best Juliet imitation, “Even if I did like you that way, it could never be, for you are far too far out of the league of someone so inferior as myself.” She laughed at her poor acting skills, but at his next comment, her eyes widened and her head flew up before she could hide the reaction. She could sense the shock on her face but it wouldn’t respond when she tried to smooth the expression from her face.
“Why do you say that?” she asked, suddenly suspicious. How did he know? Surely it couldn’t be a random comment. “Has someone been talking about me?” She glanced around the yard quickly, wondering if Edward was there. As far as she knew, only Dr Cullen knew about her home life, and though she doubted he would betray her confidence, if he had, his children would have been the ones he’d tell. Had Edward said something? Or maybe Alice? She had only met them occasionally, and that was barely long enough for introductions, and she had no idea if she could trust them as much as she did Carlisle. Almost as quickly as she had turned around, she turned her back on the yard again, yanking down the cuff of her sleeve again, making sure her forearm was covered. She was sure the bruises hadn’t shown, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
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Post by Mike Newton on Dec 31, 2008 18:52:47 GMT -5
"You are never going to catch me in a clown suit," he laughed. He cringed at the thought of even having to put on something as awful as that. Amber would just have to deal with imagining it in her mind, Mike would never agree to something as horrid as that. "Hah!" Mike blurted when Amber suggested she become her personal foot masseuse. "No way."
"Why would it be such a hassle to talk to him?" he asked. Surely it wouldn't be as difficult as she's making it out to be. There would be no reason for it, it's not like he or she had done anything wrong. Besides, her foster parents couldn't keep her cooped up inside the house all the time. That would be hell to have to be inside at all times.
"Thanks," he told her, "And you aren't to bad yourself. Definitely would choose you over a lot of the other girls in this school, if we weren't such good friends." He quickly glanced to Jessica and then back at Amber. He didn't care what Jessica thought right now, but he was sure that comment would evoke some sort of dramatic reaction. But he would make sure that nothing came back cause Amber any troubles. Mike couldn't help but laugh at Amber's acting. "You should try out for a school play," he joked.
Mike brows mashed together as Amber reacted to his comment. "What? What are you talking about?" Mike asked confused. "No one's been talking about you." He watched as Amber glanced around the school grounds, pulling down her sleeve. "Why are you freaking out?" he asked, still confused. There was something Amber wasn't telling him, something that had to be serious judging by her defensive reaction. Mike looked up at her with a concerned and confused expression. "You know you can tell me," he added.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Dec 31, 2008 20:17:19 GMT -5
Amber bit her lip, wondering just how much she should tell him. It didn’t seem fair to hide any more from him, since it would probably only make him worry more, but she hated the idea that the knowledge might change his view of her. She had hoped that things would stay hidden a little longer, at least until she had finished school for the year, but it looked as though the time had come to come clean. Making sure no one was looking, she leaned forward, her head near his so she could speak as quietly as possible.
“I didn’t want to tell you, I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s not really the kind of thing that makes making friends easy.” She rolled up her sleeve slowly, baring the pattern of purple bruises on her forearm, keeping her face trained toward the ground so she didn’t have to see his face as he found out the truth. “That’s why I don’t want you meeting Philip. If he can do that to me for being home late for work, I don’t want to think about what he might do to you if you ask him to let me out more.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away quickly, not wanting anyone else to see if they happened to look in their direction. “That’s what I’m scared of people finding out. If anyone finds out, I’m out of here, and I can’t leave Forks. I can’t count the number of homes I’ve been in and no matter what they do to me, this is still the best place I’ve ever lived. I actually have friends here, even if it is just you and Dr Cullen, though you guys are the best friends I could ask for.” She smiled brightly as she said the last words, hoping he knew she was telling the truth. “That’s why Dr Cullen got me the job at the hospital in the first place. I think he kinda figured out what was happening at home coz of how often I ended up there. Sarah was happy about me being out of the house but not able to get in trouble, so they’re ok with that, and school, but that’s about it.”
She gave Mike a half-smile, her eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, really, but it’s just really new for me, having friends, I didn’t want to spoil it. Carlisle, Dr Cullen, he’s the only other person that knows what’s going on, and even that’s only because I flipped out once at work and ended up telling him everything. That’s why I was scared, I thought maybe Edward or Alice had said something, but I should’ve known better, he wouldn’t have told them. And now” she sighed, leaning her elbows on her knees, her chin in her hands, “You know my deep, dark secret. I’m the little wimp that runs away from home at least once a year because the government somehow thinks drunks and people with anger issues are good foster parents.” She stared at the ground again, afraid to look at him. Mike was the only person her age that she could call a friend, and she dreaded his reaction. If she lost his friendship, the hospital would be the only thing tying her to Forks, and she wondered if that would continue for much longer.
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Post by Mike Newton on Jan 1, 2009 1:15:59 GMT -5
Mikes eyes popped in shock as Amber pulled up her sleeve, revealing the purpled bruises. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't think it was this. He looked up at Amber. "Philip does this to you?" he questioned, disgusted. He tried to keep his words quiet. Anger and sadness washed over Mike. Anger because one of his best friends was being hurt, and sadness because the same best friend was suffering. The anger was the dominant emotion on Mike's face. "I dare him to lay a hand on me," Mike growled quietly. He couldn't believe what this man, not a man, a monster, was doing to Amber.
Mike watched the tear fall down her face, he stood up, only to sit back down beside Amber on top of the table. He wrapped a arm around her shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze. He didn't even think what Jessica would think of this, he could care less. And if she started any rumors.... "Amber, you can't continue to let him do that to you," Mike told her. "What's next? What if he gets so angry and kills you?" Mike's tone raised slighty at the end, he took a deep breath trying to calm himself. "I know you like it here in Forks, but is it worth it to constantly get beaten? I'll still be your best friend even if you move. I'd come visit you."
"You are not a little wimp Amber," Mike told her seriously. "This government sucks," he added quietly. He let his arm fall from Amber's shoulders and sighed. This definitely wasn't what he had expected her to tell him, it was worse than what he originally thought. He couldn't believe what Philip was doing to her, his hands balled up in anger again and he had to take another deep breath to calm down.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 1, 2009 9:09:13 GMT -5
Amber nodded, ashamed, as Mike questioned her, not sure whether he was angry at her for not telling him or at Philip for what he had done. She hoped it was the latter, but she didn’t dare look up to find out. “Don’t” she whispered. She had never been religious but she believed strongly in fate, and she didn’t want Mike tempting that fate. “You’d be surprised how much he’d love to take that dare.” She smiled with relief as Mike hugged her, he didn’t hate her. Or at least he wasn’t showing it, and that was good enough for now at least.
“Trust me, it’s worth it” she said, smiling up at him, squinting slightly in the sunlight so she could make out his expression, hoping he would believe her. “Believe it or not, this place is actually pretty good compared to most of the places I’ve lived. As long as I do what they tell me, I normally get off with a few bruises and that’s it. They only get really mad when I do something stupid like staying out late or breaking something, but that doesn’t happen too often. As for the town itself, this is pretty much heaven in comparison. I have you, the very first best friend I ever had, and more or less the first friend I ever had. I have Carlisle, who’s an awesome boss, and a great friend too. I have a job that gets me out of the house most of the time I’m not at school. Normally I get the same treatment as I get from Philip, or worse, but without any of what I have here. I can’t leave.”
She sighed at Mike’s promise, wondering if he would understand what it was like being a foster kid. “I know you’d try, but it’s not that easy. I got taken away from my parents when I was 7, because of this” she pointed to the scar above her eyebrow. “They pushed me down the stairs because they were drunk and I wasn’t reading quietly enough. That was my parents, my real ones. My fosters have been pretty much the same, to some degree. Some have been a little better, but not much. If there’s one thing they all hate, it’s losing any control, and that includes letting me have anyone in the house that might let on what they do. Think of it like a restaurant. If you know you have cockroaches in the kitchen, are you going to invite a neat freak in so they can go running to Health and Safety? No, you’re going to keep the kitchen locked so no one sees what’s in there. All they see is the well-presented food that comes out.” She paused as Mike took his arm away, running the words over in her mind, surprised she had never noticed the analogy before.
“Besides, Carlisle already offered to talk to Social Services, and he pretty much confirmed it – if I report the Jacksons, I’m outta here. There’s nowhere else to go in Forks. I just have to keep reminding myself, it’s just until I’m 18, then I can get my own place, and believe you me” she grinned evilly at the thought, “The first thing I do will be to report them.” She sighed gently, staring into space for a moment. “Would be nice though, you’re right about that. Getting out for a bit. But Sarah would never let that happen.”
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Post by Mike Newton on Jan 2, 2009 3:14:03 GMT -5
Mike couldn't believe Amber was telling him that getting beat up was worth living in the tiny, rainy town of Forks, Washington. He had never met someone that actually enjoyed being here. "So if you do do what they want, they beat you anyway?" Mike questioned in disbelief. He still couldn't believe Amber had gone this long with receiving bruise after bruise. It wasn't what anyone deserved, especially her. If he could, he would confront those stupid excuses of foster parents of hers right now. But it wasn't what Amber wanted, and Mike was sure he'd suffer some consequences if he did so.
Mike watched as Amber pointed to the scar, listening as she told him her life story of constantly being beat. It wasn't a happy story, and again, wasn't something she deserved. "Amber," he sighed. "I'm sorry. You deserve so much better than this," he whispered to her. "You should report them now," he suggested under his breath. But he knew she wanted to stay in Forks and wouldn't even consider doing so.
"We should go somewhere now," Mike suggested, looking at the quickly emptying school yard. They were going to be late to class if they didn't start moving now. Mike rethought his previous comment...it wouldn't make Amber's life any easier if they got caught ditching. "Scratch that idea," he said. He hated this. Knowing his best friend was being hurt by those that were supposed to protect her and be there for her. And there was nothing he could do about it.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 2, 2009 13:21:43 GMT -5
“Pretty much” Amber replied, rolling her sleeve back down to hide the marks on her arm in case someone else looked their way. “But like I say, long as I do what I’m told, I get off pretty easy. Anyway, after 8 years, you kinda get used to it. I guess it’s their way of making sure I know who’s in charge.” She gave a little laugh when Mike suggested reporting them again, knowing he hadn’t understood.
“And do what? Tell them my foster parents are using me for a punching bag? You know what’ll happen then, they’ll move me. It may not seem like it to you, but this is a really good placement for a kid like me. I’m what they like to call a ‘high-risk child’. I’m a runaway, they don’t care where they put me because they know that if things get bad, I’ll just run again. So if I get taken away from Forks, chances are, the places are just gonna get worse and worse. Plus” she said, grabbing her bag and fastening the zip again, throwing it over her shoulder as she realised how close it was getting to the beginning of school, “I have friends! That may not seem that big to you, but I have never had a friend before. As soon as kids find out I’m a foster, it’s like I turn into a reverse magnet, they get as far away as possible. I have you here at school, I have Dr Cullen at work, heck, even Edward’s decent to me. He’s no ray of sunshine, I’ll grant that, but he’s at least pleasant. I leave here, I lose all that, and there’s no way I’m letting that happen.” She stared at Mike in shock at his suggestion. Here was the guy who had just been worried about getting caught copying her essay and he was suggesting ditching school. She giggled as he took back the idea, wondering how he would react to her escapade not long ago.
“Well, you might have something there, though I’m not sure ditching is the right idea.” She grinned slyly as a plan started to form in her mind. “I’ve been working loads of shifts lately, so technically, I’m due a *lot* of time off, though the Jacksons don’t know about that. I could ask Dr Cullen if he could maybe cover for me for an evening. Maybe we could go someplace, and that way if they ask where I am, Carlisle could tell them I’m doing something for him. It’s a long shot, but he wouldn’t tell on me for asking, that’s for sure. He’d probably be glad I wasn’t trying to sneak out again.”
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Post by Mike Newton on Jan 3, 2009 4:40:22 GMT -5
Mike pushed himself away from the table, standing up. "I don't think you could ever get used to that," he mumbled, nodding toward her now covered arm. Mike huffed in disbelief as Amber tried to pass it off as some form of animal hierarchy, making sure Amber knew who was alpha. It was ridiculous. He listened to her vent some more on the reasons she couldn't leave the cloud covered town of Forks. It didn't seem worth it staying here for the few reasons she listed, but then again he had never been in her shoes. So he just let her vent without saying a word.
Mike smiled slightly at the sound of Amber's giggling. He slung his backpack over his shoulder. He listened to Amber's plan. Both brows raising and his eyes widening as the plan actually sounded like it could work. He nodded his head slightly. "Alright, if you can get the doctor to go with the plan then I'm game," he told her with a smirk.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 3, 2009 13:27:34 GMT -5
Smiling gently, Amber followed as Mike stood up. "You'd be surprised" she said quietly, amazed that it was actually true. "The hardest part is keeping it secret. It's like sewing, after a while you get used to getting pricked by the pins, but you're still careful not to get blood on the fabric. It's the same thing with this, after a few years, you don't really notice the smaller things anymore, it only really hurts when something big happens, or when someone gets a little too close to finding out."
The smile spread as Mike agreed to her idea. She'd never done something like this before, at least not with someone else's knowledge, and it was exciting to think that she might actually get to spend time with someone doing something fun.
"Great! I'll ask him tonight. He might say no of course, but I trust him, and there's no way he'd tell anyone else what we're doing. Besides" she grimaced playfully, "He knows full well that if he said no, I wouldn't do it, so he might be more likely to say yes, just because I'm such a goody two shoes. When should we aim for? You'd have to meet me at the hospital, I'd have to leave my truck there so people think I'm still there."
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Post by Mike Newton on Jan 3, 2009 16:23:40 GMT -5
Mike shifted his feet a little as he stood beside the table. "I know you don't want anyone to tell," Mike started, "But if you ever get hurt real bad because of them...no promises." It was bad enough his friend was covered in the purple bruises, he wouldn't stand for it if she got severely hurt. With a huff Mike added, "I won't tell anyone now though. Promise."
Mike took a few steps in the direction of his next class before turning to talk to Amber again. "As soon as possible," Mike told her. "You haven't been away from the house and the hospital in what I'm sure seems like forever." Probably is forever, he added in his head. "I don't have a problem meeting you at the hospital."
Mike did have to work at his dad's place, but was sure he could get a day off if he just asked for it. He now thought of places they could go, places Amber probably hasn't even been to in this small town.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 4, 2009 15:45:21 GMT -5
"Don't worry about me Mike" Amber said gently, hoping he would calm down before his class started. "I've never been hurt worse than I could deal with, and I've never had anyone I could talk to about it before, that's two things in my favour. I promise though, if they do go over the top, I will report them. And then I'll tell you" she added, sticking her tongue out at him. "That way, you'll get a chance to give them a piece of your mind but the cops'll get there before they can hurt you, everyone wins. Or, if I'm in a coma, I give you full permission to do what you like as long as you don't get hurt."
She followed Mike slowly, glancing back at Jessica, wondering if she should wait for her. She had been excluded enough times in her life to know that it was never pleasant to be left behind, and she hated to make anyone feel that way. Turning back to Mike, rolling her eyes at his reply to her question.
"Yeeeaaaah" she began slowly, dragging the word out, imagining his reaction. "About that. I haven't actually been away from the house or the hospital, apart from school. At all." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling sheepishly. "I don't know anything about Forks or anywhere near here at all. All I know is the routes between the three, and those places themselves. I think I might leave the details of what we do or where we go up to you" she giggled, wondering what she was letting herself in for. "Just remember, we girls aren't into blood sports or ritual demolition. At least I don't think we are. As for when, I'd say tomorrow, but you'd need more warning than that, wouldn't you?
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Post by Mike Newton on Jan 4, 2009 23:24:03 GMT -5
Raising his pale eyebrows he gave Amber a look of disbelief. "You make it sound like it's possible to not worry about you," he told her. "Especially now." He stuck his free hand in his pocket as he listened to Amber. He was not amused with her following words, keeping his face serious despite her trying to joke around and better his now angered mood. "Not amused Amber," he said seriously.
He watched as Amber paused and glanced back to Jessica. Oh yeah...he remembered. He hoped they hadn't offended her by excluding her from their conversation. But it was necessary. If Jessica ever found this out it would spread like wildfire across the school...the town...the state. It was better that Jessica was left out of this.
"I figured that much," he said as she explained not having been anywhere outside of school, her house, and the hospital. "There are lots of places around here," he started, "We could even go out to Port Angeles, it's not that far from here. Was there anything in particular you wanted to do, or were you up for anything?" He couldn't help but smirk when Amber mentioned what she wasn't into. "Aw, man, you take out all the fun," he joked. "Tomorrow's good," he explained, "My parents are usually pretty lenient with certain things. And I actually do not have to work tomorrow."
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