Chapter 2 - Mum is getting married

Joan'S POV

 

My head was pounding, and my vision was still blurry. I tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea hit me, and I slumped back down. I could feel the blood trickling down the side of my head, and I knew I needed help. But where was I? And how could I get help if I couldn't even stand up?

 

I tried to think back to what had happened, but my memory was fuzzy. All I could remember was the brick flying towards me and then everything going black. As I lay there, trying to gather my thoughts, I heard a noise. It sounded like someone was coming down the alley, their footsteps echoing off the walls. I tried to call out again, but still, no sound came out. The footsteps were getting closer, and I started to feel a sense of dread. Who was coming? And what did they want with me?

 

Just as I was about to give in to panic, a voice rang out, clear and strong. "I'm here to help you," it assured.

 

The person helped me to my feet, and we started walking down the alley into the busy street. I was still unsteady on my feet, and the person had to help me along. Finally, we arrived at a door that said "Pharmacy" on it. The person opened the door and led me inside.

 

"What happened?" a voice asked. I looked up and saw a woman in a white coat standing in front of me. She had a kind face, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I tried to speak, but my words came out as a jumble. The woman in the white coat listened patiently as I tried to explain what had happened. Once she had all the information, she said, "Don't worry, it doesn't look like a serious injury. We'll get you cleaned up and bandaged, and you'll be as good as new."

 

She helped me to a chair and then started cleaning the cut on my head. It stung a little, but it was nothing compared to the fear I had felt. As she worked, she asked me some questions about what had happened. I tried to answer as best I could, but I still felt a bit disoriented.

 

Suddenly, I remembered Anna; she was also hit by Fredrick, but when I woke up, I was alone in a strange alley. I tried calling her, and she picked up and told me that she was fine and that she had gotten herself treated.

 

As I talked to Anna, I could hear the relief in her voice. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said. "I was worried about you."

 

I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you for saving me," I replied. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

 

"It's no problem; I'm just glad you're safe."

 

I thought about what we should do next. "I think we should go to the police," Anna suggested. "Fredrick is dangerous, and he needs to be stopped." She added.

 

But I didn't buy the idea: "I think that we shouldn't involve the police; it was just normal school bullying, and our injury wasn't serious."

 

"But he hurt you," Anna protested, her voice filled with concern. "We need to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else."

 

I understood her point, but I still wasn't sure it was a good idea. "What if he gets angry and tries to hurt us again? I'm just not sure it's worth the risk."

 

"But what if he hurts someone else?" Anna asked. "We can't just let him get away with this."

 

I sighed, knowing that she was right. But I still wasn't sure what to do. I got home, and my mother asked me about my injury. But I didn't want her to worry, so I lied about it. I told her that I tripped and fell, hitting my head on a brick.

 

"Oh, sweetie," my mom said, looking at me with concern. "I hope you're not hurt too badly."

 

I knew I couldn't tell her the truth. I didn't want to worry her, and I wasn't sure what she would do if she knew what had happened. So I just nodded and said, "I'm okay, mom. I just tripped and fell."

 

She looked at me sceptically, but she didn't press the issue. "Okay, well, be more careful next time," she warned. "I don't want you to get hurt."

 

After dinner, my mom told me about her plans to get married to her boyfriend, Jones. I was happy for my mom. I had known her boyfriend, Joans, for six months, and he seemed to be a really good guy.

 

"I'm so happy for you, Mom," I said, hugging her. "Jones seems like a great guy. I think he'll be good for you."

 

My mom smiled, and I could see the love in her eyes. "I think so too; he's kind, and he makes me laugh. I think he's the one."

 

"I think so too," I responded, knowing that my mom had finally found the happiness she deserved.

 

The memories came flooding back as if they were happening all over again. I remembered the day my dad died, the way my mom had cried, and the feeling of being lost and alone. I felt a lump in my throat as the memories played out in my mind. I blinked away the tears and tried to focus on the present. My mom was happy, and I didn't want to ruin that by dwelling on the past. But the memories kept coming, no matter how hard I tried to push them away.

 

"My boyfriend invited the both of us to a dinner party; he intends to have you and his son get to know each other before the wedding." My mom informed me.

 

"He has a son?" I asked, looking so shocked.

 

"Yes, about your age." My mom responded.

"That's a really sweet idea," I replied, forcing a smile. "I think it'll be a great way for us to get to know each other better."

Inside, I was feeling a mix of emotions. On the one hand, I was happy that my mom was getting married and that we were all going to be a family. But on the other hand, I was worried about meeting my future stepbrother. I had never had a sibling before, and I wasn't sure how I would feel about having one now. But I pushed the thoughts away and tried to focus on the present.