Chapter 20 : Thoughts

Jane was laying down in her bed, looking at the other bed above her, thinking. First, she was wondering if she could become friend with Abigail; she already offered her a drawing which she accepted, but nothing more happened, she didn't know if the blonde girl was feeling a bit better or not. She seemed less angry and she stopped bullying her, which were good things. Maybe she understood that being mean with people wasn't the good thing to do.


Her seconds thoughts were for her best friend, Max. She always had bruises on her body, and Jane wondered if the redhead was wearing her gear when she was skating, she didn't want her to take risks, her health was more important than anything else. But, a part of her was seeing again Constance when she was younger, when they were still with their parents; their father was violent with the blonde girl. What if her parents were violent with her? Or Billy? She hoped not, it was horrible, she didn't want her to become as hurt as Constance when they were younger, sometimes she could barely recognize her, she was looking scary. She remembered that sometimes she couldn't even stand from their mattress, too tired. It was awful to watch; she didn't want to live that again. But what could she do for Max? She didn't even know if someone was violent with her or if it was really skateboard problems.


- "What are you thinking about?" asked Constance who was working at her desk.


- "Oh, uh, I was wondering if someone was violent with Max or if she was falling a lot while skateboarding."


- "I wouldn't be surprised that her stepbrother hit her regularly."


- "We have to do something; she is my best friend."


- "I, I don't know what to do, I mean, some people certainly already noticed that, but with no proof, we can't do anything."


- "If she tell the police, they can do something, right?" asked Jane.


- "I guess, but if he hides proof, they can assume she is lying."


- "But, she is the victim! They will see the bruises, like for you!"


- "I know! They can't examine her like that without her family consent or without a good reason, going to the police to tell them we think she is abused isn't enough. They will talk to her parents but nothing more, if they see nothing weird, they can't do anything."


- "(sighs with her mouth) It's so complicated!"


- "Yeah, and Max is doing lots of skateboard, it's a good cover for Billy."


- "So, that's it? We give up?"


- "That's not what I said. I'll think about it, you, you stay quiet about this, I don't want you to have problems, ok?"


- "Yeah, ok."


Jane tried to think about something else by beginning another drawing. She didn't know what to draw, but then, it was obvious. She began with her legs, the base of the body, but the girl had another base which was her skateboard. She kept drawing her friend like if she drew her for life, she knew her by heart; her favorite outfit, each color of her skateboard, and even her mimicking. She hoped this drawing would give her some happiness, while Constance was searching a way to help her. She saw her dog outside and realized it was time to walk him. She got out of her bed and joined her animal outside before walking around, still thinking.

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