Where it all began

Chapter Five

Chapter five

Beth

I am so angry! My dad knows I have study groups every night after school. He may not understand how much I like helping people with their studies, but that does not give him the right to stand in my way! We left Chase and Axel round the corner from our house and are now about to walk through our front door. I will not act as if I am okay because I'm not! Ricky has not spoken to me since we left our friends, which I am grateful for, but at the same time, I was expecting something from him. We walk in, and I make a sprint up the stairs to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. My father can act as if this dinner is going to make up for the way he spoke to me, but it isn't! He is now standing in my way of helping Chase, who has an exam in two days, and I was supposed to be helping him study for it!

I waste not time getting changed like normal, but I have nowhere to race off to or wait for which makes this feel pointless. All of the children I help at school come to my house, but sometimes I meet some at the library and of course all three boys must come with me. But they leave me to do my thing and don't act as if they are watching me, which I like. They are there if I need them. Which I love! I love them being close by, but sometimes they all make me feel like I am suffocating!

I have been sitting in my bedroom for an hour and no one has called me or come into my room, which is annoying me! My dad is going to take up my whole evening! A small tap hits my door.

"Come in." The door opens, and Ricky stays in the doorway.

"Food is ready, Titch."

"About time."

"Stop acting like this is such a bad thing. We hardly have dinner with them anymore."

"Is mum here as well?"

"She just got back, I was surprised as well, to be honest." Dad would have called her. There is no way she just happened to get home early. Groning to myself as I stand up from my bed. I just wanted to spend some time with Chase without our brothers watching our every move!

My family and I all sit around the dinner table with our plates in front of us in silence. Dad has cooked minted lamb chops with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. It does taste amazing, but nothing can lift this mood at the moment!

"Your mother and I needed to speak to you both tonight." Of course! I knew there was more to this than just a sorry to me!

"We both have a business trip coming up to the same city! Michigan in America."

"Sounds great!" I say my short tone isn't missed as Ricky glares at me! What does he expect? Our parents are very rarely here these days, and when they are all they do is tell us they are leaving again!

"Thank you sweetheart, your mother is having her first book tour overseas, and I have some business to attend with at the police stations across town for your mothers event." Dad seemed to miss the tone in my voice or is just ignoring it.

"That is amazing, mum. I'm am so happy to see your books are loved over there just as much as here. The USA isn't going to know what has hit them when your fans get to see you in person." Ricky sounds a little too excited! Which makes me look like a b***h!

"Sounds great mum, and you to dad. When will you be leaving?"

"Well that is the thing darling you will also be coming with us, we leave in two weeks and will also be away for two weeks." They have got to be kidding! I cannot just up and leave for two weeks, I have school! Not to mention all my study groups!

"Why do I have to come with you?"

"Ricky is old enough to look after himself but not you as well, not for two weeks." Mu. Says. Ricky looks after me more than they do! And when I say look after, he is just there with me, because I look after myself. I do not need to be told when to eat, shower, or go to bed. If anything, I look after him!

"I can not just up and leave! I have school and study groups! I am fully booked until next month!"

"I'm sure your friends will be fine for two weeks, Beth." Dad says as mum looks at her plate with a sad expression You have got to be kidding me! She is going to act upset, like I am the one who is forcing them to drop everything in their lives!

"They are not my friends! I am their tutor. I have been given the responsibility to make sure these children pass their exams! I am along with many other honour students. Some of these students want to be authors just like you, mum, and others police officers, lawyers, and nursers! I am expected to tell them they will be just fine for weeks while I attend a business trip with my parents!"

"Beth, calm down!"

"No, Ricky, I will not calm down! I gave up a study season tonight to be here and eat with my family, and now I am expected to give up two weeks as well! While you get to stay here and go to school, see our friends do as you please!" I can not sit here and listen to anything else from my family right now! Standing from the table, I leave with my head down, walking towards the stairs. They do not understand that this is important to me, just like their work is to them. I am proud of my mum, but I can't be happy for her while she expects me to just press pause on my life. I could stay here, they are choosing to take me.

Laying on my bed, wishing this is all a dream knowing all too well that it isn't! Ricky and I are left here all the time alone. Most weekends, our parents are away, so why are they forcing me to go with them now? I do not want to go, and nothing they say will change that! My bedroom door swings open and slams shut shut,

"What is wrong with you! We should be happy for our parents, not acting the way you just have. Beth, look at me!"

"Go away, Ricky! Just leave me alone!"

"Not until you tell me what is going on!"

"I already have downstairs! I can not and will not cancel two weeks of my life!"

"You will get to spend two weeks with our parents and you are complaining about missing f*****g studying!"

"Do not talk to me like that Ricky!"

"Not until you stop acting like a child!"

"Oh did you not hear, I am a child! One who has to go with mummy and daddy!"

"I cannot talk to you when you are in this mood!"

"At last he gets it!" Ricky storms out of my bedroom, now we are fighting as well. One night with our parents, and everything gets turned upside down!

Pulling my phone from my pocket hitting Chase's number, it doesn't take long for him to answer.

"Hello."

"Hey, Chase, we are finished with our family night. If you still want to come over we can fit in some study time, might as well send Axel over for Ricky."

"Yeah we can come over, see you in about ten minutes."

"Okay, see you soon." Now Ricky and my parents can moan at me! I am so sick of people trying to control my life! Ricky does it constantly! They hate the fact that I am growing up, but they have to let me!

My mother was not happy when she answered the door to see the Jackson brothers, who told them I had invited them round. Even Ricky looked annoyed with me, but I do not care! Chase and I are now in the study alone, getting some work done which makes me very happy. Something else my parents do not understand!

"I was not expecting to hear from you tonight, Beth?"

"Let's just say my family is doomed. We can not spend an hour together without someone getting upset."

"I'm sorry, I had no idea."

"Don't worry about it, Chase."

I'm not going to tell him just yet about thos trip my parents are forcing me to take. But I will tell him before he leaves tonight. I just hope he can help me through it, unlike my brother!

I still can not believe Ricky is on their side! After watching me help so many people and the constant run around!

I am struggling to focus on the questions Chase needs help with, which is not a good thing! I am supposed to be helping him, but I can not do it! At least not 5. I thought having him here with his books would help me forget my problems for a little while. Instead, I am just overthinking them!

"Beth, are you okay?"

"Not really."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"My parents are going to the USA for work in two weeks' time, and they are taking me with them for two weeks! Ricky will he staying here. But I do not get a choice!" Chase looks shocked, but I can see him trying to think about what to say. This is what I like about Chase, he thinks before he speaks.

"That is why everyone is angry tonight? I think you going away might be just what you need. A little break from working so much. You are twelve, Beth. You should be out playing with friends, meeting boys, and going on first dates despite what Ricky says. Your dairies should be covered in love hearts and a boys name. Not helping someone study every single night after school. You need to live in your childhood before you move on to your adulthood. Right now, you are working as hard and as long as your parents!"