-Chapter 1

  I could hear him coming closer to my door, his breaths more of forceful growls. I could hear him snarling, the all-to-familiar clink of metal. " I know you're in there, Jack.." I swallowed, trying to keep my cries silent. My sweaty, shaky hand gripped my baseball bat firmly as they could. I held my younger brother, James, close to me. I could tell he was struggling to keep his sobs under a whisper. I kissed his forehead shakily, keeping my eyes on the door, ready to attack. 

 My heart beat faster, and faster. "It's alright, James.." I whispered to him. No response. He was shaking and crying harder than ever. I heard a loud pounding on the flimsy wooden door that blocked me from the horrid man I refuse to call my father.

 He pounded on the door repeatedly until there was a hole, where the tip of a hand-gun poked through. I felt my breath hitch as I heard him fumbling with the trigger. His evil laughter could kill. 

 Suddenly, I heard the heart-stopping sound of a gunshot and-

 I woke up with a scream, tears flowing down my cheeks like a waterfall. A sob escaped my mouth as I attempted to cover it with my hand. My room was hot, and sticky. Very humid. I could barely breathe, memories flooding my mind from that horrible day. 'The Day Our Lives Fell Apart', as James and I called it.

 I choked on a sob as I tried to swallow, my throat throbbing painfully. James came running in, nearly tripping on my fluffy rug. "John! John! What's wrong?!?!" He asked frantically, jumping onto my bed, and wrapping his frail arms around my small frame. "N-Night- M-Mare.." I managed to choke out. I covered my face with my hands. "God! You're burning up!" He exclaimed before getting up and hurriedly turning on the ceiling fan that hung above the center of my room. "I can get my small fan also, if you need it!" He asked, getting ready to sprint out the door for his little fan. I shook my head and bawled, the sobbing sound coming to a halt.

  " Oh, Jackie.. I'm so sorry this keeps happening.." James said sympathetically, a sorrowful expression on his face. I took a deep breath. "I-Its.. o-okay.." I whispered. I closed my eyes for a moment. "Do you want me to fetch you some water?" He asked. I hesitated before nodding. My mouth felt drier than the Sahara Desert. He nodded and made his way downstairs. I could hear his foot-steps becoming inaudible as he ran down the steps. 

 I took deep breaths, remembering what my mother told me to do. "respirer, entre et sortir."

 I played her voice in my head over, and over again until my breaths became regular. James came running into my room with a bottle of water, Mom trailing behind. "Honey, are you okay!?" She asked, hurriedly making her way to my bed. I nodded, taking a sip of the water bottle. "I'm okay.." She hugged me, and I hugged her back. James joined in the group hug. This is what I wanted. Real love. I hated my father with all of the rest of my heart that's left. I loved my dear brother, and mother. "Did you have another nightmare, Honey?" Mom asked in a whisper as she pulled from the hug. Her hand stayed on my arm, while James clung to my side as if he were a leech. I nodded slowly, my eyes glazed with tears. I pursed my lips as if it'd stop the tears from falling once again. 

 "I'll get you guys' breakfasts ready, okay? How does homemade french toast sound, Dear?" She asked, giving me a sympathetic smile. I smiled back as much as I could while replying, "I'd love that.." I whispered. She kissed James and I's foreheads before making her way down to the kitchen. "It's about 7:00.. We need to get ready for school, okay Jackie?" He said, looking up at me. I smiled a small smile at him. "Okay, Jemmy." I said, tugging the blankets from my over-heated body. He sighed and got up from my bed, giving me one last hug before running off to his room. I slowly slid myself from my bed, to my wheelchair. 

 I wheeled myself to my dresser, opening up the top drawer. I peeked my head over it just enough to see the contents. I reached inside and pulled out a blue and white striped tank top, and closed the drawer, moving to the next one down. Inside were shorts, and pants. I picked out some dark-wash denim shorts, that had a small green turtle stitched to one of the pockets. My mom sewed it on for my birthday, a few months ago, when I turned fifteen. It was a pretty happy birthday. My best friends, Hercules and Lafayette came over and spent the night. Let's just say, we got high on candy that night. I chuckled lightly at the memory, reaching into the last drawer, which contained personal items, such as underwear. I got plain black underwear, with matching socks, and laid my clothes into my lap.

 I sighed tiredly and wheeled myself down the hall the the bathroom, knocking on the door to make sure it was empty. I nodded to myself and pushed the door open, reavealing the sea-themed bathroom. James insisted it be themed around dolphins and turtles. I mean, I'm not complaining about those turtles! I pushed myself up with my arms to get on the stool that sat right in front of the vanity. I reached for my toothbrush and brushed my teeth, smiling at the mirror. Next, I brushed my curly hair, pulling it into the usual low ponytail. I attempted to wet down the baby hairs that stood up from my head, but to no avail. Oh well!

 I wheeled myself down the hall, back into my room and changed. It was always rather hard getting my underwear and pants on, but I've gotten use to it. I don't need help anymore. I'm a big boy!

 I reached for my feet, trying to get the socks on. I didn't want to have to ask James, or Mom to put them on for me. However, as if on cue, James came running in, holding a poptart. "I found this in the pantry! She thought they were all gone!" He whisper yelled, snickering. That's my trouble making James! I chuckled with him. "A'ight. I'll take one!" I whispered. "Also, could you help me get my other sock on.. and my shoes?" I asked sheepishly. "Of course!" He smiled brightly, handing me a Smore's Poptart. "Mm! This looks yummers!" I exclaimed, eyeing the chocolate pastry. "Yep! So eat it up before she finds out!" He giggled, slipping the sock onto my foot. "Which shoes do you wanna wear today, Jackie?" He asked, pawing through the shoes I had under my bed. I swallowed the piece of poptart before answering. "Ehh.. Just the grey sneakers I always wear." I said, trying to take a look under my bed. 

 James tied the shoe laces before standing up, and literally inhaling the poor poptart. He was to young to go! *que the funeral music*

 The familiar smell of cinnamon made its way into my nose and I quickly made my way down the small ramp beside the stairs. I felt so special because the man that built out house, included the ramp just for me! Not to mention James loves to slide down it, but that's beside its purpose.

 I wheeled over to the table, a plate of french toast in front of me. I smiled. "Thanks mom! This looks so good!" I gushed, drizzling honey over the bread. 

 After I'd eaten breakfast I walked- well, Wheeled with James to school. James was just a couple grades lower than me, so he was in eight grade. As we neared James' school I stopped at the entrance. "Have a good day at school, Jamie. Text Mom whenever you get to your last class, okay?" I asked, trying to be the responsible big brother I should be. "Kk, Jackie! You have a good day to!" He waved as he made his way into the building. 

 I sighed, looking at my phone to see how much time I had left. Ten minutes until 7:30. "Shit.." I mumbled, trying to wheel myself to the high school. 

 As I got there people stared at me as usual. I was that odd kid that always sat in a wheelchair. Most people just learned to ignore me, but some people used my disadvantages to their advantages. Sucks to be me? Hell yeah.

 I wheeled down the hall, my eyes fixated on my locker, which was dead ahead. I quickly made my way over to it, putting in the combination, and getting out a couple of textbooks. I was lucky to have a low locker, that's for sure. 

 Suddenly, someone ran into my wheelchair, making it topple over. Luckily, it didn't fall. Me on the other hand? .. well, let's just say my bum will be bruised tomorrow...

 "Oh shit! I'm so sorry! Here.. u-uh.. let me help you!" Said a panicked male voice. I looked up from the floor to see a boy around my age. Nah dip, John. Everyone here is your age.. well, except for the teachers... I gulped. "I-Its okay.. I'm fine, really.." I said barely above a whisper. The boy was quite cute, to be honest. His hair was a deep brown color, hanging just below his ears. He had wide, wild brown eyes that shimmered with worry. "Are you sure?" He asked. I nodded. "Accidents happen.." "Uhh.. here.. um.." his eyes adverted everywhere but to my own eyes. I just sat there, not really knowing what to do. He finally held his hand out, looking in my eyes for approval. I slowly reached my hand out, placing it in his. His hands were soft, and ever-so gentle. He smiled sheepishly, while helping me into my chair. He made sure I was okay, before introducing himself, correctly.

 "I'm Alexander Hamilton, but you can call me Alex." He said with a smile. "John, John Laurens," I told him, setting my hands into my lap. 

 I could feel my chest tightening as I looked at him. He was beautiful from a closer view.

 Oh no.. not again, dammit..