Resolution

'Hey, thanks for coming over.'

'Okay...? It's no hardship! No need to thank me. I enjoy spending time with you.'

'Jude... I'm not sure you're going to enjoy this. We need to talk. That's why I asked you to come over.'

'Oh, shit... what's wrong?'

'Just... let's go sit down.'

'Hello, Jude.'

'Oh, hi, Mr Farrington... Hey, if you're wanting to talk, shouldn't we go somewhere private?'

'Edward wants to talk too.'

'Don't look so worried, Jude. You're not in trouble.'

'That's good... Then what's all this about? I feel like I'm about to be questioned by the police or something.'

'Sorry, I know I'm acting weird over this. Thing is, we're just concerned about you. We found out about the fighting ring.'

'Oh. Crap.'

'And Austin hit you, didn't he? What happened?'

'Shit, how did you find out? Was this Stanley who told you...?'

'Yes. He came to talk to us about Austin, and he mentioned what you had told him.'

'Jude, please, tell us everything! You've been insisting you're fine for ages, but you're not, are you? And the bruise didn't come from wrestling, did it?'

'...No, you're right, it didn't. I'm really sorry. I wanted to tell you, but...'

'Tell us now. In your own time.'

'...The bruise did come from Austin.'

'I was sick of him looking at me like I was shit on his shoe every time he came over to visit Mum, so I got into an argument with him.'

'It escalated, and he lashed out at me and gave me that black eye.'

'That was months ago... I said to tell me if he did anything! Why didn't you?'

'Charon, let her finish.'

'Look, I'll get to it. When he hit me, I hit him back. Then I got scared that I'd made him really mad, and I thought he was gonna do worse...'

'So I panicked, and I didn't wanna give him the chance. I just kept hitting him again and again until I had him on the floor.'

'Then Mum walked in, at that point.'

'She was furious. She saw I had the upper hand and wouldn't believe he was the one who was violent first. I tried to tell her, but she was having none of it...'

'Oh, Jude...'

'...She kicked me out of the house. Made me pack a bag and leave, and told me to not come back. I couldn't do anything about it. I'd already turned 18, there was nothing I could do.'

'Your mother threw you out onto the streets?!'

'Uh huh... So that's the reason I got the job with Seth-'

'You're homeless?!'

'Not any more. I was, for a while. I managed to cope... I hid it well. I still had a gym membership, and it's 24 hours, so I managed to shower regularly. So it's not like I was sleeping rough.'

'Even so, that must've been horrible, especially with all the stress of school.'

'I stopped our counselling sessions so you wouldn't find out. And, well, that's why I was sure Austin wasn't a risk to me any more. I haven't been back home since. I haven't even seen him since that night.'

'That's good... Okay, so tell us about Seth.'

'I've seen the gang running round my area. I knew a bit about them, who did what. I knew Seth ran the fights and I knew he went to the Old Horse Pub sometimes, so I found him and asked him for a job. He trialled me, I passed.'

'Why him? Why... that?'

'Well, the reason I was booted out in the first place is because I managed to kick a grown man's ass, so I figured I'd at least be good at it. I needed money, and there's no way I'd get a proper part time job with no address.'

'Sadly, that's very true... Did you not seek help elsewhere? Did you tell anyone about what had happened?'

'No... Look, Charon, I was really desperate to tell you. I wanted nothing more than to be able to confide in you. But... well, it was a few things. I was ashamed and blaming myself over it. I didn't wanna worry you. I knew you already had a lot on your mind with Tate... and finally, irrational and stupid as it was, I didn't wanna risk you not believing me, like Mum did...'

'Oh, man. I'm so sorry.'

'It's okay, Jude. I believe you. It's not your fault...'

'He's right. You're certainly not to blame for his violence. I understand how shame is a powerful thing, how it stops people from seeking help. But you have a lot of support, even if it's not coming from where it should be.'

'I meant it when I said I was here for you.'

'Charon, you've been the one bright spot in all of this. Even with it all going to shit, I knew if I powered through it, I'd still be able to spend time with you. You were always able to cheer me up.'

'Good.'

'Well, now we need to find some solutions for your problems. You said you're not homeless any more? Where are you living?'

'...Seth's sofa. Didn't really anticipate that being my first experience moving in with a guy...'

'Just making a little joke! Though it was weird, when we were in the pub, that Rozalina presumed we were a couple.'

'Like, hell no. I like him, but not like that. Way too old for me. He's not interested either, he's seeing someone else.'

'Stanley insists he's a good person. I'm a little sceptical because of your hiring, but I do trust his judgement.'

'Oh, yeah, he's been really good to me, honest. He felt bad about it when I told him about my situation. It was never his intention to use me.'

'I'm glad. Still, I must suggest you find alternative living arrangements. It's not suitable.'

'Yeah, you're right.'

'I'll help you. We must be able to find you somewhere to stay. And with you being still in school, I'm sure you must be entitled to some kind of funding. I'll look into these details.'

'Can she stay here until then?'

'With me being employed at the school, I believe that would be frowned upon. And I'm not sure what your father would think...'

'Worth a shot. But hey, as long as she's somewhere safe, I'm happy.'

'Thanks for being so understanding, both of you. I really appreciate it.'

'No need to thank us. Just promise you'll ask for help in the future when you need it, okay? And no more lies.'

'I will, and I promise, no more lies.'