Roy was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree and child abuse.
~
Heather left after school ended. "I miss Heather." Benji sighed.
Pixley stood and jumped on the trampolean, disturbing Joel from his sleep. "You said that five minutes ago."
Joel looked at Pixley. "Pain." He muttered.
"I know." She grinned. She knelt next to Joel and ran her fingers through his hair.
Benji sighed and rolled off the trampolean. "Just screw and get it over with." He said, walking into Pixley's house.
Pixley laughed at Benji. "You got a set tonight."
"I know. You coming?"
"Course." She smiled.
~
That night Pixley was in the mosh pit while GC was on stage. They were in the middle of 'Seasons' when it happened. There was a gunshot. Pixley grabbed her side and fell to the floor. Joel jumped off the stage and knelt next to Pixley. "Pixley."
Pixley smiled at Joel. "I'm fine."
"oh my God, is she OK?" A girl asked.
"Which way'd he go?" Benji asked.
"That way." A guy said, pointing to the exit.
Billy ran off the stage and out the exit with Benji close behind. He saw a guy running down the street, gun in hand. Billy tackled him to the ground. "Why her?" He asked, punching him in the face.
Benji caught up to Billy. He looked at the guy and kicked the gun away. The guy looked up at Benji. "I just picked someone." Benji glared at him and kicked him in the side.
"Son of a bitch. Why shoot anyone at all?"
The guy shrugged. "For the thrill."
~
"She'll be OK. It's just a flesh wound."
Joel looked at the girl kneeling next to him. "Who are you?"
"Chelsea," She looked at Pixley's side. "She'll be fine, it only grazed her side."
Joel picked up Pixley. Paul cleared a way to the exit. "Joel, why do you care?" She asked.
"Because..." He always avoided the question.
~
Benji and Billy let the club security take care of the shooter. They got to the hospital and waited with Joel, Paul and Chelsea.
"OK, Chelsea, do you know Pix?" Benji asked.
"Sorta. We went to private school together."
"Hey guys." Pixley smiled and slowley walked over to Joel.
"Hey. We called your mom; she's at work, but she's coming." Paul said, standing so Pixley could sit.
Benji looked at Pixley. "I guess we're just bad luck."
"No. You're just around when bad things happen."
Pixleys mom came into the waiting room. "Pixley. What happened?"
Joel explained what had happened. "We can take her home."
Her mom nodded. "Thanks. I have to go back to work, so I'll see you when I get home." She hugged Pixley, smiled and left.
Joel and Benji took Pixley home. Chelsea went home with Billy and Paul.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Joel didn't look at Pixley. "What question?"
"Why do you care?"
Benji smirked. "Cuz he wants to screw you."
"Shut up." Joel smacked Benji.
Benji sighed and went to the door. "Go ahead and screw, I'll leave you alone." He to the backyard and began jumping. "EW! Close the curtains!" Benji yelled.
Joel flipped off his brother and closed the curtains. Pixley smiled at Joel. "We weren't even doing anything yet."
Joel laughed. "Yet being the opperative word." He grinned and sat on the bed.
Benji got bored of jumping and went to the kitchen. He heard some things that he wished he hadn't and tried to block them out. "Joel! Pixley's mom is home."
Joel ran into the kitchen, buttoning his jeans. "I didn't hear her car."
"Maybe that's because she's still at work?" Benji laughed.
Pixley came out of her room wearing Joel's shirt and a pair of random jeans. She looked around. "Where's mom?"
Benji started laughing. "At work, I'm guessing."
Joel glared at his brother. Pixley smacked Benji's arm. "You ass." She laughed.
"I'm an ass?" Benji pointed to himself.
"You just said you were." Joel pointed out.
Benji sighed and went back outside. Pixley grinned at Joel just as her moms car pulled up. "Shit." She cursed under her breath. She pulld off the shirt, gave it to Joel and ran back to her room.
Joel put on the shirt and went to the backyard. Pixley changed then climbed out her window to the backyard. She sat on the trampolean between Joel's legs.
Benji looked at them. "I'm not leaving you alone again."
"Why? Did they do the nasty?"
Benji turned to see Heather standing behind him. "What are you doing here?"
"Mom got sick, so we came back." She smiled and sat between Benji's legs. Benji grinned and held Heather close.