1.10 Don't let it ruin your life

Kirsten finally had the place to herself. She was excited about Darren coming over she'd never met a man quite like him before. Her instinct was telling her that he could be the one her Mr right. One thing was sure she couldn't wait and find out. There was a knock at the door and Kirsten had butterflies in her stomach when she opened the door and saw Darren standing there.

"Hay there. You look...beautiful."

Kirsten was blushing but replied, "Thanks. Go through." Darren got closer to her and asked, "You know seen as we have the place to ourselves, why not umm...have dessert if you know what I mean."

Estevan was not impressed Matt was late, "What time do you call this?"

"Sorry we were shooting hoops. Uncle Estevan this is Jake and Andrew."

"Hi boys, take a seat. Mathew tell me what happened."

"I told you this asshole approached me, knew my name and then told me to give you a message something about deals and then gave me these black eyes. Uncle Estevan what is going on?"

Estevan made his answer simple without going into detail, "I've made choices that some would not agree with. I've had many reasons as to why I did what I did. Unfortunately you leaving home meant you became an easy target but I will sort it out."

Matt maybe young but he wasn't stupid either, "You mean drugs don't you. And this is the reason for my black eyes."

Estevan was taken aback that Matt was blunt with him, "I under estimated you. Yes you are right but I'm done with it. This just a loose end I need to tie up."

"And Dad?"

"He was never part of it. I kept that promise to your Aunt Heather."

"Let's see the place you are staying at."

They walked home talking about family mostly. Matt asked after everyone especially his cousin Art. They approached the beginning of the boardwalk which wasn't far from the house. As Matt pointed out the house to Estevan they heard a scream coming from the house. Jake ran towards the house because it was Kirsten's voice followed by the others.

Kirsten was screaming at Darren, "Get off me."

"I don't think so. Where's your boyfriend, Matt?"

"He's not my boyfriend. Now get off." Darren had pinned her to the bed and his grip was getting tighter. Kirsten started to cry with the pain as the grip tightened around her wrists.

"Scream all you like but we are going to have some fun. After all this is what you like isn't it?"

Kirsten was now in pain and terrified, "Please get off me." Darren was getting more angry at her and was about to undo his trousers when Jake grabbed him and threw him on the floor. He was about to beat the guy up when he heard Kirsten crying and running away in the other room.

He was now torn go after his sister or get this guy. Andrew was full of rage and told him to go and look after Kirsten. Darren got up and went for Andrew but he got in first. 

He punched Darren sending him flying but Andrew wasn't done he wanted this guy to pay for what he did. 

Estevan grabbed him and quietly said, "I know your secret Andrew now go and see if she's ok and I'll deal with him. This is the guy causing trouble." He put Andrew down and he walked away angry.

"Matt go with your friends. Darren and I have business to discuss." He dragged him outside and threw him to the wall. "How dare you go after Matt?"

"Fuck you." Darren spat as a grin came across his face.

Estevan grabbed him, "You shouldn't be laughing, Darren. You hurt an innocent young girl as well. You are one sick guy. I think its lunch time."

"Yeah well I'll skip lunch if you don't mind."

"I wasn't asking, Darren. Did I forget to mention you are the lunch?"

Kirsten just cuddled into her brother, "Sis its ok. You are safe now."

Andrew was by her side, "Is there anything I can get you?"

"I just want Jakey."

Holding her he replied, "I'm here sis."

Andrew was enraged and walked out of the room where he banged his fist on the wall. Matt followed him and quietly said, "Kirsten is fine."

Through gritted teeth he replied, "Look at the state of her. I don't think she will ever recover." Estevan walked back in and stated, "It's all sorted."

Andrew was angry, "Where is that bastard?"

Estevan firmly said, "Look I've dealt with the situation and he won't be hurting anyone anymore."

Estevan went to the room where Jake and Kirsten were sitting together. He crouched down by Kirsten and asked, "Are you ok?" Kirsten just looked at him and nodded.

"Listen to me. He won't hurt you again I promise. Just so you know your Mr Right is out there and he's closer than you think so don't give up and let that excuse of a guy ruin your life. I'll stay a day or two to make sure you guys are alright."

Kirsten finally spoke, "Thank you." Hazel ran to Kirsten side and told her that she got a phone call from Matt who told her what happened. "Come on Kirst you need to rest and I'll stay with you."

When they got upstairs Kirsten went and changed in her PJ's and laying on Hazel's bed said, "Matt's Uncle said something strange. He told me Mr Right is closer than you think. What does he mean?"

Hazel looked puzzled but said, "I honestly don't know Kirst but what I know is you need to rest."

1.9 Not again

"Mr Morgan please do we have to go through this every time?"

"My Grandfather died three years ago and I'm still signing papers? What is going on?"

"Mr Morgan, Andrew. I was your grandfather's solicitor for over 20 years. Unfortunately even though you had, what money was left in his bank account the paper work is not that straight forward?"

"It must be sorted soon; I mean I'm fed up with signing papers all the time."

"I understand but in the mean time if more paper work arises I will have to have your signature till then but I will try and get all this cleared as soon as I can. Just out of interest do you have a partner?"

"What a girlfriend? I wish but I hope one day, I will."

"Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today, Andrew."

After he had closed the door, he lay on the couch wondering what Mr Davis meant. Andrew was just falling asleep when he heard voices coming through the door. When he sat up he saw a new guy arms wrapped around Kirsten.

When she finally noticed Andrew was there she said, "I told Jake I need the place this afternoon."

"Well I didn't get the message, did I?"

The guy with a nasty tone said, "Oh someone is grouchy, not getting any mate."

"I'm not your mate so piss off."

Kirsten was in shock at Andrew's behaviour, "Sorry you will have to leave." After the guy left she turned on Andrew. "What was that about?"

"Why is it every time I turn around you have a new guy?"

"Andrew it's none of your business."

He wanted to tell her but didn't know how too after all this time and didn't want get into a full blown argument with her so before leaving the room replied, "You really can't see what's in front of you."

Kirsten shouted, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Matt needed time on his own. After he almost kissed Hazel his mind was all over the place. He decided to try rock climbing in the hope his head would figure thing out for him. He climbed up the rock and with every step found it was not only fun but easy for him. 

He kept thinking do I ask her out? Do we need to talk first? Maybe it was one of those spur of the moment things and that's it.

When he got to back to the bottom his phone started to ring. He saw that it was Estevan so he answered, 

"Uncle Estevan, what is going on?"

"Are you on your own?"

"Yes but..."

"What did Will tell you?"

"I know but I needed to get out of the house. I'm fine by the way."

"Sorry Mathew but your Dad is concerned about you and when Will told us what happened, well let's just say I promised your Dad to fix this."

"You mean Dad is pissed at you? Is he ok?"

"Yes he's fine he will speak to you later but I just phone to say, I'll be there tomorrow to sort the mess out."

"What...you are coming but you never..."

Estevan interrupted Matt, "When it's family I sort things out personally. 2.00pm tomorrow at Lucky Dive and don't be late."

Kirsten was about to leave the house when Jake asked, "Where are you off too?

 "I'm going to get a job."

Jake asked, "Why now all of a sudden?"

"Dad is not going to control me and besides maybe Hazel is right, a nice guy could be waiting for me in the workplace."

Kirsten went from one place to another handing her CV to various companies. She had almost given up hope when a guy approached her, "Hello there. Are you alright?"

"Trying to find a job but no such luck."

"This is an office block you may have luck in there if you haven't tried in there already."

"Thanks for the tip."

"Once you get the job would you like to go out later?"

Kirsten couldn't resist after he had been so helpful, "Ok, I'll meet you at lucky dive around eight."

"I have a better idea. Your place tomorrow at 1.00pm.

"Sounds like fun, ok meet there. Here is the address."

 I'm Darren by the way and your name is."

"Kirsten."

He kissed her hand, "Till tomorrow, Kirsten."

1.8 Moving on

"Hay Snow."

Hazel left Matt on the phone as she knew this was something he needed to do.

Hazel had only just got the bottom of the stairs when Kirsten told her to go outside. Once they were outside she asked, "Well did you tell him?"

"Well sort of..."

"What do you mean, sort of?"

"We almost kissed but his phone rang and its his ex on the phone."

"What!! And he answered the damn phone."

"Kirsten I think it's something he needs to do."

"Congratulations Snowie you deserve it. Listen about..."

"It's ok Matt after thinking long and hard and reading your letter you were right you needed to do this. We would have broken up eventually besides when you come home I will have gone back home. I want us to keep in touch."

"I'd like that Snow, I really would. Take care."

"You too. Bye."

Matt went straight to bed after that call and so did the others. He wanted to speak to Hazel but decided now was not a good time. Hazel kept tossing and turning in her bed wondering what was going on.

Jake fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Andrew couldn't sleep either as his feelings for Kirsten were starting to get to him and it didn't help that he was going through a dry spell. He had been tempted a few times to go upstairs and make love to her but with no privacy, his best friend, her brother Jake would kill him. He would have to settle for dreaming for now.

Kirsten lay in her bed wondering would she ever find her Mr right and was he even out there. However, she thought I could still have fun in the mean time. Kirsten had now decided tomorrow was find a job day, any job so she could prove to her Dad she could survive on her own. Then she would treat herself to a date.

Andrew got the mail the next morning and there was a letter for Jake and it read,

Dear Mr Decker,

We received your application to join the fire station and after careful consideration we are pleased to inform you that your training will start at 8am on Monday. While you are training you will be expected to live at the fire house for one week. So please bring some items with you. Food and board will be provided for the duration of your stay.

Once again welcome to the fire service and we wish you every success in your career with us.

Yours sincerely

Mr T. Long

Jake was now on a high, "I got in, I got in."

Kirsten asked, "What are you going on about Jakey?"

"I applied ages ago to the fire service and I because I hadn't heard anything I thought that was it but this letter says I got in."

Kirsten hugged Jake, "I'm so pleased for you. When do you start?"

"Monday and I will be staying there for my training. Where are you going?

"I have a date."

"Kirsten not again, please tell me at least it's the same guy."

"Jakey, it isn't the same guy. Anyway you do the same thing."

"Kirsten it is different. I mean you should have a steady boyfriend."

"Don't tell me to have a steady boyfriend when you don't know what a steady relationship is." yelling at him. 

"Make sure the house is clear this afternoon because if all goes well I'll be bringing him back here." Kirsten stormed out of the house and Jake shouted after her, "Fine sis but be warned this conversation is not over."

Hazel often escaped to the beach to think and today was no exception. Sunbathing usually helped her clear her mind but nothing could help free her mind of last night. 'Why didn't Matt come and talk to me after the phone conversation.  Shit, they are getting back together but I want him. Why are all the good looking guys with a sweet personality taken?

I'm never going to find anyone and with Matt living at the same place, I'm going to so want him. To run my hands...Hazel stop it. It's over before it began and you're going to have to face facts Matt and this Snowie girl are going to be a couple again.' Hazel started to walk home deflated at the thought of what might have been.

Kirsten spotted Hazel and went over to her, "You look miserable. Do you want to talk?"

"Don't you have a date?"

"I do but another 20 minutes won't hurt. Tell me what's up."

"Matt didn't speak to me last night after the call he just went to bed. I want him so much but I think he is getting back with her."

"I just play the field but I think you need to talk to him before jumping to conclusions."

"Kirst, I can't talk to him what would say? Oh I know, remember the kiss that never was...the call from you're ex..."

"Hazel stop it. How do you know Matt is back with her? Are you basing this because he didn't talk to you...just talk to him ok? Now I have to run for my date."

"You need to have a relationship too, you know Kirst."

"I will when Mr Right comes along but I'm going to have fun in the mean time. See you later."

1.7 Aftermath

Andrew called for the girls as they walked in the door; they were horrified to see the state on Matt.

Hazel demanded to know what happened, "He got into a fight." Jake answered.

"I'm fine; it's just a bit of blood."

Hazel and Kirsten both agreed he needed treatment and Kirsten told him to sit in the living room while they got some stuff to help with the bleeding.

"You could tell him now, while you are treating him."

"Kirst it's not the time or the place." as they went back to living room. Matt sat on the sofa and when Hazel tried to help treat him, Matt yelled, "Leave it I said I was fine."

As the others watched Hazel replied, "I'm trying to help."

Matt was angry and with his harsh tone, "Well I don't need your help, ok."

Hazel ran out of the room in tears and Kirsten stuck up for her and spat back, "She was trying to help you. 

She wasn't the one that upset you so don't take it out on her." The boys had never seen Kirsten defend a friend before and were impressed.

"I think you need to apologise to Hazel." Andrew voiced.

Matt knew they were both right and he went off to find her.

Jake asked when he left the room, "Ok sis, what the hell was that about?"

"I just stuck up for a friend."

"Out with it." Jake insisted

"There is nothing to tell." Jake didn't believe a word but decided to drop it for now.

Matt was banging on the bathroom door, "Hazel, pleased speak to me."

"Go away."

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just mad at this guy who I don't know."

"I tried to help you...you know be helpful and you throw it back in my face."

"We promised no more yelling and look at us. I know you're still mad at me but I do need to clean my face, please can I come in." Hazel unlocked the door and stood in the doorway looking at Matt.

"The bathroom is all yours." He stared at her and smiled as he passed her. 

Once the door closed he cleaned up and then fell to the floor wondering what just happened between them but put it quickly out of his mind as he needed to sort out what had happened earlier. He called home and Will answered, "Hi."

"Uncle Will is Dad there?"

"No but how's the trip going?

Trying not to sound upset, "Really good."

"Matt, are you sure?"

"It's great and..."

"Matt, I can read minds so don't lie."

"Ok, a guy approached me and asked if my name was Mathew Dark and said we had business to discuss but I don't know him. Then he said something about Uncle Estevan and severing deals, whatever that means."

"What did he look like?" Matt gave him the description and then Will spoke.

"Listen Matt, I'll speak to my Dad then get back to you. Just don't go out on your own."

"What!"

"Matt I mean it."

"Fine but I don't like it."

Hazel was waiting outside the bathroom, "Why phone home and not the police?"

"I don't know but since a young kid, you knew something was not right but never ask questions and any issues tell family first. My Dad's sister married into the family and when Dad and I needed somewhere to stay the family helped out. Why am I telling you all this?"

"Maybe you need to tell someone."

"Well I'm not allowed out without supervision. I'm supposed to be having fun and now this."

"Well you have us to help." Matt smiled at her and suddenly he wanted to kiss her. 

He moved closer towards her. Hazel could see how close he was getting and she started to close her eyes when his phone rang. He couldn't believe the timing but thought it was Uncle Will calling back but the ID said, Snowie.