This is part of a series and must be read through the end to understand. It's long I know but only way to get full effect. Kind of old too but don't hold that against me.

After School

The girl's name is Brooklyn.
Her friends are
Tess,
Chloe,
And Roxanne.
After school,
Brooklyn invites me to hang-out.
I think back to yesterday,
Dad will be drunk.
Mom's nursing her wounds.
If I go home,
Who knows what my fate may be?
"Well?"
Brooklyn prompted
Followed by a chorus
Of voices coming from the others.
Their invitation is like a beacon
From my pain.
"Sure," I reply
With that same goofy smile
Like I had at lunch.
"Great," replies Brooklyn.
We head off down the road,
Chattering like mice,
And it feels good
To just be in the company
Of friends.